Checking In

There isn't much happening with Penelope and Saké these days. Penn still spends a lot of time by their cage but Saké's tendency to grab Penn through the cage means that Penn mainly stays out of reach.

Checking each other out.

Penn is equally careful around Sushi. Saké has taught her well - trust no rat!

Cautiously aware of each other.

This all leaves Penn becoming bored rather quickly.

Unimpressed.

Saké Attacks!

I've posted before about Saké's endless fort building and baiting of our cat Penelope. This weekend I finally to record some of the action.

Most of the time, it turns out like this:



Saké does her best to attract Penn's attention while Penn is oblivious (in this case, Saké's under the towel but instead  Penn is watching Sushi upstairs.)

But then Saké is finally able to attract Penn's attention and draws her in as close as possible:


That was enough action for Penelope, who quickly decided to keep out of Saké's way:

Sushi and Penelope

Penelope is a regular topic of this blog, but it's usually Saké and Penelope who are mentioned. However, Sushi has finally decided that Penelope isn't much of a threat and mainly just ignores her.

I like this video for a couple of reasons. Penelope is really into Sushi but Sushi seems unimpressed. Plus, Saké is watching everything from her nest upstairs, but Penn seems unaware that she's even there.

Odd Couple

Quickly checking in with my favorite odd couple, Saké and Penelope continue their relationship. Saké is always willing to play, but any activity depends on how quickly Penn gets bored (or falls off the dresser).

Saké is trying to get Penn's attention but Penn is focused on Sushi (upstairs).

Saké and Penelope

We woke up the other morning to a pretty entertaining sight. Not only was Penelope sitting by the rat cage and she and Saké engaging in their usual antics (Penn putting her paws up on the cage front, Saké grabbing hold of them, etc.) but Saké was taking things a bit further. She moved some of her toys into the corner of the cage where Penn was sitting and it sort of looked like a makeshift fort. Then she moved a big chunk of cotton bedding over to where Penn was and began stuffing it through the bars of the cage. She spread it out  enough that it completely obscured the view of her behind it.

Penn went to bat at the bedding, and at that precise moment, Saké pulled it out of the way and jumped at Penn instead. It was as though we were watching Lucy pull the football away from Linus. Needless to say, Penn was a bit startled. After a few moments, Saké pushed the bedding back into place, Penn went to grab it, and again, Saké pulled it away and jumped straight at Penn!

I'm sure there are a lot of theories out there as to which species is smarter, rats or cats. I think I'm pretty sure of the answer.

Saké: smarter than a cat!

Cats and Rats, cont.

Common sense tells you that cats and rats shouldn't mix. Yet somehow, Saké and Penelope have developed an understanding, if not a relationship. If Penn climbs up next to the cage, Saké comes right to the front and will grab Penn's furry paws, sniff her, etc. Saké never appears upset or agitated when Penn is around, only interested.

We shot this video last week and while nothing particular happens in it, it is a great example of how Saké behaves whenever Penn is around. She is relaxed, interested, and does not hesitate to interact with a big cat. I realize this is not behavior to encourage for a multitude of reasons, but it works for these two.

Saké and Penelope

The other night I witnessed something I never expected. I've mentioned before the relationship between Saké and our cat Penelope. Penn spends hours sitting next to the rats' cage and Saké often interacts with her in different ways. They spend a lot of time nose to nose,  sniffing and watching each other, etc.

Last night, Penelope smacked the front of the cage with one of her paws, as she often does. But this time she caught one of her claws on the wire, preventing her from immediately pulling her paw away. Nearly immediately Saké ran up to her and grabbed onto the caught paw, one little ratty hand on each side.

It only lasted a few seconds before Saké released Penn and Penn freed her paw. Penelope just looked confused. I'm going to have to keep a camera handy in the future, so I don't miss documenting this. It was one of the cutest and most unexpected things I've seen.

Saké and Penelope - an unlikely duo.

Cats and Rats

We woke up yesterday morning to a terrific banging noise, as Penelope was hitting her paws repeatedly against the front of the rat cage. Saké was sitting immediately on the other side of the wire, looking at Penn impassively. I swear she just knows she safe and taunts Penn.

They are a long way from the cat and rat in this video, but perhaps someday....

Tormenting Penelope

Saké and Sushi are under near constant observation. However, they don't seem to mind and do an awful lot of observing themselves.

Penelope is unaware that she is being watched.

We have four cats. Two of them have never had an interest in the rats. The third, Marty, was interested initially but since he can't stay awake for more than a few minutes at a time, the charm of the rats quickly faded. However, our fourth cat, Penelope, has more than enough interest to make up for the rest of them.

Penelope stares at Sushi; Saké stares at Penelope.

Penelope spends most of her time sitting on the edge of the dresser next to the rat cage. Her paws are too fat to fit through the bars, so the most harm she can do is smack her paws against the front and try to bat the occasional tail that pops out. The rats learned quickly that Penelope is harmless in the current situation.

Penelope realizes that Saké is only inches away.

As a result, much of the time Penelope spends watching the rats is also time when the rats are watching Penelope. Sushi is far more cautious than Saké, who often goes nose to nose with Penelope.

Who will blink first?

Eventually, Penelope loses interest. Since she's our only cat who catches mice, I imagine she is aware of much more fun the rats could be, if only they were not confined.

Penelope looks unimpressed with the situation.

She always returns quickly though. She probably spends part of every hour checking in on the rats.

Watching the Bento Box

Most of the time, the rats are under close observation.

Penelope keeps tabs on the rats.

If you could scan down in this picture, there is also a yellow dog staring at the cage intently.