Running into the hallway

I originally found Cleo abandoned, huddling in a fire door on the tenth story of our apt building. I asked everyone on the floor if they were missing a cat. I even put up photos in the building and called all the shelters. Cleo was already fixed and declawed on all four paws which means someone put some money into her. The people who lived at the end of the hall (and the fire door) moved out that day so I always wonder if they just left her, or as our land lord suggested someone put her in the elevator as a joke and she got off on the top floor. When I picked her up for the first time she began to purr and lick me all over. She also nuzzled in close to my body and hugged me.

Five years later we are in a new condo in a new city and every time I come home from work Cleo is at the door. When it is opened she runs out into the hallway, all thew way to the end near the fire door, and rolls over submissively onto her belly and awaits me to pick her up and bring her inside.

Why do you think she does this? Can she remember when I first found her, or do you think she just likes the feeling of the hallway carpet on her paws?

Jason

That's a very interesting story. That was very sweet of you to take her in.

It sounds like a ritual she enjoys. Why exactly, I'm not sure. I think you're on the right track with the sensation theory.

I have a cat who would fall down, squirming and writhing on the linoleum floor by the back door whenever I got home (at our old house). That sounds like a pretty boring ritual, but - now that we're in a new place, he does the same thing - but the entryway is carpeted, so he goes to the nearest smooth floor to do his thing. It's funny because it's like he's happy to see me, but he has to trot away to get to the smooth floor . His first weeks of life were spent in our garage, where he would do the squirming thing on the smooth concrete. Many cats do this to some extent, but Junior - he takes it to a new level . We used to joke that something was wrong with his legs, because you can't talk to him without him falling over to squirm. I think it's an association thing.

I wonder to what extent they do remember? I mean all experience from 5 years ago lost unless it was a tramutic event that would cause an conditioned response do they forget everything? I'm sure your right about the sensation peice as we have hardwood floors and no carpet in the condo.

Jason

I saw an experiment on UK television-tele if you will, about dogs and cats somehow knowing when they're caretakers were on the way home. My 3 kids are always waiting at the door when I walk in. Most folks think it's because they hear them coming. That could be. But this experiment was begun 30 miles from the front doors of the home, and, was repeated several times. Most worked, some didn't. Once case in particular, had a shelty, who's owner left work at an odd time to go home. At that exact moment the Shelty went to the door and began waiting. The cat experiment didn't go as well, but in certain cases did work. They somehow knew they're caretakers were on the way home and were waiting for them impatiantly at the door inside. My gang just walks me into the apartment.

I'm sure the behavior you see is also due to the fact that your kittie is happy to see you. They are very social animals in most cases, although I did have one kittie that was a one cat house type of cat. Declawing front and back paws is so cruel, it also makes it impossible for the poor kittie to defend itself, that might have something to do with it. And just one more thing. Cat's do remember bad things that happened to them. I don't want to go into it, but, when there is cruelty to a kittie, they remember and try to make sure that whatever they did wrong, that they show affection to stop that cruelty. Hunger is also a factor in this type of behavior. Mike Medford, Ore

Interesting notes on the experiment. I think the declawing is cruel as well. When we found her she had cuts all over her face from fighting. When we left her alone for the first time with Ameratto we came home to find Ameratto huddling under the table with a huge bite mark on her back and blood all over the carpet. Cleo would also lie down in front of Ameratto's food dish and would not let her feed. Something very bad happend to Cleo before she came to us but I don't think we will ever find out what. Now she is overly effectionate, even to strangers she will rub and purr at them and sit in their laps. So maybe she is showing effection to everyone in hope of stopping any cruelty?

Jason

Good for you Jason for taking the kitty in and give her a good, loving home. I know our Precious is grateful for us taking her in. That was 2 1/2 years ago, she is still skittish when ever anyone tries to pick her up. But she is very loving.

Denise