Over Sixty Spring 2022 Digital

20 LIFESTYLE ISSUE 2 | 2022 | OVERSIXTY.COM.AU WIN! Tommy, the Barista MUSKAN FATIMA Three years ago, I had a ginger tabby named Tommy, who was probably one of the laziest cats you’ll ever meet. He wouldn’t even get up to greet me in the morning. However, he was very observant and would take in everything with his delicate, dark green eyes. One chilly autumn morning, during my final-year exams, I was extremely worried about an exam I had later that day. For the first time ever, I forgot to turn on my coffee-making machine. I was already running late for school, so even if I had remembered, I wouldn’t have had time to enjoy it. While I was grabbing my books, hurrying to catch my bus, I heard my coffee machine start up. I dropped everything, and ran to the kitchen wondering, Who or what is in my house? As I entered the kitchen, to my surprise, I saw Tommy sitting on the kitchen counter right in front of the coffee machine. He had turned it on for me. He must have noticed that I forgot my morning coffee. So, I gave him a pat and drank coffee with him sitting on my lap, totally ignoring the fact that I was late. Not twigging on LISA COOPER My husband, Brett, is what you call a pigeon fancier. He keeps 20 king pigeons – a very large breed of pigeon. They are also very smart and entertaining. One day in spring, he witnessed a particularly funny sight. We keep the pigeons in a converted caravan complete with nest boxes. The male pigeons often hop outside to collect small twigs, as building a beautiful nest is imperative to keep the female pigeon happy. One pigeon, Red Checky, was busy hopping outside, finding the ideal twig, then hopping back inside and placing it in his beautiful nest. Another bird, Blue Barby, was watching carefully. He also wanted to build a nest, but he is lazy. Every time the industrious bird hopped out, the lazy one would sneak into the unguarded nest and raid it for twigs, all the while keeping a close eye out for Red Checky’s return. The performance went on for some time, with busy Red Checky wondering why his nest wasn’t getting any bigger, while lazy Blue Barby easily built his nest with stolen goods. I need alone time If your dog seems scared (because it’s hiding, say, or excessively panting) but is showing no obvious signs of distress, try giving it a break from people. Even the most attention-hungry houndcanbenefit fromhaving a calmspaceof its own to relax in, even if it’s just a crate. My tummy hurts If your dog arches its back while tucking its belly up, it’s in pain – likely gastrointestinal discomfort, but the pain could also be its back. A crouching cat could also be hurting, usually in the chest or abdomen. If any of these postures persist, have your vet help you pin down the issue. I might be depressed Pets have mental health needs too. Disinter- est in food or favourite activities is a telltale sign of depression. A dog that pulls its ears back is likely experiencing anxiety (or suf- fering from an ear infection). Mention these behaviours to your vet, and don’t be afraid to ask about pet antidepressants. EMILY GOODMAN PETS Y our pet can be hard to read, with an- imals’ sounds, facial expressions, and movements so different from those of hu- mans. We decoded them so you’ll be able to tell exactly what your pet wants in no time. Put down your phone Animals want our attention, and sometimes they’re quite overt about asking for it. Antics are our pets’ way of telling us to stop what we’re doing and play with them. A bored dog or cat may resort to “bad” behaviours to elicit a reaction – even a negative one! Feed me Sure, your dog loves you, but that’s not why it’s licking your face. A puppy learns to lick its mother’s mouth to snag a little leftover food, so your beloved pooch isn’t kissing you in our sense of the word; he just wants a snack. My tail tells all Dogs wag their tails to the right when they see something they want to approach and to the left when they see something they want to avoid. When frightened, dogs tuck their tails in, while cats wrap theirs around them- selves. And if a cat’s tail looks like a question mark, it’s itching to play. I’m stressed Cat owners also misread their furry friends’ kisses. While a cat might lick you to show affection, sometimes it’ll lick you to soothe itself – if the licking goes on for a long time it is more likely to be stress related. Birds also overgroom when they feel anxious, with some even plucking out their own feathers. Don’t dismiss my accidents A house-trained dog that suddenly goes to the bathroom on the carpet could simply be dehydrated, but it could also have kidney failure, liver disease or diabetes. And a cat that sprays outside its litter box might have Things your pet wants to tell you Here’s a little insight into some common pet behaviours kidney stones or a urinary tract infection, so mention your pets’ accidents to the vet, espe- cially if they keep happening. Once you rule out a medical issue, try getting another litter box for your cat. If it keeps missing, it prob- ably dislikes the box or wants another. (Cats generally need more than one.) My butt in your face is a compliment When a cat presents you with its behind, it means your pet sees you as amaternal figure; it used to do that as a kitten to get its mother to groom it. Another sure sign you’ve won its heart is if it blinks slowlywhile looking at you. It isn’t tired: It’s showing that it’s comfortable letting its guard down around you. Likewise, a dog that shows you its belly isn’t just invit- ing a rub. Rolling over is a sign of submission, which is how dogs convey trust. I can’t even look at you At some point, you’ve probably uttered these words to someone who made you angry. Dogs think similarly, avoiding eye contact with anyone who spoils their mood. Another sign of ire: yawning. A yawning pup may not be tired but agitated, not bored but stressed. Similarly, lip-licking – when there isn’t food around to trigger it – is another sign of duress. Let’s stay in You might think your pooch is running around the backyard, having the time of its life while you’re away. But the reality is that it’s most likely just sitting in one spot for hours, anxiously waiting for you to return. Dogs actually prefer to be inside, ideally with their owners. You make me so happy When they wiggle and wag their whole bod- ies, your dancing dogs and bouncing bun- nies are literally jumping for joy. Birds that bob up and down and cats that come when you call them are showing their appreciation for you. And when your pets put their paws on you, seemingly for no reason, they’re gen- tly showing you their gratitude. What if your pet should outlive you? How to prepare for the future care of your animal friend Enrolling in the RSPCA’s Home Ever After program ensures your pet will be provided with immediate care, should anything happen to you. The HEA team will help you create a detailed profile of your pet so they can match their needs with someone just like you. “Having a companion animal for most of us can be a deeply satisfying two-way emotional journey. That they may suffer fear, loss and uncertainty after our demise is unthinkable. The RSPCA Home Ever After program admirably solves this concern of mine.” Mike, Young, NSW For more, visit www.rspcansw.org . au/what-we-do/home-ever-after/ Above: Pets have their own special ways of letting you know what they’re thinking Photo and illustrations: Getty Images Share your tales of clever pets or wildlife and you could win a $250 voucher from House of Pets. See page 9 to contribute LIFESTYLE ANIMAL ESCAPADES These canny creatures run rings around their owners