Feline Music Critic Terrorizes Dog

by Stefanie
(Lambert, Montana)

Princess Bella Grumpy Beast has a unique taste in music. High pitched noise must hurt her ears. She absolutely cannot stand the BeeGees, bag pipes, flutes, etc. -- as well as our singing. When you whistle, she comes running, but if you're holding her or she can get to you, she nips your chin. At first Bella attacked the speakers, but it didn't take her long to figure out we were responsible for that horrible racket and began attacking our shoes. She boxes them with both paws and if there are laces, she does her best to untie them but usually ends up making sure they are in a good knot when she's done.
Bubby the dog is always in trouble too. Bella is a dainty calico who can't be more than 8 lbs, vs Bubby who goes about 60-65. When excited, Bubby has a high piercing bark and he gets excited a lot and so he's always looking over his shoulder, wondering from which direction the attack will come this time. Bella is very possessive of her human and can't stand it if Bubby is between her and me. When the whim takes her, she chases him off the bed or lays waiting in ambush underneath or between the pillows. The poor mutt is such a gentleman, putting up with it all, she jumps right on him and he runs and gets behind me for protection from the Beastie. I make sure he gets xtra treats some cuddles from me to make up for it. Even that she won't let him have in peace. She glowers at Bubby and then comes over demanding I pet her too. The Princess of Grump is probably a bit feral; she was found in a basement in New York City by a friend's daughter, very sick with some kind of respiratory and eye infection. She was brought to me (a 200 mile ride) and my vet got her well. She'd been standoffish with other animals but very attached to me, yet when the Beastie is in a grumpy mood, look out! This cat is Jekyll & Hyde! She growls and hisses at me and if I get too close, attacks me. Other times she is the sweetest little thing. Like many calicoes she has a funny gurgle to her purr and instead of meowing she makes a kind of croaking sound. She does this little silent meow thing, ... but I can't quite "trust" her around my face. And poor Bubby, the dog has become paranoid. Worst of all, it's become obvious the Princess is not going to allow a new cat in. My other 4 have passed on, all having lived between 18 and 24 years. I've always had more than one cat but I'm worried that she might injure a new cat especially a kitten. Bella hisses and growls when she sees other cats outside in the yard. Who's the boss here? I have a sneaky feeling it isn't me. Nope, I just pay the rent.