SCARED KOBAIN MAGAZINE ARTICLE

My cat, Kobain, is scared of me, right now, because I punched him in the face for eating off of my lunch plate that was sitting on my desk waiting for me to sit down and eat off of it. I bet that that poor cat Kobain doesn't know a full food plate from one with a few scraps left on it, and I, mostly, let him lick the scrap filled plates, though I don't really like him doing it.

I feel like shit. I love that fucking cat, and I do not want him scared of me. I do not like that I hit him harder than I should have; a tap on the nose with a finger, and a vocal NO would have been enough. I come from a place of violence; it is a lonely, painful place that I do not wish to return to: I still have scars, and a broken pinky from those drunken daze. I pray for guidance in this situation; I don't feel helpless, but there is, certainly, an element of helplessness to this that comes from doing something wrong when you did it without even thinking about it.

Kobain forgive me.

My dog, Bundy, might need to go to the vet because of the bite that he received, yesterday,from one of the two vicious dogs that live around the block from us. This sucks for Bundy, and will suck for me, as I will have to try to figure out how to pay for stitches for my poor dog. It amazes me how you can be going along living your life peacefully, when all of a sudden violence bursts in and takes over. This too shall pass, and that which doesn't kill me only makes me grow stronger.

Lisa: I did not press like because I like this entry about "punch" ing your cat, but I admire your honesty. Be sure it never happens again: to do that, anger-management is in order. Our companion animals deserve that we love them, not abuse them.

Michele: Oh, Mikel, I'm so sorry this is going on. Violence begets violence for sure. There must have been some stagnant leftover energy from the dog-bite yesterday. Forgive yourself, Kobain will, if not already.

Michele: And I hope you find someone to help with Bundy. Try the Humane Society. They may take care of the stitches for you. You must not let it get infected. What about the owner of the dog that bit him?

Lisa: Michele, I agree... Probably left- over anger. Please seek help for you--Mikel, and Cobain and your sweet doggie. Great suggestion from Michele for Humane Society. Good luck.

Pigpen: Bad Mikel Bad... invest in a squirt gun... that should solve your problem...

David: Well with that name you give to the Feline, I am surprised it hasn't gotten "Suicidal" on you.

Cassandra: Relax, a cat's brains are the size of walnuts, and he will have forgotten it by tomorrow; just don't do it again. Use a squirt gun.

Lisa: Hi Mikel...Truly, a quick "clap" will do it. We trained German Shepherds(my family--even had a Champion. Animals learn by "association", so if a dog or cat hears "No!" with a quick clap, the sound and word will tell her/him it's very bad to do whatever that behavior is.

The squirt-gun, which squirts water, which is still hurtful, unfortunately, becomes "part" of your hand/you, so the animal will. still. fear. you.

The clap is simply "startling", and animals HATE that, so they'll quit the behavior.
And hey--don't confuse the cat by often letting her lick your plate, then getting mad when she does so, on her own. End that practice, so she understands it is NOT acceptable.Put the scraps you ALLOW her to have, in HER bowl. :D

Cassandra: Squirting a cat with water is not hurtful. Geeziz. They don't like it but that's kind of the point of discipline. But, I totally agree a loud sound is often more appropriate. Just if you need to discipline a specific behavior there are times you need to do it from across the room. Squirt gun comes in terrifc then. And yes, don't ever let a pet eat off your plate. Put scraps in their bowl. Too late for Bundy probably.

Kathryn: That's why I don't have cats anymore. They never learn lessons like dogs do!! They love to jump on kitchen counters and wag their tails on your food, gross!!

Cassandra: Every cat I've had I've taught to not jump on table/counter by hissing at them and shoving them off. If you do it early, they stop trying. mostly. Shadow is still known to sneak on the table every now and then. but he hops down if he sees one of us coming ha ha

Mikel K Poet: I just shook the cat treats bottle for the second time, and again Kobain came running to get him a snack. He, now doesn't seem scared of me, and is back on our bed hanging out like he usually does. There is a lesson in this, though, and I believe that I have learned it. Thank you all for your input on this matter; it was hard to admit such a thing to the world.

Conchita del Mundo: Is that the first time Bundy has been bitten?

Mikel K Poet: Yes.

Conchita del Mundo: Not that bad considering then; sorry he got bit, though.

Karen: Mikel, you are, indeed, a brave man. And I really hope that someone can help pay for the vet visit. Do you have a Care Credit card, and will your vet--or another really good vet--take it? I've been unemployed for 18+ months, and there have been some very expensive, critical vet emergencies during that time. Care Credit has been a HUGE help! (NB: It's the only credit I've used since being laid off. And I have it almost paid off.)

Karen: Mikel, this is not a " P.S." It merits a separate comment: Take very good care of you. Hugs, Karen

Cynthia June ‎@ Cassandra: We use a water squirter on the dogs all the time - when they bark at every person walking past the house (or dog walking) we have 3 dogs and they all start a high pitched yip altogether that pierces one's brains and makes people nuts. Thanks to the water squirting I only have to say "I'll squirt you!" and they all stop - in unison. Very cool idea! I did drop kick a cat out of my house that attacked my son when he was little. I don't think squirting it with water would have satisfied me. or trained that psycho kitty, or made my son feel better. I simply booted him outta my house and away from my little boy. (shame!)

Sheila: Geez. That's abusive and cruel. You could make more food. I hope you are teasing.

Mikel K Poet: Kobain didn't come onto the bed and dig his head into my hand, last night, demanding to be petted, as he normally does, but he did show up on time to receive his morning breakfast of wet cat food. I petted him on the face, as he waited for his food, and he was receptive; he didn't seem scared at all. It is Valentine's Day, and one of my Facebook friends suggested that we say, "I love you," to our pets, also.

Kobain, I love you, and I am extremely sorry for what happened yesterday. I am filled with a guilt that I hope will leave me, as you hopefully fully return to me.

Kobain just came into the kitchen to the sound of the refrigerator door opening, as he always does. I lifted him up, petted him, and told him that I loved him; then I put some frozen ground turkey meat in his bowl. I love my animals, and want to treat them with love, and respect. There is no place for fear in this home. There is no place for violence. I will not relapse to hold habits. I will move forward in peace, and love.

Kobain just got up on his back legs, and put his front paws on my left leg, and begged for some of my oatmeal. I droppes some on the floor for him, and he came back for more.

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KOBAIN GOT OUT...he slipped out the door while Jeremy, and I, were taking a leaking refrigerator out of the apartment, and bringing in one that works. I saw Kobain heading down the steps towards the back yard; I blew kisses, he looked over his shoulder for a moment but kept on trotting. I am torn up with wonder of if yesterday has anything to do with him running away today; everything has consequences.

Bundy just pushed on the screen door, that was not completely latched behind me, as I stepped out onto the front porch to see if Kobain had come back. Bundy pushed the door a bit with his nose. Both Bundy, and I, know that he is good at pushing on doors, and getting out. I wonder if the other animals that comprise our family know that Kobain has flown the coop. Who else would like to leave me, I wonder.

Up at 5:30 am; Morisson waiting by the side of the bed to be petted, tail wagging; Bundy still asleep on his bed; the cats waiting by their bowls to be fed their wet cat food breakfast. It is starting off to be a normal day here at The K Hotel.

My coffee gets cold waiting for me to get off of Facebook. Facebook can be evil like crack, an addiction that consumes you, or it can be your best friend, keeping you in touch with old friends, helping you to make new ones.

Kobain is back to normal, except that he is not sleeping on the bed with me; he does not jump up on the bed the second that I lay down on it, and dig his head into my hand, demanding that I pet him, demanding that I scratch him. He is not, then, laying next to me for most of the night. He still has trust issues, I think; but I also think that he will trust me, again, eventually. I am a good man. I love my cat.

Up at 5:30 am; Morisson waiting by the side of the bed to be petted, tail wagging; Bundy still asleep on his bed; the cats waiting by their bowls to be fed their wet cat food breakfast. It is starting off to be a normal day here at The K Hotel.

My coffee gets cold waiting for me to get off of Facebook. Facebook can be evil like crack, an addiction that consumes you, or it can be your best friend, keeping you in touch with old friends, helping you to make new ones.

Kobain is back to normal, except that he is not sleeping on the bed with me; he does not jump up on the bed the second that I lay down on it, and dig his head into my hand, demanding that I pet him, demanding that I scratch him. He is not, then, laying next to me for most of the night. He still has trust issues, I think; but I also think that he will trust me, again, eventually. I am a good man. I love my cat.

Kobain came back to the bed, came back to my hand, this afternoon, right after I had lay down to take a nap. He let me rub his head, and scratch his head, as he always does. Later he was whining at the front door, like he used to do, when he was an indoor outdoor cat, whining to be let out' only he won't be let out of this house because the traffic is too great about it. He will have to sneak out, and then I will have to worry about him, once again.

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Later he was whining at the front door, like he used to do, when he was an indoor outdoor cat, whining to be let out' only he won't be let out of this house because the traffic is too great about it. He will have to sneak out, and then I will have to worry about him, once again.

--Mikel K