Today I was talking on the phone and tried to use the voice recognition feature to do something, but it wouldn't work. I used my assistive device to try to push a button and missed the target about three times.
Suddenly I saw a big black and white paw descend onto the button and push it down. I looked at my cat Buddy and he blinked at me.
I said "Gee, thanks."
Several years ago I attended a presentation on assistive dogs. Several of my friends, who are dog-lovers, urged me to get a dog to help me with some of the tasks that are difficult due to my quadriplegia. However, I decided at the time not to do it. My aide teased me that I should get a monkey instead. I told her that would be fine - she can change its diapers. So much for that idea.
But it never occurred to me that my cat would be able to do some things for me. So after this happened with my phone, I was curious and wondered if he would do it again. I decided to test him out.
He was sitting on the arm of my chair, in a half-nap, half -awake state which is how he spends about 23 hours a day. I moved the TV remote close to me and tried to hit a button. I missed. I saw his eyes dart over. I tried to hit the button again. I missed. My cat looked at me, then his paw flew out sideways and hit the button. The TV went on and he sighed contentedly.
Remarkable, I thought. Then again, I wondered - do I really want a cat who can answer the phone and turn on the TV when I go out? Heck, why not?
Maybe he could go out to the refrigerator and get me a snack. I wouldn't mind that.
2 comments:
We're constantly teaching our cat tricks, so this doesn't surprise me at all. If lions and tigers can do it at the circus, why not???
It just takes lots of patience, catching them doing what you want them to do, and rewarding them for it with lots of attention. We don't feed our kitty - she's too fat!
I don't think I'll reward him with food - he's a big guy! Attention will work- he LOVES that!
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