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 Nikko
Every morning my father gets up early and feeds our motley crew of three cats and a cocker spaniel. Of course, that are all spoiled, but my cat, Nikko, who is a Birman, gets the royal treatment! Nikko is 10 years old and knows that because she has lived with us the longest, this entitles her to special privileges. She gets to eat when she wants, talks to us constantly and has my father trained when it comes to her morning routine. My dad comes down and gets everyone’s food ready. Everyone is present, except Nikko. She is very comfortable on her (my) bed. When she hears the clank of food dishes and the spoon hit the ceramic bowls, her ears and head perk up, but she doesn’t move. She knows she doesn’t have to because after everyone else gets their food, my dad comes all the way upstairs, picks her up and takes her downstairs. Some days she decides he deserves a break and will get off the bed and sit in the hall, but she never goes downstairs. If she is already downstairs, she runs up to the top of the steps and waits for him to come for her. She doesn’t have me or my mom trained this way. I’ve told her that I refuse to go after her, so she eats when she brings herself down. She is way past princess … We call her Queen!
Melissa Wilson
New Boston, N.H.
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