Pets

during the Depression would be even worse. What an amazing woman your grandmother must have been.

As for Ember, she is a feisty little feline. She's sweet and affectionate most of the time, amusing with her antics, but she also has a very strong sense of dignity and personal space. She expects to be treated with respect and let's you know if she feels that you are not doing that.

For example, she knows the words "no" and "bad girl," "good girl," and "sweetheart." For sweetheart, she just recognizes that it's associated with hugs, kisses, affection, and eye blinks.

So, when she does something that I don't approve of, she gets rebellious and stubborn if I use a strong, scolding tone of voice. Point a finger at her while scolding and she will slap the finger. But if I say, "No, no. Ember, Please don't do that" or "bad girl, Ember" in a firm, but not too scolding tone, she cooperates. I make it sound like I am disappointed and sad that she is doing whatever it is, most often scratching something other than her scratching posts. In other words, requests go farther with Ember than orders. She has to maintain her dignity and sense of equality with me. And she is very good at picking up meaning from tone of voice.

When she knows that I am displeased, she tries to make up with me through eye blinks and rubbing my legs.

Yes, I am glad for Ember's sake that I got her out of that coworker's house. But I feel like I am the lucky one to have her. She is such a joy for me.