Is Our Cats Learning?

Just enough time for a little note. Let me try to go a little lighter today.

It's legendarily hard to train cats, even for professionals, it is widely stated.
I often espouse my (varies from day to day) opinion of how the cat brain operates. I've long said they are aware of generally the last 10 minutes they have been alive, and may anticipate as far as 1 minute into the future.
But no further.
This observation came after years of dealing with cats that go to the door howling "let me out!" I open the door to the pelting rain and howling wind.
Cat realizes out is not a good idea.
For about 1 to 3 minutes.
Then cat wants to check the weather again.
None of my cats ever connected the bad weather at the rear door to the front door. If it was bad out back they'd run to the front and ask out there only to be bitterly disappointed. And loop for hours.
So, obviously, they don't easily connect the dots.

or


They may just be little assholes.


Seeing Caltiki learn with ONE taste of cream cheese how to sense from 3 rooms away that I am even thinking about opening some has shaken up the Stupid Cat Theory. In one sitting, or should I say swallow, Caltiki immediately learned to come running and crying at any or all of the movements, sounds or smells that she associated with cream cheese - again, in one taste. Bread being unwrapped? Yeoowrl. Knife from drawer? Heeerowwwl! Coffee brewing? Rowwwwwww. Toaster engaged? HUWAAGGHH! At any of these triggers she hurls to the window sill and howls, because, God help me, I first fed her cream cheese there from the breakfast table.


Yet this same cat apparently has not been able to figure out that sticking her ass in my neck and slapping my face with her tail when I am trying to sleep displeases me.


Little asshole.

But awfully cute.