Days 11 & 12: Morning views; flea medicine demons

Day 11: Around-the-clock observations of the subject commenced on day 11. Subject has responded generally well to constant observation, and seemed to exhibit unbridled joy as a result of spending roaming/hunting time outside the house. (Supporting evidence: affectionate headbutts and requests for attention, petting.)  As a precautionary measure, scientific guidelines (according to this peer reviewed source) for petting subject were carefully followed.

Day 12: Observer was greeted in the morning with a seemingly ritualistic feline act (Figures 1 and 2). Observer believes that these acts of the subject in the presence of said observer may be evidence of acceptance of observer's presence. For this reason, observer decided to test this trust by applying a monthly dose of flea/tick medicine to subject's neck. Subject CLEARLY took this for a blatant breach of trust, and has withdrawn from the observer as a result. Trust rebounding time will be recorded. Observer may be able to hasten recovery time with the use of treats, but this will likely be counterbalanced by barring access to outdoors time. Observations in the coming days will be very informative.

Figure 1. Ritualistic cleaning act, pose 1.

Figure 2. Ritualistic cleaning act, pose 2.

UPDATE: Rapid rebound time!!  Subject appears to have forgiven the observer for the blatant breach of trust, but this may be a byproduct of having little choice in his company selection...

Days 6-10: Cleanup on Aisle 5; Return of the bastard

Observer has been unable to make regular posts in the last few days due to scheduling issues.  This is a conglomerate post to cover the past 5 days.

Day 6, subject was strangely nowhere to be found upon observer's entering of home. Observer searched the entire house, but was entirely confounded as to the location of the subject. Observer suspects that subject was so worn out from being an ornery bastard, that he was sleeping like a rock in some weird location.  

Day 7, subject's survival was confirmed via both direct and indirect evidence. Direct evidence: subject presented himself for petting and attention, acting as if nothing weird had occurred the day before.  Indirect evidence: a vomitsplosion covered a large portion of the carpet near the downstairs bathroom. Observer can only reasonably conclude the following--subject time traveled out of the apartment on day 6, and upon return on day 7, the time travel's effects resulted in the subject's tossing of his cookies. 

Days 8 and 9, business as usual in the subject's home. Violent mood swings (affectionate in one minute, attempting to filet observer's appendages the next) have become the norm. Considering dosing the subject with catnip in order to preserve the integrity of observer's skin.

Day 10, despite the administering of food in regular intervals, subject has decided to destroy a package of treats. Observer believes the subject is in the throes of boredom/depression, and eating everything in sight as a result. Most likely, the presence of the observer in the subject's home for longer durations beginning tomorrow will assuage some his unsettled attitude.

Treat destruction by subject:

Subject's unwillingness to remain still for required affection from observer displayed here:

Subject's ornery disposition is evident in this photograph:

Day 5: Support for hypothesis

25 June 2012

It has been 6 days since the departure of the subject's humans, and evidence supporting observer's hypothesis (subject will severely miss his humans) has begun to surface. Upon entering subject's homestead, subject promptly glued himself to observer's legs. Observer thoroughly pet (and even brushed!) subject, and then proceeded to fill subject's food bowl and freshen subject's water. Much to the observer's surprise,  subject showed little interest in food, and jumped into observer's lap post food replenishment. Observer believes both that this is evidence of subject craving attention in the absence of his humans,  and also an initiation into the outer portion of the subject's inner circle. Observer is excited by the research possibilities that may be opening up in light of these new activities,  and looks forward to further interactions with the subject.

Observer's initiation:

Day 4: Possession by the poop demon

24 June 2012

Upon observer's entrance to subject's abode,  observer was overcome with the overwhelming scent of poop. Upon inspection of subject's litter box, observer noted roughly 79 million poops. Observer believes overfull litter box may be the result of stress, but also may have contributed to subject's stress, thus creating a postive feedback loop, resulting in negative feelings in subject. Observer promptly emptied the offending litter box, and administered treats to subject. Observer also captured photographic evidence of possession by poop demon.

Observer believes subject's disposition will be much improved in the following days.

Day 3: subject unaffected by thunder

23 June 2014

Subject today seems nonplussed regarding both the absence of his owners and the current weather conditions. Subject was primarily concerned with the prospects of food and water. This suggests several possibilities to the observer.

One, subject is in near catatonic state over the absence of his humans, and unable to express emotions.
Two, subject is in state of abject terror with respect to thunder, lightning, and/or absence of his humans, and incapable of communicating such.
Three, subject is a proud, proud kitty, and refuses to admit weakness.
Four, subject has no shits to give over thunderstorm OR human absence, and only cares about his food.

Further observation is needed to shed light on this situation. Will continue with study.

Day 2: Subject still unamused, but curious.

22 June 2014

Today subject emerged from upstairs lair. Subject's mood is still one of overall confusion with a hint of betrayal, but subject displayed interest in the presence of the seemingly unknown observer (self). Subject presented himself for praise and attention, but then abruptly altered moods and rejected the affection of the observer.

Observational time unit: 1 hour
Amount of time devoted by subject to investigating observer: 2 min

Observer will take a non-invasive observatory approach for two more days, and then will begin more direct modes of mood interference with subject.

Conclusions: Subject most interested in food.

Observer's notes to self: bring treats to coax subject out of shell? probably too invasive. will wait until non-invasive period is over.

Day 1: Subject is not amused.

21 June 2014

Upon my arrival to the subject's homestead, subject appeared confused and disoriented. Attempts to coax subject down from upstairs area of house were unsuccessful. Unable to obtain photographic evidence pertaining to subject's health and mood, although this in and of itself is evidence of overall mood.

Conclusions: Subject is not amused.  Will continue monitoring.