The Call of the Wild

Henry David Thoreau said, "It often happens that a man is more humanely related to a cat or dog than to any human being."

There are two cats and a dog in our household. They are the true rulers of the house.

Masky, the older of the two cats, has been with the family for eight or nine years. She is black and white. The coloring on her face looks like she is wearing a mask. She has been an indoor cat all her life and had her front claws removed several years ago.

Mr. Big is my two-year-old orange and white cat. He is a bit feisty and recently had his front claws removed, too.

The dog -- said to be the baby of the family by everyone but me -- is a full-blooded Pomeranian. Romeo Pierre is his proper name. He isn't a pal with the cats given the chases and barking he heaps upon them.

"Biggie" and Masky have made friends as cats do. They have come to share the litter box, food and my bed. They sleep on each side of me every night in complete peace.

The swing of a tail can shatter that peace in an instant.

It starts with a one to two-minute stare down. A deep growl (Big) or hissing (Masky) can be heard just before a paw flies through the air coming down on the head of a mad cat. The paws keep flying until they knock each other onto the floor, which means a chase is on.

They race down the hallway at full speed. Once the chaser catches the chased, it becomes a ball of black, white and orange fur rolling down the hallway with hissing and meowing bellowing from that ball. All humans should be aware before entering the hallway of doom.

It doesn't have to begin with the swing of a tail or a love tap on the head. When the "fight" is territorial, it can be ugly.

The two furry friends have staked out their own regions in the house. Over time, Masky has taught Big what areas are off limits to him. He in return, has done the same. It seems the couch is the only neutral territory for the kings and princess.