More proof that the cats are winning

I become semi-conscious in the pre-dawn hour at all seasons, which is a nuisance in the summer. Today, a repeated "ackkk---ackkk" sound penetrated my brain, where the grey cells immediately translated it to "cat--hairball--yuck!"

I hopped out of bed and sure enough, found Mr Spike on the wrong--inner--side of the bedroom door. I had no sooner opened the door than the hacking stopped. I got a "thanks, dude" look and he exited triumphant. Of course, no hairball.

This is disturbing, because we have never made a big deal about Mr Spike's imminent hairball throws. Ms Annie's, however, are bothersome, because at her age it's never certain whether the next hairball will be her last. Mr Spike has clearly seen this, noted the reaction, and realised that a good throaty hack is the best way to get attention from the hoomans. It is more speculative, of course, but possibly Ms Annie has been beta testing the response reflex, and Mr Spike is simply putting the whole thing into production.

This sort of thing has drawn attention even from dedicated goggie people. Manipulation of this level indicates that a higher intelligence is at work. Kittehs--emissaries from a parallel and more advanced universe.