My cat’s recurring problem

My cat, Cyrus the Great, is a peculiar feline.

He is a purebred Persian (hence, his name) and could probably be a show cat if it wasn’t for my wife deciding his true calling was as our pet. But we just call him “Cy,” partly because “Cyrus the Great” is a mouthful, and partly to keep him from getting the big head. 

So Cy has this recurring issue–and I have to warn you, it’s a bit embarrassing to tell you about it–but as a Persian with very long fur, sometimes when he leaves his litter box, which, to his credit, he is quite disciplined about finding, he sometimes leaves with scat stuck to his bottom. 

His master knows what’s best

This can go unnoticed for a time, at least until he is within whiff range. At that point something must be done.

The thing is, once he sees us turn our noses up to avoid the smell, he runs. He runs because he knows what happens next: I will track him down, pick him up, and my wife will trim away what should have been left in his litter box.

As I chase after him, I try to explain to him why he can’t walk around like that: he smells bad, it’s not healthy, and he’s . . . well . . . Cyrus the Great.

He doesn’t understand

But I can tell he doesn’t understand. It doesn’t matter what words I use; he doesn’t understand because he’s not capable of understanding. So, he runs.

Life would be easier for him and me, if he just submitted. The whole ordeal would be over faster, he would smell better, and the world would be a better place.

If only he would trust me even when he can’t understand. GS