Our 9 month old tuxedo cat Oliver has apparently entered his rebellious (teenage?) phase. In the evenings, he likes to run amok around the house, leaping from chair to table, attacking anything not tied down, and in general sowing his wild oats. The other day, he leaped up onto the kitchen counter, then down into the sink, where he hunkered down, looking guilty. He knows not to go on the counters or dining table while we're home, but when we're at work or asleep, I suspect all bets are off. Yesterday, I found pawprints all over the stovetop, so he must have been hanging out there. Also, he got into the cabinet where his supplies are kept, ripped open a plastic bag full of catnip, and went on a catnip-fueled rampage, spreading the herb all over the place. He seems to enjoy violently attacking my shoes while I'm putting them on. Of course, this behavior has manifested itself while my wife is out of town - Oliver is in her jurisdiction, and with my back pain, it's not good for me to be bending over constantly to scoop the litter, feed the cat, and fish around for cat toys stuck underneath furniture. Fortunately, J gets home from Chicago tomorrow, and perhaps will have a calming effect on the kitty.

He's still a good-natured, affectionate cat, and I think once he gets a little older he'll calm down. A little craziness is to be expected with a healthy, young cat. I just hope he doesn't hurt himself, or hurt one of us, or break any irreplaceable items while he's going through this hyper-maniacal phase.
 

Washington City Paper, 5/21/08