I don't know how I've kept this blog for four years and never dedicated a full post to the white fluffball that occupies so much of our attention at home, but due to a recent occurrence, I think it's finally time.
We just realized that our 14-year-old cat is deaf.
Actually the more precise statement would be: I just realized that our 14-year-old cat seems to be almost (or maybe totally?) deaf.
Apparently Brian thought this might be the case for a while and seemed completely baffled when I said he was insane. Then I shared my back-pocket stat that 8 out of 10 blue-eyed, white cats are deaf and he nearly died. As if that proved his point!
Then he launched into an unofficial hearing test, which consisted of making a series ridiculous sounds, snapping behind her ears, banging on the floor, etc. The only thing she responded to in the whole mix was a very specific clucking-tsssk noise, which is what is keeping me from proclaiming her 100% deaf. But maybe it was just a vibration that the sound makes...? AH!
It had never crossed my mind at all that Powder might be deaf. I have now embarrassingly many times proclaimed that she was one of the 10 that wasn't deaf, how special was she?!?!
So naturally you're probably wondering how the F could I miss something like this, well don't you worry I've been asking myself that too. And every time I come up with a good explanation, then I think of an equally compelling counterargument.
No way: She meows all the time.
Well maybe: She wanders through the house meowing and only stops if we're in the same room as her.
No way: We talk back and forth all the time! Except sometimes she ignores me.
Well maybe: Sometime she "ignores" me.
No way: That seems like the kind of thing her previous owner would've told me, since she raised her for 8 years before I got her.
Well maybe: On the other hand, that same woman told me she had to get rid of her two old cats because her new fiance was allergic and she was afraid they'd get put down if no one took them. About six months later, the fiance-now-husband told Jackie that he just hated cats. So I'm guessing deafness might've slipped her mind.
Well maybe: She loves going outside but she's SUPER skittish, which would make sense if she can't hear anything approaching.
Well maybe: She isn't bothered by really scary thunder.
Well maybe: She sleeps through parties at home, including a lot of sporadic yelling during games.
Well maybe: She meows every time I walk by her in the morning when I'm getting ready and she's dozing...I'm pretty sure I startle her and that's why.
Well maybe: She's equally scared of a broom and a vacuum cleaner.
Well maybe: She won't come when called unless I pat the chair or stare at her (don't ask).
Well maybe: I read from a website, "Deaf cats are more people-loving cats than those who can hear. However, these cats may have louder voices, presumably because they can't hear how loudly they meow!" Powder loves me and Brian HARD, and she is one loud m-f-er.
Now, a few years ago she seemed to really hate guys just from hearing their voices (cue Brian London), so it's quite possible that if she IS deaf, it's sort of come on in the past few years. But then again, as I re-think everything, maybe there's a good explanation for why she was reacting that way back then. Who knows. But the whole white-cat-deafness-thing is genetic so that would mean she was one of the lucky ones and has since gone deaf with old age...and that doesn't seem very likely now does it.
The one thing that's a little funny is how I've started accommodating her "disability" (if it exists). She'll be meowing in the hall and I'll move to where she can see me, when who knows if she was even crying for me in the first place. I've been petting her extra so she knows I love her LOTS since she can't hear the tone of my voice that means I LOVE YOU LOTS. And I think I gave her extra food. Because she's deaf okay! It's the least I can do!
Maybe we should just have the vet put an end to our wondering? If they can even test that sort of thing?
sleeping soundly...shocker
3 comments:
Ok - wait a minute...
I have a memory of us testing her hearing after we found out about the white cat/blue eyes thing. Like, we whispered to her and dropped stuff in another room, etc. Also - wouldn't the vet have said something when we first got her?
It sucks though, you guys will have to find something new to protect you from intruders.
I'm not sure the vet would've ever even tested for it, to be honest. But I'll definitely have them do it the next time I take her in! (Which according to my calculations should be in about 7 years).
this was the funniest post I've read in a long time.
Post a Comment