The Pounce

What is something simple that gives you inexplicable joy?

For me, it’s a cat’s pounce. Domestic, exotic, big or small, it doesn’t matter. Something about a cat about to pounce makes me smile and start giggling. I have to cover my mouth to stay silent.

Take my kitten, for example. She loves her wand toy with curly ribbons on the end. When she gets tired from chasing it through every room, she starts hiding behind her other toys or boxes to stalk after it like a tiger in the jungle. I love watching her. She’s not at all hidden by whatever she crouches behind, so it’s a good thing her hunting skills are just for play. I can always tell when the toy gets her attention. Her eyes grow as round as the new moon, then she drops down into her hunter’s crouch. When she’s tired, I have to go slow with the toy, inch it along like it’s a little mouse. Then, comes the best part. Her little butt wiggles with the shifting of her paws as she’s judging distance, obstacles, and the perfect moment to strike. This is the part where I start giggling and have to cover my mouth to not ruin her hunt.

I almost feel bad for enjoying her pounces too much. Cats. These mighty hunters are simply too cute when they’re about to pounce.