Goldie: Continues to make an effort

Last night, Goldie again made a big production of caterwauling from the basement. Now that I know the drill, I immediately went down there. He led me to the same corner. I saw what I thought was the same species of tiny-winged flying beetle bug, only twice the size. Not moving, clearly dead, knocked on its side. 

"That's so weird," I thought, "If I didn't know better I'd say that was a baby cicada. Of course, we don’t have cicadas in the basement.”

I threw a paper towel over it. It buzzed. It was a cicada. No other animal makes that obnoxious sound.

I stomped it into cicada paste and wiped it off the cement as best I could. I imagine Goldie wanted to show me the kill, but too bad, my instincts kicked in just like a cat's.

And then, I cheered and praised the mighty cicada hunter. We want to reinforce this behavior.

Comments

[KC]

... "of course, we don't have cicadas in the basement": definitely on the "famous last words" list.

Also, yes, good to reinforce desired behavior. Even with cats, sometimes...

[theQueen]

KC - They go in search of tree sap, though. No tree sap in the basement.

[KC]

Just because it isn't there doesn't mean they can't look for it there...

(maybe that cicada was an explorer thrown off by the scent of turpentine?)

[theQueen]

KC - Nah, all turp is sealed,up. I thought he might have used the mouse hole from the garage to the top corner of the basement. What for, I don’t know.

[KC]

Maybe that was the One Cicada that has a shy bladder and was looking for a restroom?

[theQueen]

KC - Hah! My god, to have a shy bladder, what heaven.