So I started dating this guy a little over a month ago, and the biggest surprise thus far in our relationship is how well he gets along with the cats in my household. I know that there are people out there that truly are "cat people", and it reinforces my belief that animals, especially cats, are able to key in on whether someone is a good or bad person. It seems as though I have noticed a few areas in which my cats try to gauge whether or not my new beau is worthy of their attention. Those are a) his playfulness b) his attentiveness and c) his ability to be trained. As much as you may be thinking that it is I who is sizing my new boyfriend within these categories, but I assure you... really, it's just my cats.

Case in point #1 Chainsaw vs. Tom*

I have a cat named Chainsaw. Yes, Chainsaw. I bet you're picturing a large sabre-toothed long haired prehistoric beast looking cat. In fact she weighs 6 lbs., is soft like a Chinchilla, orange and white, with black arm bands, white socks, and adorably cute pink paw pads and matching pink nose. Why you ask do we call her the Chainsaw? She is two-faced. She has a light side on one side, and a dark side on the other. Most of the time, the light side is out, but occasionally she lets the dark side take reign...and that's when the Chainsaw Massacre can happen.

When Chainsaw is not in her "chainsaw" mode, she enjoys playing in her tent, fetching her noodle, or doing drive-bys, oh and the ever entertaining "spider-cat" routine.

Chainsaw can be a tough little cookie, when she's nipped out, or wild-eyed.... but really, she's a scaredy cat who hates the vacuum. So, whenever a new person comes over, it takes her a very very very long time for her to warm up to them.

Not with Tom. It took her about 2 weeks of him coming over fairly regularly for her to come out to meet him. By week 3 they were playing noodle together.... by week 4 she was letting him pick her up and cuddle (a little). It's amazing... and I think it's because she trusts him and can sense that he is a truly cat person.

He's very good about making sure to play with her when she's in the mood to play.

Case in Point #2 Tom Vs. Mary Jane

There's only so much in-and-out one can handle. Can Tom be trained? Mary Jane says Yes! Mary Jane is my half Siamese half Norweigan Forrest cat that meeyangs instead of meows. Everyone loves her. She's the type of cat who goes over to the neighbor's apartment, just to keep them company. She's the type of cat that greets you when you come home by jumping on the hood of your car and meeyanging at you until you get out to greet her. She's awesome. She's also a pain. She constantly wants to either be let inside or outside, which she tells you by scratching on the door...specifically while you are either a) watching your favorite TV show or b) in the middle of something extremely important.

So, how does she test him, and make sure she is willing to feed her and/or let her in and/or out whenever she pleases? Just like any other cat would.... any time he gets up and goes near the door, she runs over and meeyangs. Or she goes into the kitchen and meeyangs. Or she scratches on the door until he lets her in... is he doing this out of politeness, or annoyance?Both?

So far as I have seen, Tom really likes my cats, and my cats really like Tom.

I'm starting to trust my cats instincts about this guy... especially after how they felt about the last one... and that's a WHOLE different story.

*names have been changed to protect identities