Friday Fun- The iNtuitive Kitten

It's Friday, and time for a light blog topic. I am currently cat/dog sitting for my parents while they vacation in Boston. So, in addition to my two Papillon dogs and one Labrador, we also have another Papillon and baby kitten (about 9 weeks old) demanding attention today.

To say the least, the first night was an "experience." My parent's Papillon is like a grumpy old man with slight OCD. He has a very specific schedule, and will kindly remind you of that schedule by tapping your head with his paw while you sleep. He required one specific stuffed animal to sleep with every night, but first he must have a bone. However, this is not just ANY bone, it must be a Chicken Kabob bone by Waggin Tails. In addition, if the bone has been exposed to too much error, he will detect that it's stale and literally turn his nose up at it and wait for a new one. (I'm 100% serious here). He also noticed everything that is out of place, comes and alerts you when he hears a cell phone ringing (even on vibrate), and prefers minimal involvement with other animals. He is a doggie ISTJ.

Yes, that's right...I just typed a dog. I know there are plenty of type enthusiasts who do this, so I'm not ashamed to share!

The baby kitten opened my eyes to a new way to view iNtuitive preferences. The kitten sees opportunity in everything. Specifically, he perceives everything is a toy. Though I brought home over $40 in cat toys, in the last 24 hours he has preferred to play with:

• the cursor on my computer (making it slightly difficult to see the screen)
• they keys on the keyboard (he's learned that when he walks across it the computer makes sounds
• the strings on my hoodie
• my ring when it catches light
• my fingers as I type
• my hand- as I slept
• my ear- as I slept
• curtains (kitty rock climbing)
• shadows on the wall
• the stairs (I'm not sure what the stairs did to him, but he certainly won the fight)
• the printer
• the chimney (which he scaled the inside of at 5am and turned from a Siamese cat to a grey kitten)
• Sharpies
• straws

I could go on for hours! This kitten sees the opportunity for fun and opportunity in the most mundane things. As someone with a Sensing preference, this is something I struggle with. I look at an object and understand it's intended use. I am NOT good at finding alternative ways to use an item. I subscribe to a magazine called Real Simple, and each month they show how to use a conventional item in an unconventional way. I'm always amazed by the things they suggest because I would never be able to think that way. For example, in this month's issue they suggest keeping the cardboard center of a paper towel roll and stuff used plastic grocery bags inside. Then the cardboard tube becomes a homemade plastic bag dispenser. Huh, who would have thought?

As much as I despise the phrase "think outside the box," that's exactly what this is. Perhaps a better phrase could be "think outside of the sensing preference."

Does anyone share this struggle to flex to the iNtuitive preference? If so, how do you force yourself out of the sensing comfort zone?

More importantly, have you typed your pet? I'd love to hear other pet-lovers/MBTI enthusiasts who share this experience!