When you have a dog, coming home is like being welcomed by an adoring friend. They jump all over you, shower you with kisses and act as though your arrival is the greatest thing to ever happen to them. When you have a cat, the experience is a little different. Upon my arrival at home my cat will look at me and then continue whatever she was doing. Now, I am lucky in that my cat is unusually affectionate. She loves being held (when she is in the mood), she cuddles with me when I watch T.V. and sleeps at my feet at night. However, when I started going to college, things began to change. I hear stories of my friend's dogs running up to them the second they get home and showing them with love. My cat, Noodle, is a little different. You see, I believe that she holds a grudge. Here is what happens every time I come home on break.

1. I walk in and look around excitedly to find her

I miss my cat so much when I am away so coming home is so exciting. All I want to do is play with her and cuddle.

2. When I finally find her she looks at me like I have personally offended her

I guess my excitement to see her is not reciprocated. The fact that I left and had the audacity to return is not acceptable.

3. I pick her up and she acts like a fish out of water and tries to wiggle away

My normally cuddly cat now believes I am the enemy and decides to treat me as such. It does not matter if I rub her behind the ears or use her favorite brush, the cat wants nothing to do with me.

4. When I put my bags down she rubs up against them and explores every nook and cranny of my room

This always gives me hope. Maybe she didn't recognize me when I got back, but now that she sees me in my room she will warm up to me.

5. Noodle leaves my room and then refuses to come near me for at least 24 hours

This is her version of the silent treatment. If I walk into a room, she leaves it. If I try to pick her up, she runs away. When I bring her to my bed to go to sleep, she runs away as if she were being chased.

6. Finally, she shows up in my room at night, gets in bed and starts purring

Even though it takes some time, Noodle eventually comes around. She is not a dog and needs to do things her own way. We were always so close that every time I leave she feels hurt. I know that even if she is standoffish at first, she and I always work it out.