JDog

sometimes cats get lazy, and they start signifying their troubles with a jaw move but don't actually make the sound. my impression is that they feel this should be clear enough, as you've known each other for a long while now and can understand what's what without there being any need for dialogue. a common enough mistake, and one that's not unique to that species.

That totally sounds like something that Douglas Adams would say...

And sometimes I wish this cat would assume I know what's what and stop meowing everytime I come into view.

my own little one is also vocal. oh my, does she ever have tales to tell! she has taken to systematically shutting the bedroom door during the night, too, lately. what is she trying to say? she needs total one-on-one time? there will be no bathroom visits/disturbing movements in the middle of the night? what? what does she want?

Uh, maybe there's just a draft?

Mine isn't so much telling tales as she is whining ... oh, it's too cold, oh, it's too hot, pay attention to me, leave me alone, quiet down I'm trying to sleep, how can anyone sleep in such silence, i'm bored, quit overstimulating me, i need to see what's out in the hall, what are you nuts - close the damn door, i need food, not that food - the good stuff, you call that litterbox clean?, i need help getting down from here, what are you grabbing me for - you oaf, yes i'm on the counter - what of it?, i want to play now, i'm done - leave me alone, quit looking at me, why are you ignoring me, i must sit on your lap now, quit moving, i need to be picked up now, put me down - i'm done with you

seeee? you understand much more than you think.

Trouble is she could mean any of the above at any time.