This is an interesting thread...when I have visitors over, they will say, "what was that" and invariably, I know exactly what it was. I rarely get spooked at night from cat noises.

As to the throw up (or hurl, as I call it)...I always know when Tex is going to do it. If I see him on the hardwood, I don't even react. When I see him on the couch, I do like unabassoon, and put a sheet of paper, magazine, cloth, etc., under him, and away he goes. It is usually in triplicate, so I just move with him. No mess, no fuss, and we go on.

Stepping in it still gets my retch up, though I am quite comfortable picking it up now! GROSS Huh?