Gattamorta

This month’s cat vocabulary is an Italian word, gattamorta, which literally means dead cat. It is used for a manipulative person. For me who adores cats, I find this somewhat disturbing. Yes, there are people like me who will do anything for a cat and the cats know it.

But does that mean they are naturally manipulative people? I don’t think so. Many cats are quiet and trust us to take care of them. Some are more vocal and quite specific about how they want to be taken care of.

I’ve lived with cats for quite a long time and I’d rather be around them than a real manipulative person any day.