a magazine of cat tales | ISSN: 2769-058X
Cats are reputed to have hunting instincts. When they don’t have food provided for them, these instincts come in handy so they don’t die from hunger. Unfortunately, when we took them into our homes and gave them plenty of food, they no longer needed hunting instincts. Some do use them and take care of mice and insects, but they don’t usually eat their kills.
“A dog is like a liberal, he wants to please everybody. A cat doesn’t really need to know that everybody loves him.” — William Kunstler
Dogs are famous for wanting to please and be agreeable. Cats just don’t care about such things. They don’t care how many adoring fans they could have. They just want to rest most of the time and dream. However, it is easier to dream when someone else provides them with a safe place to live.
“An ordinary kitten will ask more questions than any five year old.” — Carl Van Vechten
Kittens are much more curious than adult cats. They don’t know much about themselves or the world around them. So, they will ask and watch everyone and everything around them. They don’t stop unless they are too tired to keep their heads up any longer.
Cats do have a homing ability. They can wander and find their way home. But not if they are moved. Then they can become very lost. That’s why it is best to keep them inside until they learn their new home and so they can find it again later.
“If you yell at a cat, you’re the one who is making a fool of yourself.” — Unknown
Yelling at cats is much like yelling at brick walls. They may not listen and think you’re an idiot to try and change them. Yet, I haven’t see that stop anyone from yelling at cats. They are that willful.
“Of all domestic animals the cat is the most expressive. His face is capable of showing a wide range of expressions. His tail is a mirror of his mind. His gracefulness is surpassed only by his agility. And, along with all these, he has a sense of humor.” — Walter Chandoha
Seeing cats express themselves is not something everyone sees. Or at least not immediately. It takes years to learn how expressive cats can be. They don’t always meow when they are expressive. Sometimes it’s just their eyes being a bit differently shaped. Or how their tails move. They usually don’t laugh, but sometimes it can sound as if they do.
Cats don’t like killing other cats. Cats do have a bad tendency to kill small animals and insects. When they have plenty to eat, they don’t need to hunt and they may kill. That’s why it’s not a good idea to let them roam freely outside.
Cats don’t always want to die or be killed by humans. When they are sick and ready to cross the Rainbow Bridge, they will allow a human to put them to sleep. Otherwise, they may fight to stay alive.
Personally, I like to have a choice myself. I’d rather you didn’t unless my body is too worn out and I’ve lived my life already. Otherwise, I’d feel you were murdering me.
“It always gives me a shiver when I see a cat seeing what I can’t see.” — Eleanor Farjeon
I don’t get shivers seeing a cat see something I can’t. I just figure they can see things I can’t no matter how hard I try. They can stare for hours at what I don’t know. Perhaps just reflections or even at unsuspecting prey. Or perhaps they are contemplating things and it takes time and patience. Two things cats tend to have a lot of.
“The phrase ‘domestic cat’ is an oxymoron.” — George Will
I don’t know why people think cats are domesticated as if cats are submissive to us. As if cats could be tame. People who believe such things have never lived with cats. They never see cats knocking books and other items off of shelves, countertop and tables to crash down to the floor. Never seeing fragile items shattering when they hit the floor all because of cats.
Cats can communicate in different ways. They use their eyes, ears and tails in subtle ways that many don’t notice. They can meow to others. They can purr too. Humans may not understand them, but cats do communicate. Cats can talk to each other lower than humans can hear.
“Cats do care. For example they know instinctively what time we have to be at work in the morning and they wake us up twenty minutes before the alarm goes off.” — Michael Nelson
Cats do have a sense of time and what our schedules are like. If they know you are supposed to be awake in the morning, they just might wake you up before the sun comes up. I hate to get up before the sun, but sometimes it just happens.
“You may own a cat, but cannot govern one.” — Kate Sanborn
I don’t think anyone can technically own a cat. They are people and people can’t be owned. As for governing a cat, I don’t see how that works. They aren’t submissive. They are independent. It’s much better to negotiate with them rather than try to control them. Oh, and don’t bother with lots of rules. They will just break them as they please.
“The smart cat doesn’t let on that he is.” — H.G. Frommer
Cats are secretive. They are subtle and hard to know exactly what they are thinking on a regular basis until you get to know them. It can take years, but it could be possible to know how smart they are. But that’s just the trick, you don’t know when you first meet them.
“He [the cat] liked to peep into the refrigerator and risk having his head shut in by the closing door. He also climbed to the top of the stove, discontinuing the practice after he singed his tail.” — Lloyd Alexander
Cats are curious daredevils. They will jump and explore the house they live in heedless of any dangers. That is until they get hurt once, then they could stop. I know when I was building a dollhouse in front of three cats, two had to check it out and would get up close where it could have been dangerous for them to do.
Cats can have problems such as aggressive behavior or refusing to use the litter box. Cats can have problems with humans who don’t treat them well. Cats can have trouble with other cats over territorial disputes. Cats can have problems with dogs. How cats deal with their problems may not be how humans want them to. However, with support, love and patience, it is possible for cats to get over their problems.
Sir Socks Le Chat 