Litter can be gritty. It’s usually a form of sand or even pine or ground up wheat or corn. It’s purpose is to absorb cat wastes and make it easy to clean up and get rid of the waste safely. Cats can be very picky and refuse to use the litter if it isn’t what they are used to. I have known one cat not to care and will use the litter if she can find it in a plastic box. I prefer the clumping litter as it makes it much easier to clean up not just poo, but pee as well.
Once I had to give Sir Socks and Spot a litter known as Yesterday’s News. They were hesitant to use it. I stressed to them that I would clean it out just as soon as they used it. It took some time before they used it. Once one did, I cleaned it out as soon as I noticed it. Then they were fine afterwards.
Cats always know whether people like or dislike them. They do not always care enough to do anything about it. —Winifred Carriere
Cats are intuitive and know who likes them and who are fans. They know who can’t stand them. Cats don’t care what we think of them. They will continue to be themselves no matter what we think or how we feel about them. Perhaps cats are on to something with that attitude.
If a cat does something, we call it instinct; if we do the same thing, for the same reason, we call it intelligence. —Will Cuppy
Both humans and cats have instincts. They come into play when we need them. But it’s only the prejudicial humans who have no proof who insist humans are intelligent and cats are instinctual. Why overlook the obvious when it’s the simplest reason that is the best reason to ever use and research when it comes to science?
It is I, your royal emperor Julius, writing to you again. I am still comfortably ensconced in my winter quarters, where I am passing the days indoors in warmth and firelight. The icy grayness outside does not touch me, and the leaves have quieted their assault for now. My fortress has been solid and secure, and I sleep well through night and day, listening to the slow song of the wind…
…that is, until recently.
Very recently.
Dearest subjects…I believe something is afoot in this place. Things have not been as they were, and I notice my servants whispering about something to come. They are preparing, planning, plotting. Things are moving. Things are appearing.
New toys. New blankets. New food bowls. I thought they were for me at first, but now I am noticing they are too big. Much too big.
Something is coming. Something large. Something called “dog”. I have never known a dog, but I have seen them on the outskirts of my kingdom. They are big, but they are stupid, so I don’t think I will have trouble subduing Dog. Nevertheless, it will be a challenge on my emperorship. The servants must not forget who owns them. I will pee on their bed if I must.
Now I have to eat and rest well. There will be territory to defend in the morning.
If you live with a cat, you will have to deal with their poo in one form or another. All you have to do is clean it up and throw it away or even compost it. It’s something which can’t be avoided. If you’re good about cleaning it up and throwing it out, any cat you live with will be happy with you. And as long as you clean up their wastes everyday, you won’t run the risk of catching any diseases from cats.
One disease is known as Toxoplasma and is caused by the Toxoplasma gondii parasite. It can be found in infected cat poo. It is a common parasite. That’s also why it’s a good idea to wash your hands after handling cat wastes. If you do become infected, Toxoplasma can cause flu-like symptoms. You may not get any symptoms at all. But it’s not worth risking becoming infected as you could pass it on to someone else. And the cat won’t be happy you didn’t clean up their wastes. They will let you know their displeasure by leaving poo on the floor somewhere where you’ll be sure to see it.
One of the best things about being a cat is the power of a purr. We can purr for hours. We can stay relaxed and calm without any trouble of all. Our purr is so soothing not just for us, but it has a calming affect on others as well. I know my girl loves it whenever I purr. She will cuddle with me and just breath as she should. I know it’s the best way for me to help her heal up whenever she is sick.
We cats have the best power in the universe with our purring. That’s why it’s so easy for us to heal others we love and to meditate. We just purr and others get better as we reach the wonderful state of nirvana.
There is nothing like a cat talking. They don’t even have to be talking to me. They could be talking to another cat and I don’t mind listening to them. They are people with a different language. They know I have a had time with their language, but they have their ways of talking to me with a simple meow.
If we treated everyone we meet with the same affection we bestow upon our favorite cat, they, too, would purr. —Martin Buxbaum
So true for the most part. If we all treated each other better, we would get better treatment in return. Cats know this better than many humans who are too selfish and inconsiderate to even be nice to others. Or even perhaps to themselves.
After my girl interviewed me, I decided to interview the kitten I raised with my girl. Spot was very cooperative. I wasn’t surprised by his responses as he has grown up with me and has always adored me and looked up to me.
Sir Socks (SS): Do you mind that I included you in my book?
Spot: No, I’m glad you included me. I’ve known you my whole life. Why wouldn’t I be in your book? I thought I was an important person in your life.
SS: You are an important person in my life. So is my girl that you believe is your mama.
Spot: I love mama.
SS: I know. Did you know she’s human?
Spot: What? I thought mama was a cat like I am!
SS: Uh, she is an honorary cat as far as I’m concerned.
Spot: Good.
SS: So, what’s wrong?
Spot: I’ve told mama she shouldn’t stand under running water, but she still does it. I also don’t know what’s happened to her hair.
SS: She stands under running water to bathe. Her tongue isn’t like ours and her saliva doesn’t have the cleaning power ours does. Her hair can be cut and let to grow out to different lengths. It’s not like our fur which stays the same length all the time no matter how much new growth we have.
Spot: Oh. So, both are okay for her?
SS: Yes. (pause) Would you ever want to be a bigger part of my magazine someday?
Spot: I don’t know yet. I like the idea and especially that you and mama work on it. I do like how it supports animal charities around the world who need the support. I know I’ve been in the magazine because I’m a part of your book. I do know mama has written about me too.
SS: So, that’s a maybe?
Spot: Yes, I might join later on.
That was all I asked him. I might interview him again later on. I still don’t quite understand why he thinks my girl is a cat. It’s probably because she bottle fed him when he was a kitten. Yet, when he was that young, he stole my crunchies too. He was too much for me until he grew up and calmed down.
Greetings from your godly emperor, his Royal Highness Julius. I am writing to you from the warm comfort of my winter country home. I hope all of you are faring well through this harshest season and looking forward to the sunbeams of spring. I am well, as always. I have a fire to sleep by and many beds and chairs all to myself. More importantly, I have my own throne at last—a proper throne, a regal throne, from which I can gaze upon my empire.
I have to keep close watch over my territories. Outside, there are all sorts of vicious barbarian animals who might try to invade. There are other cats to fend off, passing dogs, skirmishing leaves. One of my servants has made mention of other, even crueler animals in the forests nearby, but I am not afraid of them. I am Emperor Julius, after all, and I rule this place.
Things are going well for my empire right now. I am warm, comfortable, well-loved. The food rations could be larger, but we must count the blessings we have. Beds of ice coat the world outside, and I hear reports of a roaming plague in the human world beyond. My servants keep close to me, for they are afraid. But they are safe here with me, under my protection.
I will keep tireless watch over everything. I will fend off every stray leaf that comes near, every wild threat. As long as I am emperor, no harm will come to my servants. May you all stay safe and warm in the new year, and may your food dishes always overflow with holy kibble.
Cats can be cooperative when something feels good, which, to a cat, is the way everything is supposed to feel as much of the time as possible. —Roger Caras
Perhaps cats are on to something by being cooperative when it feels good. I have noticed the cats I live with aren’t too bad to get along with because I treat them with respect. To me they are people and they deserve to be treated as people. In return, cats are kind to me much of the time.
Like a graceful vase, a cat, even when motionless, seems to flow. —George F. Will
Cats have a grace I’ve never mastered. Even in motion, they tend to have better coordination than I’ve ever had. That’s why I can watch them for hours and find myself waiting to drawing them or write about them.
I found Sir Socks in a good mood and a good place. So, I sat down in front of him.
Sir Socks (SS): Ali, what are you doing now?
Ali: Interviewing you.
SS: Why?
Ali: Because I think the readers of Sir Socks Le Chat magazine would like to learn more about you.
Sir Socks sighed. I raised my eyebrows as I waited patiently on him.
SS: Oh, right, go ahead and ask your questions.
Ali: Why did you start this magazine?
SS: I saw a need that wasn’t being addressed fully. There are charities which get ignored for one reason or another. I knew you had done a book with Frisky Le Rouge to help raise money for Dingo Venezia. I knew from your experience in publishing that you could set up a magazine like this and help keep it going. I wanted to help ensure cat and other animal charities were getting a voice and be able to connect with those who could help them.
Ali: How do you feel about writing articles?
SS: I don’t mind the work. I do like to assert myself and express my opinions.
Ali: You’re good at it.
SS: Thank you.
Ali: Am I still too silly for you?
SS: You are much sillier than I could ever be. However, I have noticed you’ve become a bit of a curmudgeon lately. What happened to you?
Ali: It’s the influence of my dad and you.
SS: Really?
Ali: Yes. It was your examples and some hard times I’ve had to deal with. (pause) How do you feel about downgrading the magazine’s site to a free one?
SS: I wasn’t happy we couldn’t get enough donations right away. I know we have tried to be as clear and as front as we need to be. Yet, there aren’t enough humans who trust us to help out with our mission. I hope we can at least pay writers for the work they share with us. Too many like yourself are underpaid.
Ali: At least we have the free site. I don’t know what I would do if we didn’t have this one. Or even the Cat Tale books to help featured charities.
SS: I am also glad we have the Cat Tales books. And you do so much to keep the whole thing together and running smoothly. I think the current setup is the best way to do things. It gives people time to learn about us and see if they want to support us and our mission. I suppose we will have to change our mission.
Ali: In what way? We already had to drop the featured monthly charity because we couldn’t find one to go along with us.
SS: At this point I wouldn’t even think about bringing the back. If they don’t trust us, there’s nothing more any of us can do now for them. I thought we were transparent enough. What more to people want of us?
Ali: Too many expect me to work for free or work a job I’m terrible at and can’t keep no matter what I do.
SS: Then how are you supposed to afford to live?
Ali: I don’t know. I think people who believe I don’t deserve to be paid decently for any work I do want me to die so they can take what little material wealth I own as their own.
SS: I don’t like them. I think they have misjudged you. I know what a good person you are. Besides, I think you are much happier to work at home and be around us cats more often than not.
Ali: Cats are a big support. I know I have to serve you cats on a regular basis. So, I don’t know why I can’t just serve at least one in my daily life as well as serve many more on a much larger scale.
Sir Socks yawned.
SS: Is that all your questions?
Ali: For now.
Sir Socks stared at me studying my face as he tends to do. We sat in silence observing each other.
Sir Socks Le Chat 