Cats are awesome. Admit it, anyone who ‘hates’ cats is clearly suffering from a serious case of denial. After all, once you get to know a Felis catus, they’re irresistible!
Some cats like water. Did you know that cats don’t naturally hate water. Most felines freak out, not because it’s water, but because they’re unaccustomed to the sensation. Cats have multiple layers of fur, giving them an essentially waterproof coat.
Note: My cat, Dexter, was a stray who’s undoubtedly found himself drenched in rain. Unlike my other cat, Zeno, he purred during his one and only bath. (He had flees.)
Cats are the introverts of the Animal Kingdom. Any hardcore introverts out there? Ever been accused of not caring about someone? While dogs–nature’s extrovert–prefer to be in a pack, cats–a solitary creature–need some alone time throughout the day. Still, that doesn’t mean a cat is incapable of love. Just search “Cat Protects…” on YouTube if you’re in doubt.
Catnip. Need I say more? Is there a dog equivalent? I don’t think so! More so, each cat has their own reaction to this strange plant. Some go crazy, others roll around. Some–like my cat, Zeno–eat it, then fall off their perch.
The purr. Used by mothers to comfort nervous kittens, cats purr throughout their entire lives. If you’re upset, some cats will purr to you. The amount of purring depends on the cat. Dexter, for example, will purr just because you looked at him. Zeno, however, makes it a challenge. (He also has different levels of purring: deep rumbles to high squeaky trills.)
Cats are self-sustaining. Someone once told me that if you leave a cat in the country, it’ll hunt. If you do it with a dog, however, it’d starve. While I hope this isn’t true, there’s something to be said for cats. Growing up, I had a cat named Buster (whom we called ‘Gaboo’.) Even though declawed, he still managed to climb trees, hunt squirrels, and kick the fluff out of any stray cats unfortunate enough to underestimate his awesomeness. Simply put, cats are survivors.
Things my cats have taught me…
Perseverance. Cats have a hard time with the concept of ‘No’. Simply put, if they want something, they’re going to find a way to get it. A closed door? Ha! Clearly, you’ve never heard of cats that can open doors.
The importance of body language. You’ve probably heard that the only reason cats meow is because humans don’t understand cat-talk. Did you also know that cats have a complex system of non-verbal language? My favorite is the slow blink. Imagine saying, “I love you.” Blink on ‘love’. If you do this with your cat, they’ll often blink back–showing their trust and love.
Comfy is key. Have I bribed my cats into favoring my room above others? Of course–cats also teach you to play dirty at times. A heated blanket is key. Not only will your cat love it, but you will too!
