02/26/06 Cats

Earlier today I sent the Sunday cartoon from 9 Chickweed Lane to some friends who have cats since it deals with the weirdness of cats. Here it is:

http://news.yahoo.com/comics/9chickweedlane;_ylt=An8hgVJW1CiORk19oIlIbFUDwLAF;_ylu=X3oDMTBiMW04NW9mBHNlYwMlJVRPUCUl

I do love 9 Chickweed Lane and Pibgorn, both drawn by the same guy - small plug there. But this does just illustrate some of the oddities of cats. I mean, I see why the Egyptians revered them. They're just too freaky to be natural! Have you ever noticed how they sometimes stare at nothing? Do you find yourself looking at the spot they're staring at, trying to see it too? And they can amuse themselves for hours with a feather, but if you buy them high-tech toys, they can't be bothered. Like children, they prefer to play with the boxes.

I'm watching X2, and the scene where Wolverine unsheaths his claws at the cat is perfect! Granted, Geordie would be hiding under something, but I can see Isis doing just what the kitty there did, lick his claws. They have that "it's all about me" attitude that adolescents can have. When I disturb Geordie, when he's sleeping on the bed, it's obvious I'm the one at fault, since I had the nerve to walk into the bedroom! What was I thinking? Laundry? Not at the expense of his nap!

And they taunt us, have you noticed that? Isis sharpens her claws on the little couch, and Geordie sharpens his on the bedroom carpet. Now, I'll grant you that we are going to be getting rid of the couch as soon as we can convince some sucker, um, that is, some lucky recipient to come haul it away, and the carpet is going to be replaced when we re-do the bedroom, but that's not the point, and they know it. It's sheer insolence.

But then they cuddle up with me and purr, and are all snuggly-warm, and I know they're evil and all, but still...Or they'll burrow under the fleece on Lillian's lap, just about the time she's had just enough of them, and they manage to appear to be loving and sweet. It's an act, I know it, she knows it, they certainly know it, but it works anyway. Every time.

And cats have variable gravity! And they flaunt it! You know they do. They can be light-footed and quiet coming up behind you so you almost step on them, and then they can thunder through the house, shaking knick-knacks off the shelves. Let one of them, from 30 lb. Maine coon cat to 5 oz. kitten land on your stomach, and anvils don't weigh as much! But let the same kitty pad softly across your foot or arm while they're trying to steal your tuna, and you can barely feel them. Why can't I have that skill when I'm standing on the scale at the doctor's office?

I've had cats all my life, starting with Sir Thomas the huge grey tabby, and I'll probably have them the rest of my life, but I don't think I'll ever understand them. And maybe that's why I enjoy them so much!