By Charles Towne, the cat's curmudgeon
Cats, unlike dogs, do not need us. They stay with us out of choice, not necessity. -Charles Towne
I recently read the book, "How to Talk to Your Cat" by avid cat person, Claire Bessant, a leading veterinary journalist in England.
Ms. Bessant claims that her book will help a person have a more ‘loving’ relationship with their cat.
She also shares what the cat means when it says “Meow?”, “Meow!” or simply, “Meow.”, as well as other valuable bits of cattish lore.
As I began reading the book, all I wanted to know - after having Vociferous, the big bull puppy cat, Smoky, the puppy kitten, and Calligula, the eighteen pound bowling ball macho dude puppy-cat invade my territory so forcefully - was how to live with them, on MY terms.
In the very first chapter of Ms. Bessant’s book there is a subheading entitled, ‘Entering your cat’s world.’ To be honest, it is not really necessary for me to enter my cat’s world due to the fact that my home is now a puppy-cat-dominated household. In other words, they have invaded MY world.
In another chapter entitled, ’Talk talk’, I learned that English cats, due to typical British snobbery, do not say ‘meow’ like the rest of the world's cats; oh no, they say, ‘Miaow’.
Well, la de da!
The author - also so that you can understand your cat better - suggests that you bend and twist your body so that you can touch your back with your tongue while putting one leg over your head. After all, cats do it!
Why sure, I can do that.
Two weeks later, after several visits to my chiropractor, I am learning to walk again.
During all of this exploring of the cat’s world, my three feline visitors have behaved in an exemplary fashion, teaching me much about what it means to be a cat.
They have given me a lot of technical advice in cattishness, purring their approval both day and night. They also ‘Meow’ their requests, as well as their demands, at times lovingly rubbing up against me, sitting or laying in my lap, or staring at me in a soul searching way; or in other words, just generally being cattish.
Vociferous, the ‘main man’ of the household, is laying on the footrest of my recliner, cuddled up tightly against my leg, purring loud enough to make the windows rattle, while Smoky, my manic kitten, is sleeping on my chair's headrest. Okay you two, this disgusting behavior is going to get you... absolutely everywhere.
Have a beautiful day, and may your cat teach you, too!
Dear Papa God, how much joy went into the creation of cats, both large and small. I have had great fun and even greater pleasure as I watched these feline miracles at play, and just being what you designed them to be. All of your creation touches us so profoundly. Help us to treat all of creation with the respect due it, and help us to remember that man might destroy, but only you can create, with all that means. Praise you, O Holy God, in Jesus' wonderful name I ask it, Amen
Charles Towne
