This morning, I was sitting on my couch drinking my coffee (happiness!), and my cat Pumkin came over for her morning love. We have a thing in our house where I sit in Baddha Konasana (cobbler’s pose) on the couch—completely slouched, mind you, and covered in soft cashmere blankets—and make a “nest” for kids or cats (or kids pretending to be birds) to hang out in. Pumkin came over and started kneading my belly, the way cats will. And I thought to myself…”yesssssss!” I mean, how often do we women get our bellies gently, lovingly, purringly massaged? Even my masseuse, whom I adore, avoids the stomach area. This is just one reason, I thought to myself, why woman love cats. Here are a few more:
Pumkin
1. If we had tails, we would use them to communicate the way cats do. Cats’ tails are so much more expressive than dogs’ tails. I love my dog, but there are only one or two different motions that tail makes. Cats…well, there’s the “I’m tolerating you, but I don’t really like it” swish. Then there is the “interesting, very, very interesting” full-bodied wag. Then there is the “I’m getting angry and I really mean it” snap of the tail. There are lots more tail expressions, but those are just a few of my favorites.
2. They don’t beg, they demand. Here is the brutal truth, all woman crave an “alpha” (which is why we love romance novels so much). But with cats it’s even better: There is no guessing—you know what they want, when they want it, and how they want it. It’s such a relief because we can just give up for a while.
3. You can leave them alone for a few days and they’ll be just fine. Really, what could be better? Some food, some water, some kitty litter, and they’ll still be happy to see you when you come home…sort of…in that cat way of showing happiness…if they feel like it.
4. Their incessant sensual napping, while making me jealous, is a reminder to take time out to rest. I can’t tell you how many times I have requested to come back as a cat in my next life. Pumkin manages to find the softest, fluffiest, most peaceful, and warm spots and spend hours, literally hours, curled up in a ball of serenity. I want more of that in my life.
5. They are as cute as kids, but without all the fuss. Whether it’s their kitten eyes of innocence, or their inability to resist batting at a piece of yarn or a toy. Actually, they are as cute as puppies, but are immediately house-trained. I mean, what could be better?
OK. Now it’s your turn. Why do you think women love cats? (And don’t try to deny it, either.)
Great piece, as I am a cat (& all animal) admirer. They relax you. A purring cat lying on my chest or stomach will often relax me enough to nap. I also like the way they look at you, with half-closed ,pleasure filled eyes.
Our pets cannot offer anything to us but themselves,
and that’s a wonderful gift!
Enjoyed your articule!! And it is all true! I have two rescue cat’s ( I had three but I think the foxes or coyotes got her), they don’t like each other
at all but it ‘s fun to watch how they look at each other and try and sneek up on each other.
Thanks for the reminder…They FULLY understand “Leave me alone for now”. They get it! They are like a really really close girlfriend with fur!
I’m allergic to them, but love them anyway! How can you not when they do things like this?
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SXpgvsllTgs
I could not agree more. Cats forever! Blogged about ’em myself on Prevention.com:
http://pvnm.ag/gIw8Ke
I agree with you. Nice reflexions.
I do love my kitties too. Although I could do with out the clawing of my furniture and the 5 A.M. wake up call–kneading on my bladder; a not so subtle request for breakfast. However, when I sit in my spot ready to relax and reflect after a long day, there, without fail, is my little Sarah, who snuggles and purrs with contentment on my lap.That makes the wake up call worth it.
The you tube video was the best. It made me feel all fuzzy and warm inside. =)
my cats are the best reading buddies either curled up in my lap or next to me. Even better is the magic trifecta what is known in my house as the kitten jamboree–when you’ve got one laying on either side (because they are brother and sister and very jealous of each other getting attention, this is a rare happening). They are better than a hot water bottle when you aren’t feeling well and need a little warmth and comfort. Finally, my cats are talkers and both have their own language which keeps me company during quiet hours like first thing in the morning while I’m getting ready in the bathroom or when I go to bed with a cat curled up next to me.
My puppy thinks he’s a cat! Go figure!
Your puppy is enlightened!
Not a big fan of cats, but I think they are quite cute. Too finnicky for me! The good thing is they’re low maintenance compared to dogs, but I think that dogs are more loving and forgiving!!
Okay I’m covinnced. Let’s put it to action.
Purrrrrfectly timed post, Maria! An adorable kitten adopted my 4-year-old son earlier this week and although we already have one cat and a dog, none of us could resist his sweet non-needy attentions. Peach Cobbler is at the vet today getting a snip and some shots. (Yes, my son named him.) I’m looking forward to sharing many hours of good, kitty love with our new buddy.
Ha! Post from February?! How did I miss it the first time around?
I found this cat in a box on the side of the road. She was about one week old. I took her to a Vet and left her not knowing what to do with her. I don’t know what kind of cat she was, but she was mean. The next day i went back to the Vet and picked up the cat. Not being a cat lover and living in the counrty i really didn’t think she would live that long but somehow it felt wrong leaving in a cage to die. Long story short, she love’s my wife, kills everything else. Rats, Mice, scorpians snakes you named it and she kills it. The only problem is i can’t figure out what kind of cat she is.