BRIEFLY ABOUT CATS
I have to admit that I am more of a dog lover than a lover of cats. When our sons were home we had dogs. Cats were not even a consideration as a pet. As Homer Simpson once said when Marge invited him to pet their cat instead of their dog, “What’s the point?”
Well, now that our sons and the dogs are gone I have found a surprising new friend that is our neighbor’s cat. Her name is Crouch. She is definitely a “people” cat and loves to visit us. Yes, I have fed her on occasion and let her in the house so she has reason to visit our granddaughter. Crouch has helped me to over come some prejudices about cats and I have found that I actually enjoy her company. So out of this friendship has come further interest in domestic cats. Here are some tidbits of information.
Domestic cats belong the Felidae family that includes lions, tigers, leopards, etc. There are 38 known species of cats in the world. Cats are hunting carnivores with strong predatory instincts, powerful jaws and sharp teeth along with claws. They have acute hearing and their eyes are adaptable for vision in dim light. They usually do their hunting after dusk or just before dawn (with a cat around there won’t be a mouse problem).
There are distinct domestic cat breeds. Most are usually agile, intelligent, independent, and (as in the case of Crouch) on occasion affectionate. I have enjoyed the company of our neighbor’s cat. However, I am not ready to own one.
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March 25th, 2009 at 5:00 pm
There are three cats in our house and all three have drastically different personalities and behaviors. There is the people friendly cat that can’t get enough of visiting with humans, the independent cat that is out in the open but very much keeps to herself, and lastly the fearful cat that follows the law of the three F’s (fight,flight, and freeze) perfectly.
Behavior issues with cats are broad and are one of the most common reasons cats end up in shelters or abandoned. If your cat has bizarre or destructive behaviors visit your vet. Often a veterinarian, and especially a behavioral specialist, can help you understand why these behaviors are happening and suggest ways to resolve them if needed. It is also very important to rule out any medical reason for the unwanted behavior.
May 1st, 2009 at 10:05 am
Many cities and towns have local ordinances limiting the number of pets a person may have, and may also restrict or forbid certain pets (such as fowl or exotics). Certain breeds of dog, such as pit bulls and rottweilers, are banned in some places. Dog/other canid/wolf mixes are also banned in some places.
June 15th, 2009 at 6:39 pm
I can totally relate to Josh. I have taken care of cats and other animals since a was ten years old and I know first hand how different cats can be from silly(running into the patio door on multiple occasions), to a very independent(stays to themselves and comes to you when they feel like it and only then) and then there is the very social(I will follow you every where you go and if you leave I will wait by the door until you return).
I have just rescued two bothers and they are complete opposites as well. I love having the social brother(Happy) following me around the entire house while talking to me at the same time. The independent brother(Oscar), he loves to stay to himself by finding cabinets and other hideaways I have not discovered yet. When he wants attention, he will become this big furry baby that wants belly rubs and complete affection but only then. I like their differences, it makes them unique. The same way people are different, it makes us who we are as well.