Catscapades

Therapy animals are becoming more and more prevalent in our society. We’re all familiar with seeing-eye dogs, but now we also use animals for seizures, hearing, stress, emotional problems, social discomfort, and more. We use dogs and cats in education–to help children learn to read, for example. This type program is highlighted in my Klepto Cat Book number 8, Celebrity Cat Caper. There are programs where volunteers take cats and dogs into assisted living homes, which help comfort the animal as well as the individual. http://www.matilijapress.com/Klepto-Cat-Mysteries/CelebrityCat.html

Cornell University of Veterinary Medicine has announced a partnership with the ASPCA to sponsor a program that brings seniors and seniors together. That is people and pets, but not just any pets. These are cats that have found themselves in animal shelters. Read about this pawsitively purrfect partnership here: http://goo.gl/Z5lnl5

Studies have shown that having an animal around can actually affect one’s health in important ways, such as lowering blood pressure, feeling calmer when under pressure. This article at the National Center for Health Research website gives a good overview of these scientific studies. http://center4research.org/healthy-living-prevention/pets-and-health-the-impact-of-companion-animals

I’ve also heard of cats curing disease or at least easing the symptoms quite dramaticly. If you’ve had such an experience or you know someone who has, please share the story here.

While researching for this post, I came across an astonishing new piece of cancer research.

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There’s been some research indicating that there could be a cancer cure covered up in the litter box? Check out this story here: http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/279776.php

I didn’t even know there was a controversy—I’m quite sure other cat fiction authors and their readers didn’t either. I was contacted this morning by someone from National Public Radio, probably because of the article appearing in the Wall Street Journal this week (the one that mentioned me and the Klepto Cat Mystery series–on the front page!). They want to pursue the “debate” about talking cats versus silent cats in fiction on a show airing this evening. Hopefully we will connect today.

As I said, I didn’t know there was a dispute or argument. I thought there were just authors who write books featuring talking cats and those who don’t. The cats in the Klepto Cat Mystery series happen to be ordinary cats with a few extraordinary habits. Oh, a cat can communicate alright, using her body, eyes, ears, tail. Any cat person can recognize when their cat wants out or in, wants to be petted, doesn’t want to be bothered, wants to play, is tired of playing, is bored, frightened, excited, sad, hungry, angry, or annoyed. In fact, cats are so good at expressing themselves and those of us who love our cats are so eager to please them, cat owners are sometimes considered “staff.”

What will I say about the controversy? The cats in my stories certainly communicate, but not using human vocabulary. Nor do they talk to humans through ESP. But that doesn’t mean I think it’s wrong to feature talking cats in stories. Each to his own way of perceiving and enjoying cats.

I get a lot of email related to cats—from members of the Cat Writers Association, friends, colleagues, fans, and others. I particularly enjoyed this one sent by the Cat Channel. It makes it pretty clear what a cat likes, right? This shows where cats like to be petted.

I think we’ve all intentionally or not ruffled a cat’s feathers when trying to show affection. Here are some additional links to help us get purrs from our cats instead of hisses (and scratches).

http://www.wikihow.com/Pet-a-Cat

http://theoatmeal.com/comics/kitty_pet

Here are the top ten mistakes of cat ownership. I would imagine that one is to expect a cat to act like a dog. http://cats.about.com/od/newtocats/ss/Top-10-Mistakes-of-Cat-Owners.htm

And for those of you who like more graphic examples—let me introduce Jackson Galaxy from “Cats From Hell.” He offers several videos demonstrating how to handle a cat. http://www.animalplanet.com/tv-shows/my-cat-from-hell/videos/how-to-properly-pet-your-cat/

Behaviorists say that cats do not meow when they’re alone or with other cats. This is not how they communicate with their kind. Their meows are meant only for their humans. Some say that when a cat meows, they’re simply mimicking us. This has made me wonder what else cats do for our benefit.

We just returned from a brief trip and, when I walked into the house, I noticed something—there were no kitty toys sprinkled throughout the rooms. As I’ve mentioned before, Lily likes to carry her toys around in her mouth. She has a wide array of stuffed toys and every day she decorates the house with them. She lines up several toys at the bedroom door at night. In the morning, she brings toys and drops them at my feet. She also brings my slipper socks. Sooooo cute!

Until now, however, it didn’t occur to me that she does this strictly for my benefit. Whenwe left three days ago, I picked up Lily’s toys to make it easier for our housekeeper to clean the floors. And, while we were gone, it appears that she didn’t disturb them. All of her toys were piled in her toy basket. But within a few minutes of us being home, the toys began to appear here and there. By morning, they were lined up around my bedroom door. And when I went to work in my office, here she came with her various stuffed animals which she dropped at my feet with a “prrrt.”

Just when you think you know your cat, she throws you a curveball. What has your cat taught you about her nature and habits, lately?

My dad once put a magnet on his refrigerator that said, “If you want the best seat in the house, move the cat.”

Isn’t that one of the charms of your cats? They know how to make themselves comfortable. And it’s certainly something we can all learn from them. Sure, cats can get uptight—when you approach them with the cat carrier, while on the veterinarian’s exam table, when the trash truck is in the neighborhood, amidst a home remodel, when you turn on the vacuum cleaner… Lily hides either in the closet or under the covers in the bed. Sophie has a hiding place we haven’t found yet—we think it is the only blind spot in the entire house behind one of the computer desks.

The cat that inspired the book series

But for the most part, we see our cats relax—sometimes in some of the most uncomfortable-looking poses.

Today, I thought it would be fun to share some of my “relaxed cat” photos.