However, a recent comment on an old post got deleted because it didn’t really add to the discussion; except to allow me to expand upon their misconception. It is a common one, and it goes like this:
No , cats are just retards they arent waiting for you to show any sign of trust . The fact is they are unpredictable . Its cute though how you think a cat is smarter than it really is . Verbal reaction? Cats cant even remember their own names . You shout anything in their direction and they acknowledge ( sometimes )
This person is sharing their own experience. I don’t doubt that, with such an attitude, the cats they encounter have no interest in trying to change their mind.
But I do.
We all share the caring and intelligent actions our cats take, and together we change the mighty stream of unthinking reflex when it comes to cats. This thinking holds two contradictory thoughts; that cats are too dumb to react in any way that would show they acknowledge loving care, and that cats are also so smart that they manipulate us into taking care of them while they give nothing back.
This is the all-too-common attitude that cats are both stupid and sneaky.
Well, which is it? Because they can’t be both!
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Cats are the most popular pet in the world. See this map of cat ownership worldwide to get a sense of how many people enjoy cat companionship. We can’t all be deluded, can we? Are we all just fooling ourselves that we get caring back from our cats?
My mission with this blog is to help people realize how and why cats are reciprocal. Unlike a goldfish, which has limited means of showing affection, and unlike dogs, who respond with affection no matter how they are treated, cats bestow their friendship only upon those who show they believe it exists.
Convincing people that cat friendship exists is truly half the battle.
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There’s more ways to get our cat to be affectionate in The Way of Cats than the article you are reading now. See all of my CAT AFFECTION posts.
Just replace the word “cat” in that rant to “a slur for a race or religion that I don’t belong to” and you can really understand the mindset behind it. It’s “hate for no real reason, other than–umm…I HATE those people! Not that I actually know any!”
Yes, you make a good point, Bill. I guess prejudices are just as unthinking for anyone.
That person is obviously both angry AND ignorant!
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I worry about people (especially children) who have such negative feelings about cats (and other kinds of pets, too). Perhaps no one has talked to them, fussed over them when they were sick, played with them, etc.
I saw all of those things just today, when I brought my oldest cat Sophie back from the vet. Her “nieces” chirped when they saw her, came and washed her face, rubbed against her softly, and laid close to her when Sophie settled down. Even the big boy, the youngest, brought her his favorite toy, dropping it in front of her with a gentle head-butt.
What a person doesn’t see in a cat, may be invisible to him in people, too.