Sunday, January 30, 2011

EQUAL TIME

(Puss n Boots from Shrek 2)
Seems like lately all I do is talk about my dogs. Have I forgotten the name on this blog!?
It's time for Equal Time for the CATS!
I want to bring up something that I as a cat lover am sure that other cat lovers know but don't talk about and that is if you talk too much about your cats, you are in danger of being judged and labeled as: The weird cat lady (or guy).

I think that television and movies especially kid movies are reponsible for alot of this negative feelings towards cats. When I was a kid, I wanted a cat in the worst way. I begged and pleaded for one. But my father hated cats. I remember in one argument when he said that he didn't HATE them he just didn't LIKE them. When I disagreed he said, "Hey, if I saw a cat while driving, I wouldn't go up on the sidewalk just to hit it".  He thought that was funny. I remember thinking that you could LOVE someone but not always LIKE them.
And even though I longed for a kitty I was frightened of Siamese cats. I remembered how EVIL they were in the movie "The Lady and the Tramp". So if a cat worshipper like me could believe these movies, think of all those little kids out there, being brainswashed that cats are evil.
and that they are BAD LUCK, especially black cats.

(The following Black Cat info is from: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Black_cat)
The folklore surrounding black cats varies from culture to culture. In Great Britain, black cats are a symbol of good luck. The Scottish believe that a strange black cat's arrival to the home signifies prosperity. Furthermore, it is believed that a lady who owns a black cat will have many suitors.

(Bela Lugosi and Boris Karloff)
However in Western history, black cats have often been looked upon as a symbol of evil omens, specifically being suspected of being the familiars of witches; other cultures consider them to be bad luck as well. The gambling world is afraid of a black cat: it is believed that if, while traveling to a casino, a black cat crosses a gambler's road or path, that person should not go to the casino; most players believe that black cats bring bad luck. Other black creatures, such as black dogs, have shared in the prejudice and suspicion of being "familiars".
The black cat in folklore has been able to change into human shape to act as a spy or courier for witches or demons. During the Middle Ages, these superstitions led people to kill black cats. This had the unintended consequence of increasing the rat population and the spread of the Black Plague and other diseases carried by rodents. There is no evidence from England of regular large-scale massacres of "satanic" cats, or of burning them in midsummer bonfires, as sometimes occurred in Europe.
HPIM0208
(my cat - Harry)
However, the supernatural powers ascribed to black cats were sometimes viewed positively, for example by sailors considering a ship's cat in general and a black one in particular as luck for their ship. Sometimes, fishermen's wives would keep black cats at home too, in the hope that they would be able to use their influence to protect their husbands at sea.


and then the MYTH'S about cats:

That they will crawl into the babies crib and suck the life out of the baby.
 Myth: Cats Steal a Baby's Breath

http://pets.webmd.com/
This superstition goes back to the 1700s. When babies died of sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS), people were quick to blame a cat seen lying in the crib. Today, soft toys, illnesses, a stomach-lying position have all been linked to SIDS — but not cats. Cats are drawn to cribs because they're warm, cozy, elevated places – perfect for a catnap.
And what about people thinking that cats are evil and bit for no reason.
Fact: Early Bonding Key for Kitty

 http://pets.webmd.com/

Cats that are aloof or bite the hand that feeds them probably had no exposure to people in early life. Feline behavior experts say a kitten needs regular contact with people in the first seven weeks, or it may never bond with humans. Even five minutes a day in the early weeks will teach a kitten not to bite when the hand of a towering human lifts it off the ground.
and
Cats don't love you like dogs.

http://pets.webmd.com/

Fact: Cats May Love Too Much!

Behavior experts confirm that some cats really do experience separation anxiety when apart from a favorite person — and that's one reason a sweet kitty may pee on your clothes when you're at work. Other signs: the cat paces, vocalizes, or blocks the owner's path to the door. Left alone, she may vomit or be too worried to eat. For cats who love too much, behavior therapy can help – and Prozac.


http://pets.webmd.com/
Fact: Cats Kiss With Their Eyes

Cats communicate with a slow blink, according to feline experts. With their own kind, it's a peace sign, meant to put other felines at ease. Aimed at a human, this seductive blink shows affection, even love. People can return the love with a long gaze and slow blink to "blow a kiss" back in cat body language. The calming blink works on house cats, feral cats, and even tigers in the wild, according to behaviorist Roger Tabor.
So there....just a few things concerning cats, XOXO - Crazy Cat Lady Cindi

10 comments:

The cottage by the Crane Lake said...

Lots of interesting facts!

I was thinking about the Middle ages and my country. I know they connected the cat with witches and the devil, but I have never heard that they throw cats in the fires at midsummer.

But that time was more violent further south in Europe. Perhaps we still were to much pagan in our ways to do such a thing :-) (and still are :-) :-) ).

My cats aren´t especially cuddly at all to be honest and Teodor has the habit of chewing on a finger or a toe, but they did grew up in a barn without especially much contact with humans.

Have a great day now!
Christer.

Unknown said...

Well that was just a fun post! I never knew most of this cool cat info. I am surrounded by three cats, two black and one black and white. I have not had many suitors though. ha ha
The long slow blink I recognize! My cats love me - how wonderful!
Cool post Cindi!

Abi said...

Wow! I learnt something today... I already new I was a cat freak, but the slow blinking... that's fascinating.

Thanks for sharing Cindi!
Love the images too.

Georgina said...

I never listened to all that negative cat yap!! My Dad hated them too, but then, he wasn't much of a critter lover. My Mom, on the other hand, loved animals and grew up with them. I used to love visiting my maternal grandmother across the river into Mexico. She had all kinds of critter. I recall her 'gator, Juanita, she kept in a Venetian cut glass bowl, until Juanita outgrew her little bowl and my she gave her away to some guy who lived out in a ranch and had gators there!! She always had boxers named Czar and Siamese cats with silly names. One year she adopted 2 of them, male and female, and name them Princess Grace and Prince Rainier, after the great royal's wedding.

However, we didn't have any animals except for a Cocker Spaniel that almost chewed away the first couple of layers of skin of my left hand. Tippy went to stay in Mexico at my grandfather's brewery, where he must have ticked off someone there because they found him dead just a few months later...had been poisoned.

I love kitties and I want one, but our Senor Cacahuate won't tolerate it, so here's hoping for someday bringing a kitty into my home...I miss my Tomas, Bandit and Purcy...those were my kitties after I was married, the fist time. My children grew up with Purcy and he never was a threat to any of them...he was a lover!!

Have a great week and don't forget to come by tomorrow to my blog for a crack at winning my door prizes for OWOH.

xxoo,
Georgina

yoborobo said...

I love black cats. We have two! Opie, my younger black kitty, sits on the arm of my chair every night, like some funny hood ornament. He is the sweetest thing. :) Luna is a cranky old cat, but we all love her anyway. People who don't love cats (including my mom!) just don't know them. Yay for kitties!! xoxo Pam

Sandy Mastroni said...

love blinks
oh I love those love blinks

sassypackrat said...

I love cats! I've had 2 black cats. I find cats to be just as loving as dogs just in different ways.

Yasmin said...

Hi my sweet friend,
thank you for your visit in my blog and their support words.
it is one delights to see the pictures of these loving felines here.. I like dogs a lot but I have to admit that my perdition is the cats.
I could count countless recounts fantastic that I lived with the cats that accompany me and the ones that already went by my life since my 8 years old of age that was when I acquired my first kitten... she called if it snows.
each cat has a different personality.. as the humans.. each one has his grace.
But all have love their owners.. no as effusively as a dog.. we say that it is a more refined love.. something of love of souls.. think me.
xoxo >^.^<

Blue Dragon Arts said...

this is wonderful!!! thanks for all the 'cat' info.

patricias fabric art said...

Just came across your blog,I am so surprised that black cats are considered unlucky we always believe they are so lucky "when a black cat crosses your path".I go out of my way to look for them !! and I have a beautiful black cat "buffy" 'though she is a bit of a spoiled brat,and I also have her son "babs" areal lovable slob!!