Thoughts on Cats

Cats are the most self-contained creatures on earth. The only things they need from an external source are food and water, and, if left to their own devices, can usually produce those themselves. Turn an adult cat loose in the woods and he will hunt for food and find water.

Cats do not take baths as humans or dogs do. They are their own bathing machine. It is a beautiful thing to watch a cat take a bath. A cat is pretty lazy, so he does not bathe his entire body all at once. No, this hour it is the chest, then a nap, then the hind parts and legs. He is ingenious at bathing the top of the head. He uses a paw as a sort of wash cloth, wetting it down generously with the tongue, then applying it to the top of the head in strokes. All cats, whether feral or domesticated, want to stay clean.

If you are yourself lazy, you don’t want a dog. They are wonderful creatures, too, but they require more care than a cat. Dogs have to be bathed regularly, walked and played with. Give a cat a litter box, a meal and water, and he will stay happily in the house. But if you wish him to be a house cat only, do not ever let him get a taste of the outdoors, because then he will want to roam and will worry you to let him out. Housecats will be lazy with you, curl up next to you and purr a soothing lullaby. They like to play too, but they get over it quicker than dogs.

There is nothing as cute as a frisky kitten of about 8 or 10 weeks old. They look at you with those big innocent eyes and respond to your playful gestures; and it is so much fun watching two or three play together. It is a shame that, in order to be responsible, we have to “fix” our adult cats, because I for one could live happily in a world where there is always an adorable litter of kittens around to play with. But I know that cannot be.

Have you ever observed the love on a Mama cat’s face as she lays her legs and paws across her feeding brood and looks up at you as if to say, “See my babies? Aren’t they beautiful? Thank you for caring for us all until I can raise them up.” Such a look should melt any kind person’s heart.

Anyone who is brutal to cats is a person who should be watched closely, because he has no heart. Actually, that goes for brutality to any animal. Such actions demonstrate a cruel lost soul that would treat a human the same, if given half the motivation. Beware of such people. I have heard there are people who put little kittens in bags and throw them from cars on busy streets. Such people should have the same done to them, or worse.

The Bible tells us that God cares about even the little sparrows. That means he cares about everything in His creation. Surely He does not take lightly when man is irresponsible concerning any of it, including the proper care and regard for animals. We are to have dominion over all of them, but as good and wise stewards. We are to protect and care for them. That includes, of course, controlling the population of animals, as best we can.

I am sure that, if left alone, cats would, in a few years, vastly over-populate the earth. That is largely because they are so independent and self-sufficient. That is why we should all do our part and spay or neuter our pets. I know. Then we don’t get to experience much of the “adorable kitten” thing, but that is the price we must pay for being responsible pet owners. Anyway, there are enough kittens born now to provide every home with one; and a house is really not a home without a cat.


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