"It is well to remember that the entire population of the universe, with one trifling exception, is composed of others." A.Holmes

Tuesday, April 27, 2010

The Comfort of Cats

This is Ralphie, our youngest cat. I don't consider myself a "cat lady" and my husband most definitely does not consider himself a cat lover, but tonight as I walked into the kitchen from the sofa I heard him ask me to bring him a toothpick. I asked him if he was just waiting for me to come downstairs to get him one so he would not have to get off the sofa. As I brought him his toothpick I saw he was being held down by cats. One of our cats was on his lap, another lolling over his shoulder and the third was draped over his stretched out legs. He would not disturb the cats to get up and go into the kitchen. I asked him if I could snap a picture of this and he was horrified, he doesn't care for cats you know ( so he says) and someone viewing a picture of him with cats all round might actually think he is a cat lover. Here is Joey, my fierce and loyal black cat. Joey will run to a window if he hears a vehicle pull into the driveway and growl at it. He also talks and one of these days I am determined to have my video camera ready to record him. He often follows me around outside and if he sees me from afar he meows very loudly "hurrow, hurrow" it really sounds like he is saying "hello" with a Chinese accent. He is a talker, but only to me. "God made the cat so man might have the pleasure of caressing the tiger." Ferdinand Mery Candy Cat is totally an outdoor cat. Because of some physical problems she was born with she does not do well indoors. If you are outside though she shadows you and loves to warm the laps of anyone enjoying the porch rockers. "For every house is incomplete without him, and a blessing is lacking in the spirit." Christopher Smart Miss Marple, still the Queen feline around here. "A cat-less writer is almost inconceivable.It's a perverse taste really, since it would be easier to write with a herd of buffalo than even one cat; they make nests in the notes and bite the end of the pen and walk on the typewriter keys." Barbara Holland ( I have to add this because it is so true!)
She enjoys a good nap on our bed. "Since each of us is blessed with only one life why not live it with a cat?" Robert Stearns
When not napping on our bed,she loves to snuggle with me on the sofa. "I simply can't resist a cat, particularly a purring one. They are the cleanest, cunningest, and most intelligent things I know, outside of the girl you love, of course." Mark Twain
During times of stress, weariness, and trial I cannot even begin to tell you how much comfort my cats brought just by insisting themselves on me and purring loudly. They really seemed to know I needed something extra, a warm presence that did not need to say anything, or make sense of distress and grief. The cats just firmly planted themselves against me, or on me and purred. I cannot say enough about the blessing of the comfort of cats. I am thankful God created cats, and I think although my husband will never say it, he is too. "A meow massages the heart" Stuart McMillan You might enjoy this video of a cat called "The Angel of Death", I think this cat should be called " The Comforting Angel".

17 comments:

Anonymous said...

Your cats are so sweet and have such distinctive personalities. I always enjoy reading about their antics! That was a sweet video too. My oldest cat, Kaboodle, "knew" and was of great comfort to me when mama passed. God's blessings come in unexpected ways!

Southern Comfort said...

My very first pet as a child was a cat named Nancy-a very good mouser. I don't presently have a cat, and I miss that. I loved seeing pictures of yours.

Anonymous said...

Nice pictures of your cats! We have 20+ cats here but they are all barn/outside cats since my Mom is allergic to them, alot of our cats are strays or people from church has given them to us!

Amy

Susie said...

It really sounds like your husband doesn't like cats! hehe! I love them! Thanks for sharing all the photos of your babies. They are all so cute.

Connie said...

I loved this post, Kathy. I love cats too, although, I don't own one at the present time. I have owned cats in the past. They have brought me much joy and comfort. I enjoyed the video too. I have heard of Oscar. We have that book at the library. I haven't read it myself, but I have heard good things about it, and it is very popular with our patrons.

Jo said...

We don't own our cats, they own us -- and don't they know it! :-)

Ralphie looks exactly like our Mrs. Jiggs, who lived to be 22 years old. I miss her.

myletterstoemily said...

how funny to say that you aren't cat
people. it seems like you are devoted
cat people!

and what lovely cats you have!

myletterstoemily said...

how funny to say that you aren't cat
people. it seems like you are devoted
cat people!

and what lovely cats you have!

Andrea said...

Blessings and prayers,
andrea

KathyB. said...

Mildred, I am always interested in the unusual or distinctive behavior of pets and how they react to events in our lives. I will remember this about Kaboodle. You have a lot of comfort there in your home too!

Southern Comfort, thank-you. Sometimes when I see pics on your blog my first thought is that your cute little dog is a cat. ( don't tell him I said this)

Amy,are there any barn cats you have become attached to? That is a lot of cats!

Susie, isn't he funny? My poor husband~

Daisy, I haven't read the book either but think I may check out my library for it , thank-you.

Jo, you are so right about who owns whom in regards to cats. But I have convinced myself I am the exception!I am in charge of the cats....bringing them food, opening and closing the door, bringing toothpicks TO my husband so the cats can continue their nap without interruption...

myletterstoemily, moi, a cat person? Surely you jest~

Andrea, thank-you!

Julie Harward said...

I so enjoyed this post because I am a cat/animal lover...and I hate to tell you this..but so are you two! Love it...all your cats are really beautiful.
" The outside of an animal is good for the inside of man"...I love that one too. Come say hi :D

Nancy M. said...

They are all so beautiful! Your hubby just doesn't want to be labeled that way, lol! We have an inside cat who's kinda crazy. But, our outside cat is the sweetest thing. He just showed up one day not long after we moved here. He's the best outside cat I've ever had!

Dolores said...

We have one inside cat and one outside cat...... I love your cat pictures!
Your husband is a real sweety ....Cats tend to wrap their people around their little paws.... ours sure does!
Your cats are so pretty....

Wsprsweetly Of Cottages said...

There have been stories as long as I can remember of animals being able to sense/smell death. This did not surprise me at all when I heard about this particular cat.
I love cats and have always had them but now I have a husband who rules them out. People are funny about some things. My first husband of 43 years LOVED cats and always had them. They loved him right back and were his constant companions. They felt his love for them and trusted him totally! All animals loved him..and I understood. I loved him too. He was special.
Love and hugs,
Mona

KathyB. said...

Julie, that is one of the things I love about you, your regard for animals and children. A kind and sweet heart for them is a heart to be trusted.

Nancy M. You're right about that, my husband does not want to be labeled a "cat person", but the love the cats have for him belies this. And amazing how those outdoor cats just seem to know where they are wanted and appreciated, isn't it? Maybe there are cat lovers at your place!

Delores, I think I just may use your words in another post about cats "cats tend to wrap their people around their little paws", I like that!

Mona, you really sound like you need a purring kitty in your lap! I would miss having at least one cat, and even if it had to be an outdoor cat, I need one around. I gravitate toward dogs and cats I see on our travels and find myself missing the ones back home. I do understand there are a lot of people who cannot abide cats at all, and they do not know or appreciate their loss.But a good and loving husband is of far more importance than a cat, so you can enjoy cats vicariously through your friends and blogs!The best of both worlds~

Mary said...

I tried to leave a comment yesterday. My phone was being stubborn. Gadgets often bring more troubles into our lives!

As soon as I saw the photo of Ralphie I thought, "Oh oh, what has that boy been up to?" He looks like a live advertisement for amusing.

I have outdoor cats. My boxers are not keen on being nice to cats. I do love them. They are interesting animals. Definitely independent.


As I grew up we had a cat. She was not friendly, however, she was smart. She knew things that we did not know. For instance, she always knew when mom was on her way home, even when it was at an odd hour. Bootsie would park herself on the back of the couch, tail swishing, for a good 10 minutes before the car pulled into the driveway. I always appreciated her "sixth sense" because I knew mom was safe and on her way home.

Have a beautiful day, Kathy.

Vickie said...

No more gophers since March, Kathy. I'm up to 5 total, tho! Thanks for asking. And ya'll???

Oh I love cats SOOOO much. But my allergies don't. I'd had a cat or cats all my life, but after our last one was killed by a golden retriever a few years ago, I said no more. My allergies have been better, but I miss the purring and the cuddling with the cats. You enjoy yours for me, ok?