Inspired Critters

Swirls inspired by cat...or vice versa

We threw the fleece blanket on the bed and didn't really work all that hard to straighten it this time.  It was laundry day and the sheets were on their way to the washer.  But, of course, one must always be aware and in tune with the comforts of the household feline.

Actually, don't tell Bree this, but we put that fleece blanket on the bed to collect the fur on something that is easier to wash.  As far as she is concerned, that blanket is for HER COMFORT.  Plus, the swirls in the design inspire her to make swirl herself.  Or, more likely, the swirls on the blanket are attempting to imitate the cat.  Art imitating life, as it were.

Tammy, who does not post all that often on social media, decided to share this picture and ask if others had images of their furry friends blending in with their surroundings.  I nabbed some of them and ...

Well, here we are.

Award for best illustration of "cat gravity"

Anyone who has ever had much interaction with a cat can tell you that they have an amazing ability to change how gravity works depending on a situation.  For example, the same cat that just hopped lightly from the floor to the top of the refrigerator can suddenly weigh as much as an anvil when you want to get up from a chair and the cat does NOT want you to.

I would say the picture above illustrates a significant amount of "do not disturb" and I am guessing this cat might actually be approaching the "two anvil" level of cat gravity.

Award for best example of "cat hypnotism"

Then, there is cat hypnotism.  The three critters you see above are *ahem* supposed to be farm cats.  As in, outdoor, working cats.  We have it on good authority that they were NOT going to be allowed indoors.  Cat hypnotism, that's what this is.

If you don't think cats use hypnotism, let's just consider this.  How many of you, who say you love cats, have gotten a really nasty scratch (or two or twelve) from a feline friend that you were cuddling not long after?  Probably all of you, myself included.  

There can only be one explanation - and that's cat hypnotism.  Somehow, they can make you forget what you've learned or decided where they are concerned.

Award for best blending act

Is that a puddle of curtain that looks like a dog or a puddle of dog that looks like it is a part of the curtain?  The surest way to determine which it is would be to state, loud enough for all to hear, that you are going to take a short walk.  If there is no motion after that, it's a puddle of curtain.  'Nuff said.

Award for depiction of the La Brea Blankets?

I think many of us periodically envy cats and dogs for their ability to find absurd ways to look OH so comfortable.  This holds true even if it looks like this dog is going to be swallowed and suffocated by the surrounding bedding.  There is no sign that this pooch is even remotely concerned.  Instead, the look on its face only suggests pure bliss and relaxation.

Award for...ok.  No camouflage this time.

Dogs, unlike cats, appear to be born with an abundant supply of patience.  Unless, of course, there is a walk in the offing.  Yes, I know there are pictures of cats that have been dressed up, but you can see - deep down - that those cats are plotting the demise of the persons responsible for their predicament.

These dogs?  They might feel a bit persecuted, but it was their human, so it's all good.

Award for illustrating the weight pets carry in their lives

I had to include this one because it makes us all talk about the elephant in the room.  No, really, there is an elephant on the dog's back.  A PINK elephant.  And, it looks HEAVY.

But seriously, let's talk about the weight our companion animals carry with them.  It is the weight of the incomprehensible "humor" their human friends indulge in periodically.  I still remember (with a small amount of pride) the utmost disdain Strider (one of our first feline friends) had for us as he quickly realized the red dot was coming from a device in our hand.

Some cats will run around like crazy for hours if you turn on a laser pointer and move it around.  Not Strider.  He let out one of those "hhhumphs" of his, sat down and gave us a withering glare.  Eowyn, his sister, showed her own disdain for Strider by happily chasing the red dot.  Typical sibling logic, if you don't like it, I'll show you what you're missing.... NYAH!

Award for looking like you're supposed to be where you aren't supposed to be

Here's another thing cats, in particular, are good at.  They can make it look completely natural that they should be where they are - even when they should NEVER be where they are at that point in time.  This is especially true if there are particular house rules about such things.

What?!?  I thought you said I was supposed to sleep on your pillow!  Huh?  I always sit on (or in) the potted plant.  What are you talking about? I thought you turned on the computer so it would warm up and I could sit on it.

Award for least effective use of natural camouflage

It is my understanding that, if you want to blend in, you should keep the stripes in the same direction as the grain of the wood.  I mean, it's only a suggestion.  But, once again, the cat looks so darned happy - how can you complain?

For many cats, this "sprawling out on their back" thing is a trap.  They probably have one eye half open, waiting for the unsuspecting human to reach down to give them a pet on the their exposed belly.  Once the human does that, the cat may demonstrate how your hand could be an excellent pincushion.  

Now, I realize there are actually some felines out there that do like to get a belly rub, but I think they may be in the minority here.

Award for illustration of cat guilt generation

Since most people seemed motivated to share pictures of pets that were being sleepy and snuggly, that allows me to discuss another cat characteristic - the ability to generate massive amounts of guilt.  

Tammy and I have been around enough felines to know that they can play the guilt game better than most people.  For example, if you sit down to read a book or watch a movie, you might be ready for a cat to sit in your lap.  At this point, your feline friend will probably feign some indifference, but they will eventually join you.

Early on, they will probably purr a bit and maybe move around a bit to encourage a good skritch or two.  Eventually, they might relax and actually doze.  It's all quite sweet, isn't it?  They hook you into the process of inviting them over and then trying to convince them to chill out.

Also an award winner for cat guilt generation

But, they can tell when your investment level in the process is beginning to wane.  Perhaps your bladder is a bit full or you are feeling like you want something to drink.  Or maybe you have some event you need to get to?  The cat can sense your tension level rising.  And, as that tension increases and you begin to steel yourself to remove the cat and get up and go, they pull out the cat guilt generator.

They make sure you can see their happy, but VERY sleepy faces.  Or, they turn their head a bit and increase the "cute-o-meter" reading.  Perhaps they even pull out a few cute, sleepy sounds.  Or, worse yet, they offer up a gentle (but clearly still sleepy) purr to suggest that you are doing just fine - and wouldn't it be a shame if you ruined all of this happiness?  And, of course, in all of these cases, they are prone to increase their cat gravity at the same time - just to make it that much harder for you to move.

Yet somehow, all of us with cat companions manage to live with ourselves, despite the guilt of disappointing them on a frequent basis.  And, we all need more exercise anyway, so it doesn't hurt to lift a cat that has the weight of one or two anvils once in a while.

Have a great day everyone.  And remember to give your furry friends a kind word and a nice skritch today.