Cats March to the Beat of a Different Drummer
Welcome to Caturday when we celebrate the antics of our Cat Wisdom 101 fab four: Merlin, Gris Gris, Domino and Odin. It boggles my mind to think there are people who lump all cats together, as if they were all the same. But you know the truth: every cat is different and we believe…
This was our week: Cats have as many moods and expressions as humans do.
The most striking behavior of cats outdoors is their innate sense of balance. With the freedom to race around, climb trees, hunt, play or nap, they do everything in harmony with their bodies using all six senses.
After Odin races up a tree or chases Domino, he stops when he’s had enough in the classic sideways reclining pose to pause and rest. When it’s hot, they seek shade. They drink water when they’re thirsty and as the sun sinks in the west, they always face west. When they want company with a human or another cat, they brush up against them. When they want to be left alone, they make it known with a sound or a gesture. It’s all so simple. We have much to learn from cats if we slow down enough to watch and listen.
Merlin: I love simple pleasures like my porch time and a bowl of fresh water.
Domino: Busted! You found my secret hiding spot. What do you mean this isn’t the jungle?
Domino: It’s like this kid; I don’t always want you around.
Odin: I just wanted to pounce and play. Well, phooey! Let’s see you do this, fat boy hehehe! Poor Domino can’t climb trees.
Domino: I could if I wanted to but I prefer the ground. Isn’t this sun-dappled arbor lovely? If only the paparazzi would disappear.
Odin: I love the camera and the camera loves me. Yes, we could be models for a Ralph Lauren ad. Too bad he only uses dogs. Let’s go check on the catnip in the herb garden.
Nothing yet. Good thing we have a stash of the best organic catnip indoors.
Wanna horse around? Wrestle? It’s true:Cats are always elegant.
Domino: Nothing more to do but lie around and watch the sun lower into the golden magic hour.
Odin: I love you Domino.
Domino: Me too, kid.
Did someone say, “Dinnertime?” How was your week?
Every week, the bonds ebb and flow with each cat. Some days, Odin clamors for attention, some days it’s all about Merlin. This week my bond with the mysterious and ethereal Gris Gris made another quantum leap. I need only think of him and he appears like smoke from an Aladdin’s lamp. Sometimes, he’ll sneak on top of me, feather light, embedded in a duvet crevasse. I have to stay still or he flees. Recently, when I slowly extend a finger from under the covers he lets me stroke his head and I’m rewarded with a sotte voce purr. His eyes speak volumes, all poetry.
It took months to heal from his previous traumatic life and he would never look anyone in the eye and his tail rarely waved upright and confident. Cats who avoid direct eye contact are submissive and unsure. Gris Gris is still shy but confident now, his pencil-thin tail usually upright and happily strutting in his unusual pony gait. When his liquid amber eyesmelt into mine, I melt. He marches (or trots) to the march of a different drummer and that’s okay with me.
13 Comments
Oui Oui
We love how Odin loves all cats. He really is a sweetie.
Angie Bailey, Catladyland
Domino just cracks me up!! As always, great photos!!
CATachresis
I don’t think I realised about the cat not looking in the eye is overly submissive! I love it when Austin and I share a look. I know he’s thinking “What’s she want now?” lol Great post x
Brian
It is very obvious that they loving being with you to do what they do best, be themselves!
Marg
Yup, we totally agree that we all have very different personalities. All 20 cats here are different in so many ways and a lot of us are brother and sister, and Mom and chillins. It is amazing to watch the interaction and the personalities going to work. And the interactions between the cats is interesting too. WE have a lot of that around here. Great pictures. Take care.
Deb Barnes - Zee and Zoey
I love the individual bonding and personalities in your feline family. Domino telling Odin he does not always want him around, was a hoot!
Katnip Lounge
I agree 100% on the different drummer idea, BUT–I have seen my cats do quite unelegant moves from time to time. They would have you believe that this never happens, though.
Kathy Thompson
We luv all of the things that you share about your family. This story is so true. I have found that when people that I encounter that say they don’t like cats actually spend time with several they discover what we all know …..each cat IS different from all others! This discovery has led some of those people into belonging to a cat…imagine that. This lesson is just one more that applied to life makes us see that no matter the species,human,cat,or any other,all of the members of that species are NOT all alike. Imagine that! Purrs and Kitty kisses Skeeter and Izzy >^#%^< two felines that definitly march to a different beat!
Katie Isabella
I love the photos and the caption/story that goes with them and oh my yes..they have personalities and each one different. Only cat people seem to realize (by and large) that cats are cats, not having a dogs personality and therefore they have cat characteristics! They each have their own ways and I have enjoyed learning the difference in all of my cats’ personalities through time.
Kathryn
Aww, this is the best one yet! The photos, captions all so perfect. So full of life. It was like a storybook, a movie. I was so right there.
The magic of a cat letting his soul into yours.
Mao still has not decided to love me. But he’s letting me stare at him. He’s a Tux. He chose my daughter, then my husband and then my son. I am the Mistress of Food – his servant.
Pam Kimmell
As always, your observations and insight couple purrfectly with the fabulous photos of your crew. Cats are the best – and the sooner we learn the subtle messages we get from them in mind and body the MORE we enjoy the magic that they give back.
Happy Weekend!
Pam (and Sam)
Ingrid King
Wonderful photos. I’m chuckling at Merlin drinking from a “crystal” bowl – only the best for the grand old man of your family!
boomermuse
Ingrid, you’re an early bird today! Thank-you! I would never use real crystal for safety and the lead content. This bowl Pyrex oven-safe glass we’ll let the King think it’s the best 😉