The bond between cats and humans?

Seems that the news lately must be pushing for newsworthy articles. I was reading an article on a study report about Cats preference in bonding with women over men.

However, as any of us feline owners and lovers know, cats will choose who they wish to bond with, and they aren't discriminatory. Men can have just as deep a bond with a cat as women can. I do know for me though that most of my soul bonds with animals has been mostly with cats, and one dog.

Maybe it's our personality traits or thinking patterns that tend to bond us closer to our cats. All I know is if that bond is ever broken, it is excruciatingly painful for quite awhile.

The study noted that the bond between a feline and their human is much more intense than they ever thought it would be. Hmmmmm, seems to me we could have told them that. The study felt that part of this bond is due to food often being used as tokens of affection, and the ways that cats and humans relate to food are similar in nature to the interactions seen between the human caregiver and their infant. Maybe so, maybe not, I'm a bit ambiguous about this idea. I did agree with the fact that cats and their human companions do influence each other. We really do.

I have long felt overall that cats really are our best friends. Many was the time that if I was very sick, it was my cats who stayed with me through it all, got up when I ran for the bathroom and accompanied me. The dog never did. I don't disagree that dogs aren't loyal, there truly are some exceptional dogs out there, just for me, the cats have been the ones there always. I think cats are the healers of the soul and they heal you with their vibrations and energy at a much deeper level than you might think. There is something about the purr of kitties that brings healing, contentment and a profound peace inside. In that respect, dogs are not quite there. They tend to love you and lend you their energy with quiet stoicism.

Actually I didn't intend this particular entry to show between dogs and cats that one is better than the other, I merely wished to point out the points of our bonds with cats, and that they are very intense when established.

I do know that when my bond with all my soul mates of past has ever had to be broken through death, it really has been a profound grief and absolutely heartbreaking. It has been almost a month since the bond breaking with Djinn now, and I still grieve deeply. The thing I've noticed with Jasmine is that she automatically seems to sense or know when I am grieving and is very quick to put herself in my arms and snuggle over my heart and purr. I know it's her way of trying to help me heal, and to give me healing. She chirrups, purrs and rubs on me as much as she can to bring a smile instead of tears. Yes her bond to me has happened fast and furiously. And it's already very intense. It's been quite an experience.

I could never be without a cat in my life, they have taught me so very much and given me more than I could ever hope to share or repay. And the same for a dog, I'll have another one day, who is special and will bond with me.

Anyhow, I'd love to hear your attachments with your cats, how do they affect your life? What are the bonds like?

Pet Mutilation or Not?

And the debate rages on about whether or not it is cruel and wrong to declaw your cat, debark your dog, crop ears or dock tails.

According to a poll from MSNBC today, nearly 60 percent of American pet owners, this includes 55 percent of cat owners, claim it is OK to have a cat declawed, but only 8 percent of those approve of having a dog's vocal cords removed. Experts say though that both procedures are painful and alter how the animal walks or communicates.

Any way you care to look at it, declawing, ear cropping, and tail docking is amputation. Creation did not mean for them to be minus these parts.

In the case of declawing, imagine having every single one of your fingers removed from the last joint to the tip, that is what  you are doing when you declaw your kitty. It is painful, and every kitty I have known whose owner barbarically decided to remove his toes has been very touchy about their feet, and it changes how they use their feet completely. And should your kitty get outside, you may have signed his death warrant, for kitty is now defenseless against other animals.

Docking tails, sad really, as that has usually been a vanity or appearance issue. Dog use their tails to communicate with you and other animals.  It is painful, and usually done when they are just under a year of age. There is no real good reason I can see anymore to dock the tails. I understood sometime in the past for some forms of working dogs it was primarily a safety issue, but that isn't always so anymore, we don't run the same equipment or procedures we once did. Same goes for ear cropping. Personally I prefer floppy ears that you can stroke and massage, and most dogs love having their ears paid attention to. And when you remove most of that body part, you also remove most of the acupuncture or critical pressure points that can enable health and well being for your dog. Stroking the full ear keeps those points stimulated and in turn keep the systems stimulated and functioning properly.

Debarking or removing the vocal cords on your dog, that is in my estimation a sad issue. Dogs communicate to us with their voices, and body. Without the ability to bark, dogs can no longer communicate with humans or other animals. If your pooch barks too much, there is probably an underlying issue, and one you have not perhaps tried to solve without surgery. Sometimes it's a behavior issue and addressing it with the proper attitude and training can change it. And some dogs are naturally very vocal, but they should be taught when it is or isn't proper to bark. You wouldn't dream of removing your child's vocal cords because he or she talks too much would you?

The way I see some things is this, and here are some observations and ideas:

In the case of kitty clawing too much or you get scratched too much. Quit playing with kitty with your hands! Always play with a toy with kitty. Don't tease kitty or make him feel threatened, by pretending your hand is the bogey monster, this encourages the defense mechanism and will ensure you get scratched. If kitty is inclined to scratch your furniture or rugs, buy simple sisal or sea grass rope wrapped scratching posts, put them throughout your living space, in the main areas of furniture or the rooms they are bent on getting at furniture or rugs. For some reason, I have not been able to discern yet, cats seem to prefer using the rope wrapped posts or a condo with a couple rope wrapped posts on them to conventional rug wrapped items. They also like cardboard or plain rough wood. I think perhaps it is something more natural feeling to them. Mine go to their rope wrapped posts over anything else every time. And upon installing them through the house they have ceased their destructions of the furniture. And to attract them to the posts or item you install for them to sharpen claws on, you can make a strong tea of catnip and using a ordinary household sprayer, spray the tea on their items to attract them. And remember that you will want at least one or two items they can climb and perch upon. Even if it's a climbing post to a windowsill they can sit on and sun themselves. You'll have a much happier cat.

If you are thinking about cropping or docking for your dog, think again. Are you working him? Is there truly a valid reason to do this? Most dogs are pets, and not shown, so why do it? You and your pup will be ever so much happier that you didn't do it. If it isn't a safety or health reason, don't do it.

Debarking..... Sorry, all the way around this is just wrong and cruel. Take behavior classes, socialize with your pooch, go to training sessions or see a professional trainer. Perhaps as a last resort try an antibarking device. But don't deprive your four-footed child of his voice. You most certainly wouldn't do it to your two-footed child.

Anyhow, my point is, it's simply wrong to amputate or alter body parts to suit a "look" or your convenience. Take the time to work with your pet, after all, you chose to be responsible to care for him or her for their lives, they aren't there as your status symbol or to keep up with the Jonses, they are your companion for their lives and you assume responsibility for their well being, health and care for their lives. You don't mutilate your family to suit your "ideals" of image or fashion, so don't do it to your furry family members please.

Life with a kitten

It's been awhile since I have had a kitten in the house. I have forgotten just how much joy, smiles, and laughter they can bring. And just how fearless they are when they realize their territory, or what they consider their jungle, you call your house, is.

Miss Jasmine has certainly come out of her shell, is no longer afraid and has very much claimed all the house and plants as hers. Not to mention she has become a toy fiend. She simply loves toys and loves to play. She has also bonded with me very well, and has attuned herself to me. She seems to know the minute I am feeling sad or when grief hits when I am missing Djinn.

However, I am not overly sure that my poor houseplants will survive this little terror attacking them or playing hide and attack from their pots. It seems nothing is safe nor sacred with her. And a water squirt bottle only deters her while you are in the room. I came down this morning to one overturned larger plant that she obviously tried to climb, then had to dig some of the dirt out and scatter all the area rugs. Thank heavens for tile floors. She also has my husband firmly wrapped around her little tail. He's bought her several toys and most times seems he'd rather watch her play than watch his show on TV.

This little gal has some fun and new traits that are coming out (think Imp in a kitty suit). She simply loves it when hubby is playing Starcraft II on his computer, she is fascinated with it, and insists on checking out everything on the monitor, which while it frustrates him, makes him laugh at the same time. She likes watching the computers when she can, and loves to watch TV if there is enough action on it. She loves to talk to me vocally, and with her eyes. She is a purring machine and the moment she scoots up onto my chest where ever I am at, she's purring furiously and giving me the "I Loooove you sooooo much" look. She runs around when she is full of piss and vinegar like a little monkey and is all over everything. She simply loves to torment Yummy as much as possible, and he is so tolerant, but when he's had enough, he'll grab her in a bear hug, hold her down and wash her till she screams. Mr. Mom he is. She also is not friends with the dogs yet, and plays the hunter stalking prey every time they are let out in the main part of the house. She talks loudly when it's supper time, attacks poor unsuspecting toes from under the bed (they may never be the same again), stretches out to seemingly be the longest kitten in history on the bed at night, and certainly tells you in no uncertain terms if you have offended her in some way. Last night she wanted to be lovey while I was chatting with my friend on my phone via text. I happen to have a phone charm of the Cheshire Cat on my phone and its dangling there was too much temptation. I think received enough pokey holes in my fingers trying to type while being attacked, to qualify for acupuncture. She is also the most lovey and cuddly little thing when she wants her loving and wants to give her love. She loves to rub on my face and have me kiss her. Seems in my arms on my chest is her secure place, no lap for her, no siree, and usually while I am busy doing something with my hands, like type or crochet or some other silly thing. Thank heavens she hasn't figured out how to knock stuff off of the bathroom counter yet!

This past Saturday I finally was able to get her to my vet for her overall check and rabies shot. She enchanted everyone and was so good and well behaved, almost thought I'd brought the wrong cat in, but it was all good because she interacted with everyone. Even wanted to play with the vet's light for the otoscope when he checked it on the table. It was great to make him smile too. She is about the age we thought she was, the shelter had way over estimated her age and weight when we adopted her. Currently she's about 4 months now and is 4 lbs. And she received a very clean bill of health. It was also nice to take a healthy active kitten in for once instead of a pet going through end of life situations. And for once having been a feral stray kitten, this was a beautiful transformation to behold.

She has brought many smiles to the house again. I have certainly missed having a kitten in the house. And I am so glad she picked me. Truly they do pick us to share their lives with us. We just need to be receptive for them. She has helped me through my grief and loss so very much, and you can see her doing her best to keep me from being sad anymore.