Carnival of the Cats

Today we’re hosting the Carnival of the Cats.

High minded scientific-types often get annoyed with the anthropomorphising of animals. You know “rabbits in waistcoats” type books and people ascribing human emotions to animals.

There is some merit to this position and it can get out of hand and can lead to a failure to understand animals and even to cruelty. In a sense making a bear dance is the flip-side of Beatrix Potter. In a sense, sort-of. But I think it is silly to take this high-minded view too far.

I’ll illustrate my point with something my little black and white tom (pictured above with his Halloween lookalike) did a few months ago…

My wife and I were sitting watching TV and Timmy came in through the living room window and espied a moth on top of a corner-cupboard. With game in his sights he immediately tensed, every fibre of his being intent on his target, and lept. Now that is an impressive leap for a cat and he nearly made it. He reached the top of the cupboard but only managed to get a marginal grip with his front paws. It was alas not enough and he scrabbled for a few seconds (looking for all the world like a Bond villain hanging from the girder just before 007 stamps on his fingers and utters a witty quip) before half-skidding, half-falling down the cupboard and landing in an ungainly heap on the carpet. He then got up and slunk off with his head down and tail down. The only thing he hurt was his pride and it clearly showed. He was clearly embarrassed by his undignified failure and we didn’t see him for quite a few hours after that.

No cats, moths or indeed furniture were harmed in the making of this anecdote.

Anyway, my point is that whilst it might be vaguely anthropomorphic to describe Timmy as being “embarrassed” it is the simplest description and I think it much preferable to some high-falutin’ description from a book on feline behaviour. To a certain extent and in certain ways katz iz peeple to!

Anyway, now for the round-up of the catosphere:

Arthur goes for gold in the “Cat Sleeping Marathon”. (London 2012 - demonstration sport).
Cece and Meoza look cute despite 108F heat. It’s clearly all too much for Cece though who decides to have a yawn.
Peanut demonstrates just how long she’s prepared to be followed for and makes it quite clear when she’s had enough…
Luna takes a nap.
Pudy loses a whisker and Katie ponders the eternal question “Is there a Whisker Fairy?”
Sir Riley the Cute is a naughty kitty but too cute to punish.
Audace and Grace conduct a sofa duel.
The Maximum Leader is in a contemplative mood (or just hungry).
Packet is a long cat and does a mean “Q”.
Hobbes demonstrates how a C21st cat chases mice.
The Cat Realm, dare you all to do something to raise money for cancer research, especially for cats.
Today is Miss Abbey’s purrday and there’s a rather cool photo of her.
Parker has meatloaf.
Dr Henry demonstrates his bedside manner whilst his human mum suffers from a sinus infection.
A kitty at the Kotel, evidently coming back from prayers. Also Missy in the window.
Neighbor rests up after a session with the cat toys and considers a trip to Nashville. Maybe a “Country Cat”?
Loiosh proves to be a little angel - literally.