mcb
The Living Force
We have a cat, Bella, that is the most intelligent cat I have known. She is about 75% Maine Coon, and we were warned in advance that she opens cupboard doors (and she does!). She is about two years old and has lived with us for three months now. She likes to look out windows, but now in the colder months the shades are often lowered in the evenings and she can't see out. I have sometimes raised them again for her when I saw what she wanted, but beginning yesterday she has been letting me know in no uncertain terms if I fail to notice. She will walk up to the shade above my desk and poke her paw into it.
(Looking out the window after poking the shade)
I have seen her trying to pull open drawers in the kitchen and even sliding (pocket or closet) doors, and she will twang the doorstop on the hallway door if it is closed and she wants out, but this was still a surprise, perhaps because she does it right under my nose.
What is it about cats, dogs, and humans? In spite of our huge differences we seem to be able to develop two-sided, mutually satisfying relationships. In some ways, we can connect very directly and rather deeply, and we can learn from each other. In these cats (we have two) I see a different balance of centers, tilted strongly toward the instinctive, but with emotional (clearly) and intellectual centers as well. It is fascinating watching one of them try to solve a problem such as how to reach a certain high place or fish something out that is out of reach. They are quite good with their paws even without much in the way of thumbs, and I am astounded at Bella's precision jumping ability.
STS? Certainly. But not totally. Having two cats (both female Maine Coon mixes) is showing me things I had not been able to observe before. They groom each other, play together, explore the house together, and sleep together keeping each other warm. You would think they were litter mates, but one is from Central California and the other is from Nevada.
I think they would do more for us if we were more like them. Sometimes they will offer a little "grooming," in the form of licking, in spite of our lack of fur. I do wonder what they will come up with next.
(Looking out the window after poking the shade)
I have seen her trying to pull open drawers in the kitchen and even sliding (pocket or closet) doors, and she will twang the doorstop on the hallway door if it is closed and she wants out, but this was still a surprise, perhaps because she does it right under my nose.
What is it about cats, dogs, and humans? In spite of our huge differences we seem to be able to develop two-sided, mutually satisfying relationships. In some ways, we can connect very directly and rather deeply, and we can learn from each other. In these cats (we have two) I see a different balance of centers, tilted strongly toward the instinctive, but with emotional (clearly) and intellectual centers as well. It is fascinating watching one of them try to solve a problem such as how to reach a certain high place or fish something out that is out of reach. They are quite good with their paws even without much in the way of thumbs, and I am astounded at Bella's precision jumping ability.
STS? Certainly. But not totally. Having two cats (both female Maine Coon mixes) is showing me things I had not been able to observe before. They groom each other, play together, explore the house together, and sleep together keeping each other warm. You would think they were litter mates, but one is from Central California and the other is from Nevada.
I think they would do more for us if we were more like them. Sometimes they will offer a little "grooming," in the form of licking, in spite of our lack of fur. I do wonder what they will come up with next.
