Benny gets the most joy when his human mom brings home rescued kittens, so he can help look after them and show them the same love that he received when he was rescued. Whenever Ellen brings home an orphan baby (or a box of babies), Benny anticipates their arrival and is filled with excitement. He becomes their dedicated surrogate dad, and his fatherly instinct kicks in the moment he sees a kitten.
I feel like the reason certain dog-lovers insist cats are evil is because they read their body language as if they were dogs. So here’s a very basic guide to common “mean” things cats do that actually aren’t mean at all if you know what they’re thinking.
Rolling and exposing belly- attacks you when touched Does not mean: Give belly rubs! – haha I tricked you! Actually means: I’m playful! If you reach for my belly I’ll grab your arm and bite it because I think we’re playfighting!
Lazily exposing belly – still attacks when touched Does not mean: tricked you again! Actually means: I’m showing you my belly because I trust you. Please don’t break that trust by invading my personal space. I might accept a belly rub if I’m not ticklish and I know you well.
Snapping at you while being pet Does not mean: I suddenly decided I dislike you! Actually means: You’re petting me in a way that gives me too much restless energy. Please focus on petting my head and shoulders instead of stroking the full length of my back next time.
Is in the same room but makes no attempt to interact Does not mean: I’m ignoring you Actually means: We’re hanging out! I’m being respectful by giving you space while still enjoying your company.
Slapping/scratching your hand when you try to pet them Does not mean: I hate you! Actually means: You’ve failed to establish that we’re not playing, or the way you’re approaching me scares me. Be calmer, speak more gently, make eye-contact and blink slowly at me before you try again.
I’m sorry but if I need a pamphlet to understand cats, I don’t want them
Would say the same about a human? Doubt it.
My dad always says “cats are just humans too” and that actually a really good thing to keep in mind. No, cats aren’t human but they have preferences and wishes that they can’t communicate to us using words so they use actions.
It’s no different to a person trying to communicate their own needs but not knowing how to phrase them.
If we make an effort to understand, we’re rewarded with trust and love.
It gets better—the guy is deaf, and he taught his cat the sign for “food.” So the cat’s not just saying “put that in my mouth,” it’s actually signing
Not only that, but if you notice at the beginning, the cat *gets the man’s attention* as any person who wanted to talk to a deaf/hoh individual would (well, and vice versa IME). I’ve done sign since I was 5, and generally, w/o eye contact initially, you wave a hand or lightly touch the arm (if that’s ok with the person you’re trying to converse with, of course). Generally, adult cats meow mostly to humans, but this cat has figured out that’s not going to work and has adapted. Animal companions! They are INCREDIBLE.
Amazing.
EVERYONE STOP WHAT YOU ARE DOING AND LOOK AT THIS CAT.
Yesterday at the foster clinic there was a woman with a litter of tiny, tiny kittens, one of whom was a beautiful orange and white creamsicle. I told her, “I love orange boy cats, they are all so stupid.” and the foster mom said to me, with tears of love in her eyes, face glowing with maternal pride, “He is only 6 days old and I can already tell that he’s going to be so stupid!”
I am SO tired. It’s been a long coupla weeks here and I am GOING ON VACATION.
I’m leaving this Sat to JAPAN for 2 whole weeks and will probably not have internet access, so brace yourself for my (mostly untagged, sorry) queue!
I went through it and looked for anything that NEEDED tagging, and I think it’s all G rated, I’ll check it again, though. If there’s any NSFW, it’s art, not photographs or gifs of real ppl, but you can unfollow if you’re nervous about that.
Almost 300 posts just sitting there. Gonna increase the flow of it in my absence, maybe 10 posts a day. I’ll have to go back and tag them in my copious free time when I get back.
I’ll post an away notice tomorrow or Sat morning when I’m on my way off the grid. I’ll take tons of pics and share what I can when I get back!
P.S. I’ll be looking for VC doujinshi out there, too.
“He’s behind me making that fucking face again. I don’t even have to turn around to know it. God damn it. I hate that goddamned stupid face he makes. God fucking damnit.”
I-want-my-IWTV 