and people who rescue cats are more often called "Crazy" as in Crazy Cat Lady?
Just wondering.
and yet get this guarded look about them when someone talks about their cat.
Even if they own a cat.
I mean, I've done it.
I've been at a check-out and had a cashier ask me how many cats I have as she's rung through my cat items
(food, litter, toys) and as I felt the stare of a customer behind me, I found myself saying...three.
Which is true, I own three.
Yeah.... OK, I have MORE than three but I do have three.
I usually reply with the breed of whoever I am buying for at the moment.
"Oh, A Great Dane" as I buy the 40lb. bag of food.
"Oh, a Poodle" as I buy a little bed.
"Oh a little white fluffball". when I buy tiny sweater.
"Oh a Border Collie" when I buy a Frisbee.
"Oh a terrier mix" when I buy a guaranteed indestructible dog bone.
But really, people smile when I say I have a small herd of tiny dogs.
and yet they raise their eyebrows when I reply that I can count my cats on all my fingers.
Maybe I'm just defensive because the other day someone said I was a crazy cat lady at work.
I bit my tongue and held back mean retorts and
fought the urge to point out out that a couple of them actually live at the clinic
Still, it really bugged me.
17 comments:
Yes, there is a stigma when it comes to cats. Not fair. I'm a crazy dog lady. I didn't intend to be one but I am. I'm just amazed how you make the dogs and cats work. I had one cat once at it was pure chaos! And they all got along! You just have a heart of gold and can't say no to helping a creature in need and that is not crazy....that is good!
Nita, you are so right. cat people are ridiculed.
I get annoyed at portrayals of people on TV who have several cats, as someone who has given up on life, gone crazy and filled their homes with ugly cat paintings and figurines...(although I have to admit, I've met my share of eccentrics. At the clinic we had a older couple who brought in their loose-leaf folder filled with plastic inserts of photos of their cat's poop in the litterbox. They kept it as a visual diary of his "habits".) It's people like that who given cat owners the bad rap I suppose. But when you stop and realize how popular cat videos are on the Internet, I have a suspicion there are a lot more cat lovers out there who are scared to admit it.
As far as my pet-filled home...maybe working in boarding has sharpened my pet care skills. It's all about routines, the right cat litter and a front loading washing machine! LOL!
Amen sister!
Thanks Warum, Zazu and Angus!
Ghost totally agrees and
Harry? he doesn't give a cat's turd what anyone thinks of him!
(The rest are oblivious to the whole situation).
Pay no mind to stupid people. I think it is wonderful what you do.
Thank you Lynn.
I try not to let it bother me but it hurts sometimes because I feel like they are trying to imply that either I am nut case or the I live in squalor.
Truly, thanks for your comment!
she is a small minded witch.
i use that word instead of bitch.
because i happen to think that ANYTHING to do with dogs is wonderful. therefore i would not raise her station enough to call her a bitch.
she is insensitive and unkind.
and hasn't got a clue.
you're an ARTIST. and a SAINT.
who just happens to have the misfortune to have to be working in her vicinity. Meh.
oddly enough... my next post is all about the cat. and was already written when i read this!
talk about two great minds again!
Yes, you are right! I am always terribly embarrassed to 'admit' (Yes, it feels like I have to admit to it) that I have 12 cats, mostly rescued, or whom rehomed themselves, yet when I say 11 dogs, I don't bat an eyelid, and neither does anyone else. Now when I had 18 cats, that was even worse - the look on peoples faces!!
That's because cats are mystical "all knowing" secretive creatures who are very selective about whom they approach... and like.
This makes some people uneasy, as if they feel that by looking into their eyes, cats can SEE their soul and read their thoughts.
And thus, perhaps, these same people - who don't like cats, and unsure about the people associated with them - have a little something to hide deep down :/
Hence (I believe) their remarks, and sometimes offhand disdain, of people who have more than one feline, are to be given a wide berth ;)
Also, it may go waaay back in collective conscious memory, to the unfair days of persecution of folk labelled as witches, whose familiars - often cats - were killed along with them.
Beautiful black and white kitties by the way :)
I miss my black cat, Sunny.
Tammy, actually the term "witch" is most likely too good of a word. Since I've been told that actual "witches" mean to do no harm to people and are more of "one with the earth" and like the "live and let live" philosophy if I understand it correctly.
No, the other word is more appropriate, not only for that remark but also her eye-rolling when I was talking with the vet about my Ruby and her heart issues. That being said, I'm definitely not a saint. Not when I have these feelings for this particular person. Nope.
But it's so kind of you to say such sweet things.
Thank you! xoxoxo
Abi, 18 cats!!!
Hahahaha! just kidding.
I probably would have that many if I had your land. So many people are quick to envision squalor and neglect when our numbers are higher than the norm.
I have always loved seeing your fur-kids lounging in your beautiful home. YOU are the perfect example of someone with lots of style and class and lots of rescues.
Maybe other people just don't realize that the extra "work" is paid back a thousand times over.
Unconditional love is priceless.
Thanks for commenting Abi!
xoxo
Oh Vicki! I LOVE this comment!
I so agree with everything you said.
This same person had to draw blood from one of our house cats (I wanted his thyroid checked) and she was about to get some other techs to assist her because he had been "awful" during his senior blood-draw. I told her "No. I will hold him" and I did. But I first cupped his face and looked at him in the eyes and told him that it would be fine. That HE would be fine. And then I held off the vein in his back leg as he just laid there. The tech was shocked that he was so good. (I was not.)
and...you really made me think about the last part of your comment. :)
The fact that there's red in my hair and that I prefer black cats probably would have me roasting back in the day!
Thanks again for the great comment!
xoxo
I don't know why it is like that but then we don't really have the saying crazy cat lady over here.
People do think I'm crazy for having four dogs and two cats though but who cares :-) It's my life and my money and I do as I please with both :-)
Have a great day!
Christer.
You don't have that saying over there, Christer?
Hmm. I thought it was universal.
:)
Over here, 4 dogs and 2 cats wouldn't really be shocking except in most of the cities, they only allow a total of 4 pets. Some even are so strict as to say only 2 of a species. So you could have 2 dogs and 2 cats but not 3 cats and 1 dog..isn't that insanely stupid!?
That's why I live in a city with no limit restrictions except they have to be current on the Rabies vaccination.
I read recently that cats think that they are smaller humans. Seriously, humans to cats are bigger versions of themselves. Cat psychology is funny.. now humans..... i cant DECIPHER!!!!
How is lil' Ruby??
Regreta,
Hmmm, I have to think about that.
I've always thought that cats probably regarded us as servants.
Someone to feed them, play with them if and when they feel like it and then there's the fact that we scoop their poop for them! LOL!
Thanks for asking about Ruby.
They took her blood pressure and it was within normal range. They don't want to make any changes to her medications...and I'm to keep her from getting too excited.
So right now, I'm just watching her and worrying but hoping for the best.
Thanks again for asking! xoxo
I love Vicki's post too! Interestingly enough, most of 'our' cats, give my husband a wide berth... I'm not sure why, because he is never mean to them.... I'd love to know what it is that 'puts them off'
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