CATLINES Blog

pet loss

Note:This is from Kathy to Debbie on the loss of her kitty, Chief. I place it here in case it might be of comfort to someone who has recently lost their beloved kitty. Lauren Merryfield, editor/publisher, CATLINES http://www.catliness.com This was sent to me when my beloved Zoomer passed away 18 months ago, after almost 20 years of being my soulmate. Don't grieve too long, for now I'm free I've followed the path God set for me. I ran to him when I heard his call I swished my tail and left it all. I could not stay another day To meow, to love, to romp or play Games left unplayed must stay that way I found such peace; It made my day. My parting has left you with a void Please feel it with remembered joy A friendship shared, your laugh, a kiss Oh yes, these things I too shall miss. Be not burdened with times of sorrow I wish you the sunshine of tomorrow My life's been full, you've given so much Your time, your love, and gentle touch. Perhaps my time seemed all too brief Don't lengthen it now with undue grief. Lift up your head and share with me God wanted me; He set me free. Anonymous And, I too, feel Zoomer settle in her favorite spot on the bottom of the bed and sometimes still I fix her a bowl of food and place it in her eating spot unaware of what I am doing. I hear her voice in the silence of the night and she romps through my dreams. She plays with the others who have gone before, young and well again. Little Britches, my lost love; Muffin, Toots, the Aussie; Charlie, and many others through the years. I firmly believe that our furry children have the ability to pass between worlds when we need them to. We are all surrounded by the ones we have loved and cared for, for they wish to comfort us in our grief, just as they did in life. They wish us sunshine and joy and the ability to extend that love to another in need. So when you feel Chief rubbing against your leg or jingling his collar, know he is there, caring for you. Celebrate the time you had together, it was special and always will be so. These curious, mysterious, and oh-so-lovely creatures are only loaned to us for a too short time and then we must let them go.

cat humor

Politically Correct Terms for Cat Owners My cat does not barf hairballs, he is a floor/rug redecorator. My cat does not break things, she helps gravity do its job. My cat does not fear dogs, they are merely sprint practice tools. My cat does not gobble, she eats with alacrity. My cat does not scratch, he is a furniture/rug/skin ventilator. My cat is not a "shedding machine", she is a hair relocation stylist. My cat is not a "treat-seeking missile", she enjoys the proximity of food. My cat is not a chatterbox, she is advising me on what to do next. My cat is not a dope addict, she is catnip appreciative. My cat is not a ruthless hunter, she is a wildlife control expert. My cat is not evil, she is badness enhanced. My cat is not fat, he is mass enhanced. My cat is not hydrophobic, she has an inability to appreciate moisture. My cat is not underfoot, she is shepherding me to my next destination (which should always be the food dish). --submitted by Chris C.

cat poems

Note:I do not know the author of these poems. Sorry about that. Submitted by Chris C. Cat Kisses Sandpaper kisses On a cheek or a chin That is the way for a day to begin! Sandpaper kisses A cuddle and a purr. I have an alarm clock That's covered in fur! I'm Only a Cat I'm only a cat, and I stay in my place... Up there on your chair, on your bed or your face! I'm only a cat, and I don't finick much... I'm happy with cream and anchovies and such! I'm only a cat, and we'll get along fine... As long as you know I'm not yours... you're all mine! Cats There's music in a hammer, There's music in a nail, There's Music in a tom-cat When you tread upon his tail. Cat Hair Cat hair on the bedspread, Cat hair on the chair. Cat hair in the casserole, Cat hair EVERYWHERE Cat hair on my best coat, Even on the mouse! You live and eat and breathe cat hair, When cats live in your house. A Cat's Prayer Now I lay me down to slee, The king-size bed is soft and deep... I sleep right in the centre groove My human can hardly move! I've trapped her legs, she's tucked in tight And here is where I pass the night No one disturbs me or dares intrude Till morning comes and "I want food!" I sneak up slowly to begin My nibbles on my human's chin. She wakes up quickly, I have sharp teeth - And my claws I will unsheathe For themorning's here and it's time to play I always seem to get my way. So thank you Lord for giving me This human person that I see. The one who hugs me and holds me tight And sacrifices her bed at night Cat Owner's Prayer Because I'm only human, It's sometimes hard to be The wise, all-knowing creature That my cat expects of me. And so I pray for special help To somehow understand The subtle implications Of each proud meowed command. Oh, let me not forget that chairs Were put on earth to shred; And what I like to call a lap Is actually a bed. I know it's really lots to ask But please, ohplease, take pity; And though I'm only human, Make me worthy of my kitty! When God Created Kitty Cats When God created kitty cats, He had no recipe; He knew He wanted something sweet, As sweet as sweet could be. He started out with sugar, Adding just a trace of spice; Then stirred in drops of morning dew, To keep them fresh and nice. He thought cats should be soft to pet, Thus He gave them coats of fur; So they could show they were content, He taught them how to purr. He made for them long tails to wave, While strutting down the walk; Then trained them in meow-ology, So they could do cat-talk. He made them into acrobats, And gave them grace and poise; Their wide-eyed curiosity, He took from little boys. He put whiskers on their faces, Gave them tiny ears for caps; Then shaped their little bodies, To snugly fit on laps. He gave them eyes as big as saucers, To look into man's soul; Then set a tolerance for mankind, As their purpose and their goal. Benevolent ... and ... generous, He made so many of them; Then charged, with Fatherly Concern, The human race to love them. When one jumped up upon His lap, God gently stroked its head; The cat gave Him a kitty kiss, "What wondrous love," God said. God smiled at His accomplishment, So pleased with His creation; And said, with pride, as He sat back, "At last. .. .I've reached purr-fection!" Cats are Wonderful Friends Gentle eyes that see so much, paws that have the quiet touch, Purrs to signal "all is well" and show more love than words could tell. Graceful movements touched with pride, a calming presence by our side A friendship that takes time to grow Small wonder why we love them so. Life is not measured by the number of breaths we take, but by the moments that take our breath away. Lauren Merryfield, editor/publisher, CATLINES htttp://www.catliness.com

cat trivia

Note:This month's cat trivia has been provided by Chris C. I find it interesting and helpful. I hope you do, too. Lauren Merryfield, editor/publisher, CATLINES http://www.catliness.com Learn some things about the wonderful cat..... (I did not make these up, I found them on a cat trivia web site) Both humans and cats have identical regions in the brain responsible for emotion. A cat's brain is more similar to a man's brain than that of a dog. A cat has more bones than a human; humans have 206, but the cat has 230 (some cites list 245 bones, and state that bones may fuse together as the cat ages). Cats have 30 vertebrae--15 more than humans have. Cats do not have a collarbone, so they can fit through any opening the size of their head. The cat has 500 skeletal muscles (humans have 650). Cats have 32 muscles that control the outer ear (compared to human's 6 muscles each). A cat can rotate its ears independently 180 degrees, and can turn in the direction of sound 10 times faster than those of the best watchdog. Cats' hearing is much more sensitive than humans and dogs. Cats' hearing stops at 65 khz (kilohertz); humans' hearing stops at 20 khz. In relation to their body size, cats have the largest eyes of any mammal. Most cats do not have eyelashes. A cat sees about 6 times better than a human at night, and needs 1/6 the amount of of light that a human does - it has a layer of extra reflecting cells which absorb light. Recent studies have shown that cats can see blue and green. There is disagreement as to whether they can see red. A cat's field of vision is about 185 degrees. Blue-eyed, white cats are often deaf. It may take as long as 2 weeks for a kitten to be able to hear well. Their eyes usually open between 7 and 10 days, but sometimes it happens in as little as 2 days. A cat has approximately 60 to 80 million olfactory cells (a human has between 5 and 20 million). Cats have a special scent organ located in the roof of their mouth, called the Jacobson's organ. It analyzes smells - and is the reason why you will sometimes see your cat "sneer" when they encounter a strong odor. A cat has a total of 24 whiskers, 4 rows of whiskers on each side. The upper two rows can move independently of the bottom two rows. A cat uses its whiskers for measuring distances. Cats have 30 teeth (12 incisors, 10 premolars, 4 canines, and 4 molars), while dogs have 42. Kittens have baby teeth, which are replaced by permanent teeth around the age of 7 months. When a cat drinks, its tongue - which has tiny barbs on it - scoops the liquid up backwards. Cats purr at the same frequency as an idling diesel engine, about 26 cycles per second. Domestic cats purr both when inhaling and when exhaling. The cat's front paw has 5 toes, but the back paws have 4. Some cats are born with as many as 7 front toes and extra back toes (polydactl). Cats step with both left legs, then both right legs when they walk or run. Cats walk on their toes. A domestic cat can sprint at about 31 miles per hour. The heaviest cat on record weighed 46 lbs. A kitten will typically weigh about 3 ounces at birth. The typical male housecat will weigh between 9 and 12 pounds, slightly less for female housecats. Cats take between 20-40 breaths per minute. Normal body temperature for a cat is 102 degrees F. A cat's normal pulse is 140-240 beats per minute, with an average of 195. Cat's urine glows under a black light. Cats lose almost as much fluid in the saliva while grooming themselves as they do through urination. Almost 10% of a cat's bones are in its tail (with the exception of tailless cats), and the tail is used to maintain balance. The domestic cat is the only species able to hold its tail vertically while walking. You can also learn about your cat's present state of mind by observing the posture of his tail. If a cat is frightened, the hair stands up fairly evenly all over the body; when the cat threatens or is ready to attack, the hair stands up only in a narrow band along the spine and tail. --Chris C.

cat trivia

Note:I find these "facts" interesting and helpful though I cannot vouch for the truth of them. Hope you enjoy them, too. Lauren Merryfield, editor/publisher, CATLINES http://www.catliness.com List of 13 items • Miacis, the primitive ancestor of cats, was a small, tree-living creature of the late Eocene period, some 45 to 50 million years ago. • Phoenician cargo ships are thought to have brought the first domesticated cats to Europe in about 900 BC. • The first true cats came into existence about 12 million years ago and were the Proailurus. • The ancient Egyptians were the first to tame the cat (in about 3000 BC), and used them to control pests. • Ancient Egyptian family members shaved their eyebrows in mourning when the family cat died. • In Siam, the cat was so revered that one rode in a chariot at the head of a parade celebrating the new king. • Cats have been domesticated for half as long as dogs have been. • The Pilgrims were the first to introduce cats to North America. • The first breeding pair of Siamese cats arrived in England in 1884. • The first formal cat show was held in England in 1871; in America, in 1895. • The Maine Coon cat is America's only natural breed of domestic feline. It is 4 to 5 times larger than the Singapura, the smallest breed of cat. • There are approximately 100 breeds of cat. • The average life expectancy of cats has nearly doubled since 1930 - from 8 years then to 16 years now. list end --submitted by Chris C.

cat trivia

Note:Again, I do not know the truth of all of these "facts" but I find them interesting and helpful. hope you do, too. Lauren Merryfield, editor/publisher, CATLINES http://www.catliness.com --submitted by Chris C. Most of this info is in my books, but for those who have not read my latest book... BUY IT!! hehehehehehe Cats respond most readily to names that end in an "ee" sound. The female cat reaches sexual maturity within 6 to 10 months; most veterinarians suggest spaying the female at 5 months, before her first heat period. The male cat usually reaches sexual maturity between 9 and 12 months. Female cats are "polyestrous," which means they may have many heat periods over the course of a year. A heat period lasts about 4 to 7 days if the female is bred; if she is not, the heat period lasts longer and recurs at regular intervals. A female cat will be pregnant for approximately 9 weeks - between 62 and 65 days from conception to delivery. Female felines are "superfecund," which means that each of the kittens in her litter can have a different father. Many cats love having their forehead gently stroked. If a cat is frightened, put your hand over its eyes and forehead, or let him bury his head in your armpit to help calm him. A cat will tremble or shiver when it is in extreme pain. Cats should not be fed tuna exclusively, as it lacks taurine, an essential nutrient required for good feline health. Purring does not always indicate that a cat is happy and healthy - some cats will purr loudly when they are terrified or in pain. Not every cat gets "high" from catnip. If the cat doesn't have a specific gene, it won't react (about 20% do not have the gene). Catnip is non-addictive. Cats must have fat in their diet because they can't produce it on their own. While many cats enjoy milk, it will give some cats diarrhea. A cat will spend nearly 30% of her life grooming herself. When a domestic cat goes after mice, about 1 pounce in 3 results in a catch. Mature cats with no health problems are in deep sleep 15 percent of their lives. They are in light sleep 50 percent of the time. That leaves just 35 percent awake time, or roughly 6-8 hours a day. Cats come back to full alertness faster than any other creature. A cat can jump 5 times as high as it is tall. Spaying a female before her first or second heat will greatly reduce the threat of mammary cancer and uterine disease. A cat does not need to have at least 1 litter to be healthy, nor will they "miss" motherhood. A tabby named "Dusty" gave birth to 420 documented kittens in her lifetime, while "Kitty" gave birth to 2 kittens at the age of 30, having given birth to a documented 218 kittens in her lifetime. Neutering a male cat will, in almost all cases, stop him from spraying (territorial marking), fighting with other males (at least over females), as well as lengthen his life and improve its quality. Declawing a cat is the same as cutting a human's fingers off at the knuckle. There are several alternatives to a complete declawing, including trimming or a less radical (though more involved) surgery to remove the claws. Instead, train your cat to use a scratching post. The average lifespan of an outdoor-only (feral and non-feral) is about 3 years; an indoor-only cat can live 16 years and longer. Some cats have been documented to have a longevity of 34 years. Cats with long, lean bodies are more likely to be outgoing, and more protective and vocal than those with a stocky build. A steady diet of dog food may cause blindness in your cat - it lacks taurine. An estimated 50% of today's cat owners never take their cats to a veterinarian for health care. Too, because cats tend to keep their problems to themselves, many owners think their cat is perfectly healthy when actually they may be suffering from a life-threatening disease. Therefore, cats, on an average, are much sicker than dogs by the time they are brought to your veterinarian for treatment. Never give your cat aspirin unless specifically prescribed by your veterinarian; it can be fatal. Never ever give Tylenol to a cat. And be sure to keep anti-freeze away from all animals - it's sweet and enticing, but deadly poison. Most cats adore sardines.

cat trivia

Note:I do not know the truth of some of these "facts" but I find them interesting. hope you do, too. Lauren Merryfield, editor/publisher, CATLINES http://www.catliness.com List of 11 items • It has been scientifically proven that stroking a cat can lower one's blood pressure. • In 1987, cats overtook dogs as the number one pet in America (about 50 million cats resided in 24 million homes in 1986). About 37% of American homes today have at least one cat. • If your cat snores or rolls over on his back to expose his belly, it means he trusts you. • Cats respond better to women than to men, probably due to the fact that women's voices have a higher pitch. • In an average year, cat owners in the United States spend over $2 billion on cat food. • According to a Gallup poll, most American pet owners obtain their cats by adopting strays. • When your cats rubs up against you, she is actually marking you as "hers" with her scent. If your cat pushes his face against your head, it is a sign of acceptance and affection. • Contrary to popular belief, people are not allergic to cat fur, dander, saliva, or urine - they are allergic to "sebum," a fatty substance secreted by the cat's sebaceous glands. More interesting, someone who is allergic to one cat may not be allergic to another cat. Though there isn't (yet) a way of predicting which cat is more likely to cause allergic reactions, it has been proven that male cats shed much greater amounts of allergen than females. A neutered male, however, sheds much less than a non-neutered male. • Cat bites are more likely to become infected than dog bites. • Some notable people who disliked cats: Napoleon Bonaparte, Dwight D. Eisenhower, Hitler. • Related page: A Few Famous Cat Lovers list end List of 8 items • Six-toed kittens are so common in Boston and surrounding areas of Massachusetts that experts consider it an established mutation. • The silks created by weavers in Baghdad were inspired by the beautiful and varied colors and markings of cat coats. These fabrics were called "tabby" by European traders. • Cat families usually play best in even numbers. Cats and kittens should be acquired in pairs whenever possible. • Cat litter was "invented" in 1947 when Edward Lowe asked his neighbor to try a dried, granulated clay used to sop up grease spills in factories. (In 1990, Mr. Lowe sold his business for $200 million.) • Cats lived with soldiers in trenches, where they killed mice during World War I. • The cat appears to be the only domestic animal not mentioned in the Bible. • The kitten in the logo of the Mary Tyler Moore (MTM) television production company is a parody of the famous MGM roaring lion. • Sir Isaac Newton invented the cat-flap door. --submitted by Chris C.

capturing and restraining cats

Note:This is an informational interesting article. I learned something today; hope you did too. Lauren Merryfield, editor/publisher, CATLINES: http://www.catliness.com Link to site: http://www.petplace.com/cats/capturing-and-restraining-in-cats/page1.aspx Home Page: http://www.petplace.com Capturing and Restraining in Cats - PetPlace.com Capturing and Restraining in Cats By: PetPlace Veterinarians Leashes and blankets are two ways to restrain an injured cat. Leashes and blankets are two ways to restrain an injured cat. Helping an Injured Cat Capturing a roaming injured cat can be difficult. Though injured, some can still run quite fast. Unfortunately, some cats will run away and not be found. If you notice a collar, especially if there is a tag, remember to keep this with the animal. If the collar is broken and the animal is being transported to another location, take the collar and tag so someone can contact the owner. For those cats that try to get away from you but stay nearby, here are some suggestions on how to catch them and offer care: If you have a leash, make a loop out of the leash by passing the end that would normally attach to the leash through the handle loop. Stand along side or just behind the injured animal. Loop the converted leash over his head and gently tighten. Be prepared for some struggling since most cats are not used to a leash. If you do not have a leash or the leash technique is not working, a large towel or blanket can also work. This technique also works well with cats if you are unable to use a leash. Drop the blanket or towel over the pet. Be aware of the animal’s position under the blanket so you don’t go near the mouth. Wrap the blanket around the animal and scoop him into your arms. Be aware of where the mouth and claws are. Some animals can be very determined and will bite through thick blankets. Some cats that are used to pet carriers will crawl into an empty box. After inside the box, the cat can be easily transported. Make sure the lid is securely fastened, but still allows air to flow. Cats can be difficult to restrain. Remember, cats can bite as well as scratch. Even though they are small, cats can cause significant and serious injuries. There are two popular cat restraint methods: scruffing while sitting and lying down restraint. These are typically used if there are two people involved. If you are alone, you may want to consider capturing and transporting the cat to an animal shelter or veterinary clinic. Be aware that some cats do better with minimal or no restraint. If restraint techniques are becoming difficult, stressful and making the situation worse, try talking soothingly to the cat and work without restraint. Scruffing Restraint The skin at the back of the neck is called the scruff. This is a good way to restrain cats. As kittens, the mother would use the scruff to hold the kitten to comfort or discipline. Cats seem to remember this and usually do not object to scruffing. Grasp the skin behind the neck. Hold firmly. Use your dominant hand to hold the scruff. With you other hand, hold the cat in a sitting position. Be wary of front claws. You may need to grasp the front arms with your other hand instead of holding in a sitting position. Cradle the cat in your arms while you scruff and hold the front arms. Try not to let go of the scruff. This is an important part of cat restraint. Lying on Side Restraint Grasp the skin behind the neck. Hold firmly with your dominant hand. Grab the rear legs and tail with your other hand. Gently lay the cat on her side. You may need the other person to help you get her front legs out of the way. Cats tend to use the free front legs to prevent lying on their side. Once the cat is on her side, do not let go of the scruff or the rear legs. This will allow the cat to right herself and fight back. Legal Disclaimer If your pet is showing any signs of distress or you suspect your pet is seriously ill, CONTACT YOUR VETERINARIAN immediately. All of the information presented on this website was developed by Intelligent Content Corporation staff members and is the sole responsibility of Intelligent Content Corporation. See the legal terms on the website for additional legal terms. Copyright © 1999-2006 Intelligent Content Corp., All Rights Reserved

cats

Iva wants you to see this article from The Dispatch, at http://www.gilroydispatch.com/news/contentview.asp?c=180962 The Dispatch House for Wayward Cats Friday, March 10, 2006 By Debbie Farmer ( [email protected]) I'm afraid I've noticed an alarming development. My residence, which I've always thought of as an average, two-story home at the end of a quiet cul-de-sac, is really a halfway house for wayward cats. It sure explains a lot of things, like why, for instance, when we moved in we had one cat, a few months later we had two, and now we are up to nine cats. NINE. I must admit, if anyone had ever told me that I shouldn't keep the garage door open because a pregnant stray cat might wander in and gave birth to six kittens, I would've thought they were dipping into the cheap cooking wine. However, I've come to accept that this is just the type of thing that happens to people who live in a house for wayward cats. I don't understand why this particular cat chose my garage. There are much cleaner and quieter places it could've gone, like back alleys and freeway underpasses. My friend Linda said that there's an old saying that cats choose their owners. This can only mean that 1) I must possess profound inner qualities I didn't know I had or 2) I'm now the new owner of a cat that is a really, really bad judge of character. Of course, there are other explanations, depending on whom you ask. My friend Nicole, who's a religious person, thinks there is some deep and meaningful reason it chose me. My friend Julie thinks cats instinctively pick caring, responsible people to adopt them. But my theory is that I'm the only person on the block stupid enough to keep my garage door up. It's not like I don't like cats. I do. But, frankly, my relationship with them has always been the more superficial, "here-kitty-kitty-nice-kitty-kitty" type rather than the "let-me-hold-your-paw-while-you-take-a-deep-breath-and-push" kind. Needless to say, watching the birth process was a priceless, educational experience for my children. I could tell they were in awe of it by the way they greeted the birth of each kitten by covering their eyes and shouting, "Ugh! Gross!" One thing I've learned about owning nine cats is that your life suddenly becomes much quieter because most people will avoid you. Now, don't get me wrong. At first you will be the most popular person in the neighborhood with people dropping by at all hours just to see the kittens. But after they reach adoptable age you will be lucky if someone makes polite conversation. And, on top of that, no matter who you talk to, they will always, ALWAYS find a way to work in a reason why they can't adopt a kitten. Take, for example, the last phone conversation I had with my friend Barbara, who I've known for more than 30 years. "Hi, Barb it's me." "Oh, hi. Say, did I ever tell you that I have a terrible allergy to cats?" "Well, uh, no." "Yeah, it's bad. I can't even so much as look at kitten without sneezing. In fact, I feel one coming on now. Gotta go. Bye." The other thing I've learned is that there are a lot of people out there who take cats seriously. Very seriously. Sort of like how some people take sports teams or mutual funds. And these well-meaning people will give you more advice than you ever thought possible. They will tell you need to weigh each kitten five times a day on a postage scale, feed it warm milk by hand out of a miniature bottle and various other little things that you'd never ever do, not even for your first born child. But don't let that fool you. When it comes time to give the kittens away, they too will become allergic to cats. But, between you and me, I'm not going to let that stop me. No-sir-ee. I'm not going to end up in my old age like one of those ladies who lives alone with a bazillion cats. I'm going to take control of the local feline population and show them that my house isn't a harbor for any stray cat that wanders in. And, on top of that, I'm not going to rest until I find a good home for each kitten. All of them. Well, except for maybe the fluffy orange one. And possibly the gray one with the cute pink nose. And, oh yeah, the black striped tabby. I mean, you just can't find colors like those anywhere, you know. Debbie Farmer Debbie Farmer is a humorist and a mother holding down the fort in California, and the author of Don't Put Lipstick on the Cat. You can reach her at [email protected] http://www.catliness.com

therapy cats

To view the story, go to the following url: http://www.walkermn.com/placed/index.php?story_id=216374 Cats as caregivers Flotsam and Jetsam Gail DeBoer, Staff writer The Pilot-Independent Last Updated: Tuesday, March 14th, 2006 11:28:52 AM After spending a long weekend on the couch and/or in bed fighting a wicked cold, I am happy to report that I am on the road to recovery. I never thought simply being able to breathe through both nostrils could make me this happy! My return to relative health and strength was partly due to my co-workers' insistence that I use some sick leave ("Go home! Go home!") and partly due to drugs; the over-the-counter kind. However, it was in no way due to the ministrations of my housemates, three cats. Yes, the feline population at my place has temporarily increased. Since late February, I've been cat-sitting my daughter and son-in-law's two animals, while they went on vacation. Although they returned some time ago, we haven't been able to find a mutually acceptable date to do a cat exchange. So Bolshoi and Mishka are extending their visit and, by their mere presence, are continuing to annoy the spit out of Annie-Kitty, my resident cat. None of the three was much help or comfort during my recent illness. Granted, it would have been a stretch to expect actual assistance, considering the lack of opposable thumbs to open cough syrup bottles or pop decongestant tablets out of shrink-wrapped packages. But a sympathetic attitude would have meant so much. I'm sure a dog would at least have cared if its master was sick. I bet a dog would have fetched a new box of Kleenex or been there to steady its master as he or she staggered toward the bathroom — instead of shredding said Kleenex into confetti or trying to trip the master to call attention to an empty food dish. The only real benefits the cats provided were as live heating pads, and maybe a little purr-therapy. Whenever and wherever I laid down, two out of three would arrive within minutes to settle in alongside, above, on top of me, or at my feet. That caused a few panicky moments one night when I awoke with a constricted feeling across my chest. I could hardly move and had trouble breathing. Had the cold mutated into pneumonia or a strange paralysis? It was neither. Turns out, I was being pinned down by the blanket. Bolshoi, a robust 18 pounds, was anchoring it on one side, and 10-pound Mishka was on the other. After flipping both of them onto the floor, I was freed from the ties that bound me and was able to breathe and move. The only act that could possibly be construed as sympathetic was when I woke from one of many naps to find Mishka gently licking my forehead. I'd like to think it was an act of kindness, but more likely she was harvesting salt off my sweaty brow. The whole experience called to mind a passage that I read in one of author Agatha Christie's mystery novels. Christie describes a woman sitting in a chair with a cat on her lap. After a time, she writes, the cat jumped down, because the lap had cooled. When I first read that, I remember thinking, "What does that mean, 'the lap had cooled'? Oh, of course; the woman has died!" Just like dogs, cats probably do love their people (don't call them masters) in their own special ways and for their own special reasons. But those reasons are as likely to include our 98.6-degree body heat any anything else. Gail DeBoer is a realistic cat-owner and staff writer for The Pilot-Independent. http://www.catliness.com