Today is official Respect Your Cat Day….purrrrrrrrrr…….I love anything that has the word respect and my name, or my species, name in the same sentence. I deserve a lot of respect. I am an amazing and noble creature capable of bringing joy to everyone or killing a disgusting rodent with my bare claws or doing both at the same time (i.e. bringing you the spoils of my kill). Just getting to look at me brings pleasure to those around me and because of social media, I even have people in Egypt who follow me on Instagram! Of course they do! But for those lucky enough to get to pet me or hold me, I bring immense comfort and joy.
While I am one of the most amazing and beautiful cats who ever lived, all cats deserve your respect. Our vision and hearing far surpass that of all meager humans. Did you ever wonder why we can go outside at night or in your hallway at night and hunt and quickly kill mice, large bugs, spiders? In addition to our keen senses, we are agile athletes capable of amazingly fast precision movement.
We cats are extremely tolerant of you humans. For the most part, we like you guys….for the most part. I do enjoy engaging the staff of the Drake Center for some lively morning hugs and carpet rides. However, after 11 am, please do not pet me without asking first. Some of you could use some lessons in respect. Im ok with an occasional picture or video but I think you should ask my permission if you are going to post a video of scaring me with a bananna or some other potentially scary item. No one likes to see themselves acting silly on Youtube. Have some respect. You don’t see me video taping you when you wake up in the middle of the night and scream at the dead mouse on bathroom floor!
Out of respect for my other house cat buddies, I suggest that all humans familiarize themselves with ways of enriching our environment. I realize that I need to stay indoors to avoid coyote attacks and cars but I really appreciate how the staff of the Drake Center are able to provide me with lots of enrichment to simulate my actual hunting prowess. I need these activities to be healthy.
Finally, a thank you to all of you humans who do place us cats in the highest regard. We are amazing and we thank you for placing us in our rightful place above you in the lineage of amazing mammals. Respect.