I Have Total Respect For My Cat Because He Always Respects Me (LOL)

March 28 is Respect Your Cat Day

Mar 28, 2023

orange and white tabby cat sitting on brown wooden table in kitchen room — Photo by Paul Hanaoka on Unsplash

It's really the cat's house — we just pay the mortgage. ~Author unknown

If you’re familiar with cats, then you’re probably aware they aren’t like dogs.

Dogs regularly demonstrate loyalty to their owners in ways cats typically don’t. Felines often appear aloof and detached. When I was raising a family, we had a shepherd-collie mixed pup named Lady. Her allegiance to the household members was apparent in everything she did (and didn’t do.)

When left at home alone, she always greeted us upon our return with a wagging tail and lots of wet kisses.

She never took food from an easily accessible plate but would look longingly and whine softly, waiting patiently for a sample.

When the children attempted to ride her, played in her food dish, or annoyed her in some other way, Lady never got mean. She tolerated them and their childish antics. For the record, the children were taught kindness toward all animals, and this only happened a couple of times when they were quite small.

There are exceptions to every rule, of course, but most dogs know who’s in charge, and they respect that.

Cats, on the other hand, do not.

I rescued a neighborhood cat, one of the thousands who are abandoned by selfish, irresponsible owners. He is my second rescue and an all-black fellow who resembles a small panther; therefore, I sometimes refer to him as the resident House Panther. Initially named Cocoa, his moniker evolved into Cocoa Bean and then just Bean. Or, Mr. Bean, as I like to call him. He established his position early on and adjusted quite well to life indoors. I mean, what’s not to like?

He was neutered, eliminating that pesky sex drive that causes male cats to continually fight and suffer injuries.
He enjoys a comfortable home - warm in winter and cool in summer.
He has a steady diet of healthy pet food and clean water.
He no longer has parasite issues.
He receives regular medical care.
He has toys to entertain him.
He’ll never fall victim to a predator, an automobile, or an evil human who dislikes cats.
He has a cozy perch by a window and is entertained by an assortment of birds, squirrels, and chipmunks.

I’m sure he misses some aspects of the outside world, but due to the dangers it presents, he’ll remain indoors, safe and as healthy as I can keep him.

My House Panther knows that he is loved, and I know that he loves me…but always on his terms.

He’ll greet me at the door IF he’s not napping. He’ll jump onto a counter and help himself to whatever food is available IF it’s something he likes. And no child will ever get a chance to ride him because they’d never get close enough. He’s too smart and too fast. When my grandson is visiting, Mr. Bean knows to keep a good distance and mostly hides until the coast is clear.

Sometimes I’ll stop to pet him, and he’ll swipe at me. Not exactly biting the hand that feeds you, but close enough. Other times he happily welcomes the stroking of his shiny, black fur.

When I watch TV in the evening, I’ll call him over to sit with me, but he’ll just perch like a gargoyle on the other chair. He watches (amused?) as I pat my lap but then hops down and wanders off. Later, though, he reappears and joins me for some pettings.

When I head off to bed, I always invite him to come along, but he seldom does. So, then I remind him to be a good boy and not get into trouble (he’s been known to hang from the chandelier over the dining table and get into things he shouldn’t.) I heard him meowing one night after being inadvertently closed up in a kitchen cupboard. However, when it suits him, I’ll discover his warm body next to my hip when I wake up.

Black cat hiding in cupboard with pots & pans. — Mr. Bean was held captive in the cupboard.

Much has been written about the nature of cats. Stereotypes certainly exist, but one research study1 shows that cats have five personality types:

The Human Cat - Happy to share your home, your life, and often your personal space.
The Hunter Cat - The most feral of the personalities, regularly interacting with realistic cat toys and showing signs of an expert hunter.
The Cat’s Cat - Willing to play with and groom its furry siblings, touching noses and rubbing up against each other.
The Cantankerous Cat - More easily frustrated than his four counterparts and can be less tolerant of being handled due to being sensitive to touch, their environment, and being on high alert.
The Inquisitive Cat - A keen investigator, sniffing around anything and anyone unfamiliar.

More information about these various types is available here.

I believe Mr. Bean is a delightful combination of 1, 4, and 5. I acquired him around the age of one and only know his history for the six months prior to that (and it wasn’t great.) Regarding his first six months, I have no clue.

I believe the comparison between dogs and cats (the top two favorites when it comes to choosing a pet) exacerbates the stereotypes. The Nature vs. Nurture concept comes into play for animal behavior, just as it does for humans. Certain breeds are prone to particular characteristics, but how they’re treated and socialized when young goes a long way to determining their temperaments later on.

Because cats are natural-born hunters, they survive more easily outdoors than do canines. They can jump, climb, and move through small areas, which allows them to elude potential predators. That doesn’t mean they have good lives outside; quite the contrary. But they usually fare better than dogs who are abandoned by their owners.

Despite the resident Mr. Bean having his share of ‘cattitude,’ I do respect his unique, albeit somewhat distant demeanor. He’s not needy and gives me space to tend to those in my life who are. He relies on me for the basics and offers, in return, a friendship that is easy and (for the most part) peaceful.

Black cat; resident House Panther — The Resident House Panther

I respect independent people who aren’t afraid to speak their truth, exuding confidence and self-assuredness. They are proud non-conformists, choosing to follow their own noses. Just like cats!

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I Have Total Respect For My Cat Because He Always Respects Me (LOL)

March 28 is Respect Your Cat Day

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