[Quantumcat (OP)]

Why does it give so much pleasure to stroke a cat? All it does is give pleasure to the cat, so why do we do it? Why does it make us feel so happy? The question was raised when I realised I secretly hated Hélène's cat because it hates being patted and only wants to play...

Am I dead? Am I alive? I'm both!

[neilep]

oh Cats.....I absolutely love cats......though they do have omnipotent tendencies, as they appear to receive without giving, (unlike dogs etc), but, there's something about the feline which is special, almost spiritual, sleek in nature and refined in form, they are a wonder to behold. Yep, me loves cats. Once you get to know your cat you realise they DO give soooo much. Stroking them can be an art though. Many prefer different types of tactile caresses, under the chin, around the ears, behind the neck, the way they arch their back as you stroke them from head to tail. The purr that is therapeutic to the ear, and healing to the body, the gentle 'meow' incorporating a 'purr' is such a delight and displays their special nature. Yep, me loves cats.....when they bring you pressies, like mice and birds and frogs and whales (joking about the whales !!) and they leave the happily half eaten remains on your doorstep you know you have been blessed with a happy gift from a best friend !!,the way they thoughtfully and sympatheticially crap and wee in next doors garden is a joy and wonder  showing compassion and love, the way they sharpen their claws on your best furniture displays their ease with your company......OK OK !!..their may be a little tongue in cheek going on here but cats almost have a 'spirtual' air about them, they are mysterious and have many secrets....it's a pleasure to stroke them, it feels good if nothing else, but they're like a humming healing bag of catty joy !! I love my cat, have i mentioned that ?...Patting a cat is a different thing, try gently patting it in the middle of the back down to the base of the tail, you should be rewarded with squinty eyes and claws that grip....but you have to be gentle....and when they 'make dough' it's so cute, y'know, when they raise their paws up an down on your tummy or bed, it's a throwback from when they were kittens to encourage mummy to give them milk...it's soooooooo cute. Don't hate cats, love cats. Get to know cats.....and if a cat wants to play, then play !!!...it's soooo funny and is like a personal safari study, as you witness their hunting techniques. Enjoy cats...

'Men are the same as women...just inside out !'

[bezoar]

Most men can't stand cats.  Only the ones with very secure egos, I find, like them.

[neilep]

Thanks Nancy, ....I'm happy with myself and my ego is happy too....and I love cats, don't know if I mentioned it at all []

'Men are the same as women...just inside out !'

[bezoar]

Really?  I couldn't tell.

[Quantumcat (OP)]

I adore cats too. You should publish that as a book called 'Ode to Cats' Neil! Lol! I still want to know why though.

Am I dead? Am I alive? I'm both!

[neilep]

Well, Erin...I asked my cat, and he took me into his delicate confidence and said 'Meow'......so,no help there then ![]
Some people hate cats of course (Not me though...I think I've mentioned it !![])..........it's all down to personal likes and dislikes.......It gives me pleasure to stroke my cat cos I love his purr (his purr gives me pleasure), he loves it and that makes me happy, I love the way he reacts to being stroked, the way he curls up, stretches out, makes mewing sounds, it is a pleasureable experience. But, to be honest I don't know why.......I suppose it begs the question why does anyone actually like/love/hate anything  at all ?[?]

'Men are the same as women...just inside out !'

[tweener]

I love cats too.  I have two that pretty much control the house.  They have long hair, and if I could find a market for cat-hair sweaters, I'd be rich.

I find that stroking the cat and giving it pleasure gives me pleasure.  Maybe it's just an altruistic thing to give pleasure to a creature that is obviously so superior to us mere mortals. (And if you don't think a cat is superior to humans, just ask one sometime).

----
John - The Eternal Pessimist.

[chris]

I love cats...to kick.

"I never forget a face, but in your case I'll make an exception"
 - Groucho Marx

[neilep]

My cat has a smug grin on it's face Chris !!! if you find  cat prints in your butter tomorrow, you'll know my cat has paid a visit to your fridge !!

...and John.....my cat has me well trained too !!

'Men are the same as women...just inside out !'

[roberth]

My dogs love cats, too!

[Quantumcat (OP)]

KILL CHRIS !!!!!

... AND ROBERTH!!!!

But really I know there is something behind cats. They recommend old people to have cats or little dogs, it like makes them healthier or something, ?

Am I dead? Am I alive? I'm both!

[neilep]

Yeah..YAH BOO SUCKS !! to meanypoos Chris and Roberth........it's well known that cats and other animals (not rabid dogs or lions and tigers :-) ) are therapeutic for old people to stroke and have as company, there's just something about them that heals (should you believe in a soul that is !!....I don't !)...but you know what I mean...

'Men are the same as women...just inside out !'

[Donnah]

So, Chris and Roberth, what kind of cats are you two coming back as in your next lifetime? *glaring*[!]

[roberth]

I'm coming back as Cleopatra's cat, or was I already?

These cute furry little animals are uncontrollable killing machines that decimate local fauna just for fun. They're fine sitting purring in your lap for the hour or so a day when they are with you. The rest of the time, unlike proper pets, they roam the local area searching for something smaller than themselves to kill. Not for food, but to hone their inbuilt hunting and killing instinct. Unless they are kept in cages, which even I concede would be a bit cruel, they should be banned, killed on sight or sent back to their ancestors in Africa. The Chinese had the right idea. They make an excellant source of protein. They can be used to make hats, slippers, gloves or even get a full litter and make a coat.
NOW, you can ostracise me for my opinion, my comment the other day was pretty inane. So send your cats around to my place...I'm cold...and hungry.

[neilep]

Roberth....you love them really !!!....you're just a closet cat lover !!!! *big cheeky grin*

'Men are the same as women...just inside out !'

[Quantumcat (OP)]

Okay, so cats kill animals. But don't tigers and seals and every other carnivore? You can't go around killing everything that kills to live ... like us. There should be a system though where you have to pay to keep your cat undesexed, an amount that is more than the cost of getting them desexed, so that only breeders and people that are serious about that sort of thing breed cats ... then there wouldn't be nearly so many stray cats, and they wouldn't be such a menace to wildlife. What do you guys think of that? Cats are also responsible for the near-disparition too of the cute and cuddly bandicoot (at least I think that's what it's called) so you know I'm not just ignoring the fact that cats do kill.

Am I dead? Am I alive? I'm both!

[MissMontana]

I'm sure that cats are good company and I can understand your love for them Neil but answer me this, why do they insist on crapping in my garden so that when I mow the lawn it flys everywhere?

[neilep]

......Nothing like cat manure to put a smile on a happy daffodil[]....Cats have a genuine concern for other peoples gardens. Their excretal contribution is one of love and generosity[].....glad you approve T G [][][]...plus ,I'm sure you know the phrase 'when the sh*t hits the fan'...well that indicates bad luck etc....but when the blade of your mower hits the cat poo....well.....you're in  good luck, to spread the muck !!!! []

Sorry

'Men are the same as women...just inside out !'

[Quantumcat (OP)]

If you don't like cats in your garden, buy cat repellant from the local hardware store.

Am I dead? Am I alive? I'm both!