Hate cats??? I was completely appalled. I quickly covered the page so Clyde, who was sitting on my lap at the time, wouldn’t see it. And then I buzzed over to Facebook and shared the reprehensible find with my friends. I invited them to prove that book wrong by sharing reasons why we should LOVE cats! And my friends came through.
The first answer got straight to the point:
--Trish Dietrich Jorgenson Because God made them and He doesn't make mistakes!!Amen, Trish! And apparently He endowed cats with some wonderful features...
--Abbie Kapper Tireman They are just a wonderful four legged creature! :)
--Debi Parm Things that make you go ....."ahhhhhhhh"
--Tina StClair Rice I love cats, love the way they cuddle; love to hear them purr!!!
--Donna Bayar Repsher Because listening to them purr is one of the most soothing sounds on earth.
--Sheila McLain Cats are so comforting.
--Sara Selander People who have pets are healthier. Sweet cats can be a calming influence.
--Patricia Brady Lacko Cats are cuddly and so soft
--Marie Seeger Ferland They are adorable and can have a funny side to them!
--Connie Stevens Nothing snuggles like a soft kitty.
--Kathleen Smith Because they are furry angels with whiskers when you need a friend the most!
--Sarah Schultz Ackerman They are just so cute : )
--Judy Jensen they each have their own lil personality...and entertains...and affectionate
--Virginia Rush cats have beautiful eyes
--Cherie Sweet They help you relax.
--Kathy Buchanan Hughes petting your cat helps reduce your stress level...
--Laurie Frey My dad always said the cat taught him how to relax.
--Patti Jo Moore Petting them lowers blood-pressure (REALLY!!). :)
Do you see how marvelous it is for our physical health to be owned by a cat? They can also build endorphins, which we all know is beneficial for our mental health. Read on...
--Connie Lora Troyer Our cats keep us laughing. Love hearing my husband's belly laughs over the antics of our cats and kitten.
--Ruth Smith Our two cats are cheap entertainment - much better than most TV shows!
--Michelle Davis string + kitten = instant entertainment
--Donita Corman I love how they like to hunt even when inside....they are so entertaining.
--Virginia Rush their play is so funny--love to watch the stalk
--Gidget Long Laiche My Fred use to play hide ‘n go seek I would go in a room and call him. He would put on his sneak attack and ease down the hall. When I popped out he would take off running like, your turn.
--Ruth Smith One of mine plays fetch like a dog
--Mary Lou Kwiatkowski they are inquisitive!
--Linda Cheshire They are playful but ready to nap when you like to!
--Diane Lance Clay They can nap all day long!!!
--Susan French They give more then they take.
There are lots of friends who echoed Susan’s sentiment!
--Maggie Benage Myers Affectionate and never criticize.
--Kristin Van Dam Patient and forgiving...especially compared to people!
--Pat Hines They are so loving!!
--Wendy Kirby They will love you no matter what :) and stick by ya
--Debi Parm unconditional love. They forgive and forget really fast-esp. if you come bearing a treat!
--Diana Stoltz you spay/neuter them and they still love you!
--Amanda Baca No animal is more affectionate than a cat
--Kathy Geary Anderson sandpaper kisses
--Abbie Kapper Tireman They seem to know when you have a bad day and need some extra cuddles.
--Connie Lora Troyer We had one growing up that knew when I was upset and would reassuringly try to comfort me - whether I was sobbing into her fur or not.
--Angela Palermo-Galarza My cat is always the first one to reach my children why they let out a cry. A lick on the nose always follows.
--Sara Selander When you have a cat you always have someone to talk to - and my kitty meows back. Sometimes it's as though she knows exactly what I'm saying.
--Connie Stevens A cat's meow can sound like music to a soul who is weary from the day.
(Kim note: Sam "sings" bass; Clyde "sings" soprano, the poor little guy.)
--Cathy Daniel My cat greets me at the door quicker than the dog :)
--Zijlia Kitschoff They will cuddle with you. They sense when we are down and when we are happy.
--Connie Stevens Kitty whiskers tickle when a kitty gives a kiss.
--Tami Brett unconditional love...
--Pauline Crawford They listen to you vent and love you anyway...
--Becca Harding they provide tons of company
--Don Phillips Mine follows me around the house, I love my Suzie Sprinkles, she likes to go outside and stalk bugs! LoL
--Abbie Kapper Tireman They can be happy to be in the room with you without being on you or in your face. My husband is gone for a few days yet I don't feel alone because there is always a cat close by.
My Facebook friends also shared evidence of the following statements:
--Debbie Logan They are extremely intelligent and have personalities all their own!
--Tracy Myers Bartlett They are very intelligent.
Look at all the things cats do for their humans, starting first things in the morning...
--Laurie Frey Alarm clocks that don’t need to be set
--Anastasia-Stasia Crowley My kitty waits until the alarm goes off in the morning then starts pestering me to make sure I get up.
--Lin Collette I don't need an alarm clock with my two cats. They know exactly what time I need to get up to feed them.
--Abbie Kapper Tireman Can give a pretty good kneading and when done with purring it’s quite relaxing.
--Connie VanderZwaag Kiers they keep down the mouse population
--Flo Mims They are affectionate and take care of the mouse problem.
--Abbie Kapper Tireman Can catch mice (if they chose to).
--Cathy Daniel They kill icky insects, bugs and unwelcome rodents
--Kim Vogel Sawyer They are wonderful cricket and spider hunters!
--Abbie Kapper Tireman Don't forget fly hunters!
--Allison Pittman They kill the bugs so all you have to do is put a mixing bowl over the corpse until hubby gets home.
--Sara Darnell They will always share your tuna fish sandwich (or cheese) with you.
--Kathleen L. Maher purring heating pads when you don't feel well.
--Rosanna Huffman They help keep rabbits out of the garden.
--Miriam Richardson They make great hot water bottles.
...And continuing far in to the night!
--Connie Stevens My kitty keeps my feet warm at night.
--Catherine Tyson DaCosta I LOVE turning over in bed and finding Zara sleeping at my feet.
--Angela Palermo-Galarza My cat sleeps on my head every night! I do not mind it one bit!
(Kim note: My cat Sam does this, too, but I have to say I do mind a bit...)
--Ann Stenbak Cole I love my cat - like when she cuddles with me at night by laying her head on my arm. They are also patient when your foot - in the midst of tossing and turning - smacks them or you throw blankets on them...so forgiving and understanding.
According to several Facebook reports, cats are quite unselfish, as well. Take note...
--Donita Corman Oh and my neighbor cat leaves us presents of dead mice..keeps them out of my house
--Amy Conner Campbell can be a great back massager.
--Connie Stevens I love the way my kitty touches my face with her paw to get my attention.
--Susan French What other pet will climb a Christmas tree and scare the life out of you?
--Teresa Collett They are my "early alert system" - they let me know when someone is coming up the walk to the front door!
--Susan French Drop an egg on the floor and they immediately volunteer to help you clean up the mess
--Pauline Crawford ...my cat waits for me while I'm showering, to make sure I don't drown for sure, lol.... But seriously, he checks up on me periodically.
--Connie Lora Troyer Knowing that my cat needs cat food will actually send me to the grocery store. I would ignore that need if it were just for us humans.
But despite all cats do for us, they expect little in return...
--Sarah Rychart Cats have good self esteem. They are also low maintenance.
--Connie VanderZwaag Kiers you don't need to give them baths
--Kelly Long They are resilent enough to survive being run through the dishwasher (and I can sign an affidavit if need be).
--Karen Shaffer Grimes You can go away for a couple of days, leaving them plenty of food and water, and they are fine! Although one of our cats would get mad at us for leaving him, and would be stand-offish for a while. This is also the cat who would "meow" at me whenever I would sneeze--like he was saying "bless you." He was so sweet.
--Jenny McLeod Carlisle They display such an independent spirit.
--Anastasia-Stasia Crowley I can leave for 2 or 3 days and as long as she has a clean litter box & plenty of fresh water & food she is just fine; although she is VERY happy to see me when I come home.
--Susan French They will lay on a window sill and watch the world go by without a care in the world.
--Fonda Wooster They are not always wanting something and you can eat in front of them and they don't beg. They are sweet and lovable.
--Abbie Kapper Tireman Don't need walked
--Angie Adair they keep themselves clean
--Cecilia Martin Easy to potty train
See? There really are lots of reasons to fall in love with a cat! And I absolute adore the following reasons to keep a cat in the house:
--Tina Rowbotham Hufnagel They keep great secrets for kids who are in need of a pal.
--Connie Stevens Something my kitty taught me: She gets in between me and my computer, wanting my undivided attention. This reminded me that sometimes I let other things distract me from giving God my undivided attention. Interesting how God can use something as simple as a kitty wanting a backrub to remind me to shut out the worldly preoccupations and simply pay attention to Him.
So, in conclusion, let me share a final reason to love cats:
--WaterBrook Multnomah Fiction Cats go purr-fectly with bookstores and libraries.
And since writers also go purr-fectly with bookstores and libraries, I suppose it isn’t surprising that in all of my 51 years of life, I have NEVER been without a cat for a pet. Cats have enriched my life! I am so grateful that when God was creating animals to inhabit the earth, He took the time to fashion the long-tailed, four-legged, pointy-eared, whisker-faced, inquisitive/funny/furry creature known as the cat.
God bless you muchly as you journey with Him! ~Kim
P.S. -- Clyde suggested that Poppet Hatcher assist Robin in compiling a list of reasons to love dogs, 'cause we like Poppet a whole bunch.
--Cathy Daniel My cat greets me at the door quicker than the dog :)
--Zijlia Kitschoff They will cuddle with you. They sense when we are down and when we are happy.
--Connie Stevens Kitty whiskers tickle when a kitty gives a kiss.
--Tami Brett unconditional love...
--Pauline Crawford They listen to you vent and love you anyway...
--Becca Harding they provide tons of company
--Don Phillips Mine follows me around the house, I love my Suzie Sprinkles, she likes to go outside and stalk bugs! LoL
--Abbie Kapper Tireman They can be happy to be in the room with you without being on you or in your face. My husband is gone for a few days yet I don't feel alone because there is always a cat close by.
--Debbie Logan They are extremely intelligent and have personalities all their own!
--Tracy Myers Bartlett They are very intelligent.
Look at all the things cats do for their humans, starting first things in the morning...
--Laurie Frey Alarm clocks that don’t need to be set
--Anastasia-Stasia Crowley My kitty waits until the alarm goes off in the morning then starts pestering me to make sure I get up.
--Lin Collette I don't need an alarm clock with my two cats. They know exactly what time I need to get up to feed them.
--Abbie Kapper Tireman Can give a pretty good kneading and when done with purring it’s quite relaxing.
--Connie VanderZwaag Kiers they keep down the mouse population
--Flo Mims They are affectionate and take care of the mouse problem.
--Abbie Kapper Tireman Can catch mice (if they chose to).
--Cathy Daniel They kill icky insects, bugs and unwelcome rodents
--Kim Vogel Sawyer They are wonderful cricket and spider hunters!
--Abbie Kapper Tireman Don't forget fly hunters!
--Allison Pittman They kill the bugs so all you have to do is put a mixing bowl over the corpse until hubby gets home.
--Sara Darnell They will always share your tuna fish sandwich (or cheese) with you.
--Kathleen L. Maher purring heating pads when you don't feel well.
--Rosanna Huffman They help keep rabbits out of the garden.
--Miriam Richardson They make great hot water bottles.
...And continuing far in to the night!
--Connie Stevens My kitty keeps my feet warm at night.--Catherine Tyson DaCosta I LOVE turning over in bed and finding Zara sleeping at my feet.
--Angela Palermo-Galarza My cat sleeps on my head every night! I do not mind it one bit!
(Kim note: My cat Sam does this, too, but I have to say I do mind a bit...)
--Ann Stenbak Cole I love my cat - like when she cuddles with me at night by laying her head on my arm. They are also patient when your foot - in the midst of tossing and turning - smacks them or you throw blankets on them...so forgiving and understanding.
According to several Facebook reports, cats are quite unselfish, as well. Take note...
--Donita Corman Oh and my neighbor cat leaves us presents of dead mice..keeps them out of my house
--Amy Conner Campbell can be a great back massager.
--Connie Stevens I love the way my kitty touches my face with her paw to get my attention.
--Susan French What other pet will climb a Christmas tree and scare the life out of you?
--Teresa Collett They are my "early alert system" - they let me know when someone is coming up the walk to the front door!
--Susan French Drop an egg on the floor and they immediately volunteer to help you clean up the mess
--Pauline Crawford ...my cat waits for me while I'm showering, to make sure I don't drown for sure, lol.... But seriously, he checks up on me periodically.
--Connie Lora Troyer Knowing that my cat needs cat food will actually send me to the grocery store. I would ignore that need if it were just for us humans.
But despite all cats do for us, they expect little in return...--Sarah Rychart Cats have good self esteem. They are also low maintenance.
--Connie VanderZwaag Kiers you don't need to give them baths
--Kelly Long They are resilent enough to survive being run through the dishwasher (and I can sign an affidavit if need be).
--Karen Shaffer Grimes You can go away for a couple of days, leaving them plenty of food and water, and they are fine! Although one of our cats would get mad at us for leaving him, and would be stand-offish for a while. This is also the cat who would "meow" at me whenever I would sneeze--like he was saying "bless you." He was so sweet.
--Jenny McLeod Carlisle They display such an independent spirit.
--Anastasia-Stasia Crowley I can leave for 2 or 3 days and as long as she has a clean litter box & plenty of fresh water & food she is just fine; although she is VERY happy to see me when I come home.
--Susan French They will lay on a window sill and watch the world go by without a care in the world.
--Fonda Wooster They are not always wanting something and you can eat in front of them and they don't beg. They are sweet and lovable.
--Abbie Kapper Tireman Don't need walked
--Angie Adair they keep themselves clean
--Cecilia Martin Easy to potty train
See? There really are lots of reasons to fall in love with a cat! And I absolute adore the following reasons to keep a cat in the house:
--Tina Rowbotham Hufnagel They keep great secrets for kids who are in need of a pal.
--Connie Stevens Something my kitty taught me: She gets in between me and my computer, wanting my undivided attention. This reminded me that sometimes I let other things distract me from giving God my undivided attention. Interesting how God can use something as simple as a kitty wanting a backrub to remind me to shut out the worldly preoccupations and simply pay attention to Him.
So, in conclusion, let me share a final reason to love cats:
--WaterBrook Multnomah Fiction Cats go purr-fectly with bookstores and libraries.
And since writers also go purr-fectly with bookstores and libraries, I suppose it isn’t surprising that in all of my 51 years of life, I have NEVER been without a cat for a pet. Cats have enriched my life! I am so grateful that when God was creating animals to inhabit the earth, He took the time to fashion the long-tailed, four-legged, pointy-eared, whisker-faced, inquisitive/funny/furry creature known as the cat.
God bless you muchly as you journey with Him! ~Kim
P.S. -- Clyde suggested that Poppet Hatcher assist Robin in compiling a list of reasons to love dogs, 'cause we like Poppet a whole bunch.
Oh dear, this is not a popular blog for my dog this morning. He's looking sulky. However I can't resist adding to the list.
ReplyDeleteCats can drink out of the toilet without falling in -- unlike the dog who falls in every time. :-)
Cats maintain order in the house by daily issuing orders to the household staff. Such an efficient way to keep things running smoothly.
LOL Kav, please assure your dog I love doggies, too. Had the title been "reasons to hate dogs," I would have rallied in support of canines everywhere. In fact, I hope my beloved Izzy-B (kitty) and Meinie (Dachsund) are sharing a sunny spot in heaven together, they were always such good buds on earth. I miss them both terribly.
ReplyDeleteGoodness gracious! I wish I'd seen your Facebook post so that I could have joined in.
ReplyDeleteThe cat who owns me (no person ever owns a cat, right?) is not terribly affectionate and her rare purrs are so soft they can't be heard. But when Pinky is in the mood to lay on my chest while I'm trying to watch TV, she is always welcome. The poor dear spent the first year of her life just trying to survive the assaults on her by my dog, which Pinky now outweighs and can usually outsmart, so I cut her lots of slack.
I got Pinky as part of my recovery from breast cancer (thus the name). I love her to pieces. No more and no less than I love Poppet. Both of them cause plenty of laughter in our home, and we all know that laughter is the best medicine.
PS Poppet says to tell Clyde that she will get right on it.
ReplyDeleteRobin, Clyde felt quite certain Poppet would be up to the task. And we'd like to offer our first reason to love dogs--they have waggy tails that are very fun to bat at!
ReplyDeleteAww, I missed your FB post too. Just finished playing our ritual game with Myles (10 next week), which starts with him yowling from the open log stairway and ends with him diving under me while I kneel on the floor so I can thump on his bottowm and sides. Why this gives him such a thrill, I will never know, but he made up the game a few years ago and will nag me to play it over and over and over, just like a little kid.
ReplyDeleteSo, I will add--"Cats are goofy and soooo lovable!"
Jill
Oh Jill, I can imagine that game! LOL Thanks for sharing. :o)
ReplyDeleteIf you're looking to help cats, Angie Hunt has recently released a book titled: Snapping Shelter Cats--Using Your Camera to Help Shelter Animals Find Loving Homes. Not sure, but there may be a dog or two in there--however, cats are the featured animal. :)
ReplyDeleteAnd this may only be available on Kindle, but you can check it out over on Amazon.
Sweet Pea has read and approved your blog post, Kim. She gave it two paws up.
ReplyDeleteOHHHH, I forgot about the sandpaper kisses, I used to love that when I was a kid...those were the best.....great article Kim, could be a book and you could write off of each No. Love it....
ReplyDeleteImmy and Zara were so funny this morning. It was the first time that we've gotten to play with each of them and their "meowses" in a while. We start with Immy and her orange meowse. We have to get her locked into our bedroom without Zara because Zara is more playful and Immy doesn't get to play if she's around. We just toss is around the room as we get ready in the mornings and Immy leaps over the bed, under the dresser, all over the room. Plenty of laughs! When Immy stopped playing (after about 10 minutes), I pulled out Zara's blue meowse and let Zara in (Immy sulked her way out of the room), and did the same thing. At one point, I tossed it over the bed and Zara, who was right by the bed, jumped and went head-first into the side of the mattress! She decided since that didn't work, she would run around the bed to get to it!
ReplyDeleteAs for all the prayers you ladies have been shooting my way, I have not heard yet from Metro Nashville Schools about if they're going to recommend me for employment. However, I did hear today from Clarksville City and they are going to recommend me. If I don't hear from Metro by probably Monday, it sounds like I will be working in Clarksville City Schools :-)
Absolutely PURR-fect post today, Kim! I cannot imagine life without my cats--especially since I'm no longer teaching school. I agree with all of these reasons to love a cat (and I feel certain my kitties know they are LOVED!). Hugs, Patti Jo ("Mom" to: Moses, Levi, Delilah, Sweetums, Patches, and Precious)
ReplyDeletep.s. Meant to add that all these photos you posted are so cute--especially like the last one of you holding Maizie! :) PJ
ReplyDeleteConnie, so glad we met with Sweet Pea's approval.
ReplyDeleteVirginia, as I'm typing this, Frances is delivering sandpaper kisses to my elbow. LOL!
Patti Jo, thank you for contributing to the list. Hugs to your feline friends.
People who don't like cats usually need mental help of some kind. And I'm not just joking. Unfortunately me and Zoe experienced it.
ReplyDeleteNo matter how many times Zoe drives me nuts knocking CD's off my bookshelf, I still love her to pieces. Even when she forgets where I am and waits for me to come out of a place I left two hours ago. She can't help it. She's a calico.
Judy, thanks so much for the info!
ReplyDeleteCatherine, it is clear you have a pair of very lucky kitties. :o)
Rachel, ornery or not, cats are totally lovable.