| If you're a cat lover, listen up, as this special | | | | there was such respect and admiration for the |
| insight into cat behavior may surprise you.Do you | | | | cat, that the penalty for anyone killing a cat, was |
| seek your cat's affection quite lovingly? Well, let's | | | | death.During this period, a Roman soldier |
| face it, there are two big questions that have | | | | accidentally killed a cat and was nearly lynched by |
| been asked by cat lovers, and others alike. And | | | | a crowd who witnessed this event. This became |
| these are:1. Are cats really capable of bonding | | | | a political conflict, and is thought to be one of the |
| with us?2. What can we do, as desperate cat | | | | events that led to the war between Egypt and |
| lovers, to encourage more affection from our | | | | Rome!So, the humble cat has caused all this! An |
| beloved cats?In other words, can cats be | | | | animal causing people to be irrational over |
| encouraged to relate to us in an affectionate | | | | them.But, does the cat reciprocate our |
| way, and to share mutual companionship, just like | | | | feelings?One example that could help us with this |
| their dogs can?Well, let's have a look at what | | | | question is from Jeffrey Masson, who wrote The |
| could be possible answers to these two | | | | Nine Emotional Lives of Cats. Among his many |
| deep-rooted questions that have been bugging cat | | | | examples of bonding is where he discovers that |
| lovers, and dog lovers alike, for decades!And you'll | | | | his cats will put up with getting soaked, just to be |
| get some untold hints on how to better bond with | | | | with him:"Like most cats, mine do not like rain. Yet |
| your cat in the meantime!Well need to firstly look | | | | when Leila, Ilan, Manu and I walk up the hill in the |
| at the very nature of a cat's very essence, their | | | | evening in the rain, such is the cats' devotion that |
| souls if you will, to give us some clues to answer | | | | they come with us... it is beyond question that the |
| this question on cat behavior.When you have an | | | | cats are doing something because they want to... |
| animal that's been with humans for over 5000 | | | | Moreover, since they walk in the rain only when |
| years, there must be something profound that | | | | we are there, never alone, the love of our |
| the humans, as well as the cats, are getting out | | | | companionship must be a strong component of |
| of this relationship. Something that's keeping them | | | | their pleasure..."It gets even better. The strength |
| together for so long, and no doubt for eons to | | | | of our bond actually increases depending on the |
| come!Imagine, in say the year 3000, we may | | | | extent that our cat's range of behavior and |
| have technology to travel through space in | | | | emotional responses matches our emotional |
| luxurious aircraft, and of course, one of the first | | | | needs. Some people who really love attention |
| things that people will want to bring with them is | | | | from their cat, and want the full gamut of |
| their favorite book, favorite music, and... their | | | | personality, do find heaven, and so does the cat, |
| cat!But why is this so? There must be a level of | | | | when they have for example, a Siamese cat that |
| bonding between cats and humans that is beyond | | | | is able to show a strong desire to lie on their laps |
| that of many other animals, that make us feel so | | | | for comfort every night, run around like crazy |
| attached to them, want to share our life | | | | when they play with, and is also slightly neurotic |
| experiences with them... because our feelings tell | | | | and anxious when there is too much happening...So |
| us that these feelings goes both ways.But is this | | | | there's some food for thought for you! You know |
| really the case? Do cats use us for food and | | | | have an insight into the secret workings behind |
| warmth mainly? Or is there a level of feeling | | | | cat behavior, how both humans and cats really |
| behind the cat behavior that's on a higher level | | | | feel about each other, and how cat behavior may |
| than that, and resembles the feelings that we | | | | be linked to their deeper feelings about us, more |
| have for them?These are valid questions. Let's | | | | than we ever thought so before.Watch out for |
| first have a look at our human emotional | | | | part 2 of this article, which will be coming |
| responses to our cats.Our obsession with cats - | | | | soon.What to do nowIn part 2 of this article, you'll |
| yes let's admit it!When humans first met cats, it | | | | learn specific techniques, but for right now, all I |
| was presumed to be at a camp fire. This is not | | | | want you to do is to be aware of your emotion |
| proven, though it is a strong possibility.Why a | | | | when you're about to communicate with your |
| camp fire?Well cats love warmth and probably | | | | cat.When you want to convey a message to |
| couldn't resist sitting around a man-made camp | | | | your cat, such as "There you are, I'm glad to see |
| fire. So they sat, appreciating the warmth, and | | | | you!", be very aware that you're communicating |
| also may have found they don't have to hunt for. | | | | with each other on a deep level of emotion. And |
| And then the humans were attracted to their | | | | when you're aware, your emotional message will |
| cuteness. More likely, it was their kittens that may | | | | come through in your tone of voice and body |
| have clinched this bond. As when interacted, they | | | | actions, and the bonding starts...And once the |
| would have shown cute playfulness, and when | | | | bonding starts, you can't stop it, it just gets |
| nursed, would snuggle up.Now the question is | | | | better!So begin the process right now. You will be |
| whether a cat can have snuggling up and | | | | surprised before the next lesson how much your |
| playfulness without the emotions of tenderness | | | | relationship will improve with just this first step.So |
| and enjoyment?We'll come back to this in a | | | | go ahead, and practice this on your cat |
| moment. Let's take one more example from | | | | now.Cassandra Mandello helps you to go from cat |
| history.It was documented 5000 years ago that | | | | novice, to bonding with and training your cat, |
| cats were domesticated into both Egyptian culture | | | | quickly and easily. To get more "must have" tips |
| as well as Indian culture at roughly the same time. | | | | and hints on how to bond and train your cat, go |
| In fact, for period of over 2000 years in Egypt, | | | | now to this site on understanding cat behavior. |