Leave my dog alone! Wap! Wap! Wap!

[sl8]

[wnylib]

1. Cats are much more protective

than most people realize. Once a cat decides that a person or animal is part of the cat's family, that cat will quickly jump to the defence.

I had read about cats being like that, but was amazed when I saw it happen in person. For all their aloofness and independence, cats are, at heart, very loyal to those that they form bonds with.

[lark]

2. They can also sense sickness and give empathy.

My old calico cat Zoey never liked our sons' cat Mimi that lived with us for about 4 years. During that time, I don't think Zoey and Mimi had any bonding moments - Mimi was always the interloper in Zoeys' eyes. Then Mimi got sick, the day I noticed Mimi was having trouble eating, Zoey went up to her and was smelling her and being nice for a change. The next day the vet advised she had advanced terminal cancer that had eaten lots of her jaw already and was spreading fast. Zoey was so sweet to Mimi when she got home. She spent the next 3 days cuddling with Mimi, even when Mimi was on my lap, which was most of the time. When our old dog was sick and dying, same thing, but he was her BFF so not as surprising.

[wnylib]

3. When my ex husband and I separated,

I got a black kitten that I named Merlin. I took Merlin with me to another city where I took some classes for a year, then transferred to a college back in the old city. Lived with my ex husband for a couple weeks until I could find a local job and apartment.

Merlin was just under 1 year old by this time. He was curled up on the floor, napping as far as I knew. I was seated in an upholstered chair. My ex and I had slipped back into the habit of arguing over everything again. I am 5 feet tall. He was 6 feet tall. He walked toward me with his finger pointing at me the way people do when emphasizing a point. His voice was raised in anger.

Like lightning, Merlin leaped onto my lap, faced off the ex with his back arched, hair on end, and one paw stretched out with the claws visible. It was the first time I heard Merlin hiss and he sounded vicious.

The ex was astonished (so was I). He said, "Damned perverted cat," and stormed out the door. Once he was gone, Merlin grabbed a dirty sock that the ex had left on the floor and gave it several hard shakes before spitting it out.

It was a loud argument, but not a physical one. Apparently, Merlin decided that my ex's height, loud voice, and hand pointed in my direction were threatening.

[lark]

4. Wow, I've never known a cat to be that protective.

Dogs are a different story. Finely, our Aussie Shepherd, HATES physicality of any type. He will tolerate our hugs but if they go on for too long, he tries to get between us and starts barking. We can't play the "touch you last" game, Finley thinks we're hitting and doesn't like it. Since I'm 7" shorter than my husband and 80 lbs lighter, he "protects" me from J. He jumps on Jay and pushes him backwards, barking sternly, then runs to stand in front of me, guarding me. When we're sick, he will lay next to us for long periods. This is such a sweet protective breed.

[wnylib]

5. I had a border collie that was like that.

I had never seen a cat act so protective before that experience, but I had read an article about a cat who protected a family's dog. That was back before the Internet and you tube.

Today there are several accounts online about cats defending people, dogs, etc. About 1 or 2 years ago, there was a well publicized case of a family's cat protecting their toddler from an attack by a neighbor's dog. Probably still on you tube. Awesome the way the cat leaps through the air and body slams the dog.

There are online videos of cats chasing bears away from people's homes, and even one where a cat swats a crocodile (or alligator - can't tell them apart) on the snout repeatedly until it slinks back in the water, away from a nearby family.