A Proud Cat Lady Confesses

I grew up a cat girl. 

I don’t remember NOT having a cat roam around my house. Cats birthed kittens and my family often kept one or two of the offspring. Our cats ran free outside, never confined indoors. Black was the most prevalent color, Midnight an example of an appropriate name for one of our longest-living felines.

Mom always owned cats, at least within my memory. Her last pair was a brother and sister, until they died of old age a couple of years ago. In her late 90s, Mom finally decided her cat days were over.

The king of our household for years was my son’s cat Toast. Visitors were barely tolerated. Toast became the defensive wild cat when he believed a stranger, animal or human, threatened his domain.

A couple of dogs fleetingly passed through my life, and I occasionally look after two granddogs. My Vermont family also possesses, in addition to a dog, two cats, Ruth and Sonia (named by my granddaughter after Supreme Court justices.)

Although an almost-lifetime cat caretaker, no cat enhances my home nowadays. Hub does not want an animal underfoot that he could trip over. Also, we are away often. It is unfair to fauna friends to confine them at home without human companionship, or pay oodles of money to imprison them in a cage in a kennel.

I am proud of my cat heritage. Cats have a mind of their own and let anyone within their zone of existence know it. They are territorial and known to protect their area with a vengeance if provoked. But they can be amusing, comforting, playful, and a buddy that does not question one’s ideas, motives, actions, or life choices. They are nearby, yet independent.

My childless cat days ended in my 20s. My teenage granddaughter is a childless cat owner and hopefully will remain that way for several years. 

Maybe we – the female members of my clan  – are “weird cat ladies”. But I don’t consider that an insult. The term, used by men often chummier with 19th-century ideas of womanhood than 21st-century peoplehood, is an expression of honor. 

I have much in common with cats.

Cats…

• sleep a lot. So do I.
• when young are spirited. I was energetic when young; not so much today.
• enjoy socializing with friendly people. Me too. Sometimes.
• are often affectionate and gentle. I display those qualities too. On occasion.
• are inquisitive, smart, curious. I exhibit these same characteristics, although maybe not always.
• are outgoing and spontaneous. When not too tired, I am too.
• are carnivores. I also eat creatures – mainly poultry and fish.
• display autonomy and curiosity. A good description of me when not lazy. Cats are lazy too!
• Cats nap. Just like me.

However…cats, wild or domesticated, hunt for prey. An activity I never participated in. My cat once dignified my front door with a dead bird. She was so proud! I ungraciously disposed of the prize. But a lot of humans feel proud when they kill prey too. 

Childless or not, I confess to being a cat lady. A mature, proud cat lady. Currently catless, but the mindset lives on.