NOVEMBER 10, 2023
VOLUME 48
THE OLD ORANGE CAT
From the time I was a small boy child growing up in Oklahoma, I was constantly watching, and learning about life. I’m not sure if all kids do this, but I was very curious about most everything. One of the things I have noticed, is that the lives of humans and domestic animals are very similar. Especially in the area of behavior. The absence of teaching and discipline have exactly the same outcomes. Untrained and undisciplined animals are as you would expect, unruly and dangerous. Pretty much the same applies to humans.
I have owned a lot of cats in my life. Actually, that’s untrue. I have acquired numerous cats as kittens and allowed them to share my home while they grew up and became adult cats. I couldn’t actually say I ever owned a cat; I don’t think anyone owns cats. Cats can be very affectionate, or they can be extremely aloof. Usually, the latter. They can be very benign creatures or very destructive. I laugh when people tell me their cat is lost. I tell ’em, nope, your cat just decided to move and didn’t tell you. Cats are probably on average the most disloyal creatures you will ever encounter. If they were people they would turn you in to the authorities if it meant they got a bigger house to live in. Do I hate cats? Nope I love cats. I love ’em for what and who they are. If they had a middle finger, you would likely see it displayed often. That’s why I love ’em. They are very much capable of living on their own, they don’t need humans to feed them, they’re great hunters. They just hang with you, ’cause it’s easier. But they don’t really need you. If cats could talk, they would tell you that.
So, back to my point about behavior parallels. I have lived in my home for about 18 years. Quite a few years ago, a beaten-up old orange cat appeared in our neighborhood. Don’t have any idea if it’s male or female, so I’ll assume it’s male. He walks with a slight limp, his ears are bent, looks like he’s been in a few fights. He’s a loner, doesn’t appear to be part of anyone’s family. He has long scruffy orange hair. He is one of those cats with a flat face and looks like he’s frowning all the time. He will not come anywhere near you.
We have the traditional single older “cat lady” in our neighborhood that has four cats in her house and leaves her garage open slightly so the neighborhood cats can come in out of the cold and heat for drinks and snacks. So, she has named this old orange cat “Mango”. She says he hisses at her if she approaches him, but he’s happy to take her food, and she even has a little place for him to rest. Over the past several months, he has started spending the nights in our outdoor chairs on our front porch. She asked me not to hurt him, which I found sort of funny since I am not known for mistreating animals, in fact just the opposite.
The bottom line is that his old orange cat walked into our neighborhood from who knows where, established a place to eat, and sleep with the local single lady, if he chooses. He has set up an alternate place of rest on my front porch. Has an attitude that keeps people and dogs at a distance. (has no fear of dogs) I can probably name at least a half dozen human beings that have parallel behaviors. I’m sure you can as well.
VERITAS VINCIT ~ LIVE FREE OR DIE
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