Okay, cat-lovers, please don’t get mad. I’m a dog-person. I love them; I adore them. And, they seem to feel the same way about me.
Now, don’t get me wrong; I also love cats. I love all animals. But I seem to understand dogs and relate to them. Cats? Not so much.
I’ve been feeding a stray cat over the past few months. I’ve named him or her “Liberty.” Why? What else does a libertarian name just about anything? Plus, he or she is free and seems to like it that way.
So, Liberty, who was at one time skinny and mean-looking, is now getting plump and healthy…and is still mean-looking.
What I can’t figure out is why he or she doesn’t seem to like me. Now, don’t get me wrong. I don’t feed Liberty for applause, but a dog would be like, “man, you ROCK! Thank you so much for the delicious meals, pillow, dry towels, ‘dog-nip’ and the toys you put out here for me. Would you like to be my human? Huh? Would ya’?”
Liberty eats and then walks away without a glance (on several occasions, however, first stopping off to indulge in some catnip. She seems to get really buzzed from that stuff, yet has thus far not ordered a Pepperoni Pizza and watched reruns of The Twilight Zone).
The other day, as he or she was leaving after what appeared to be a delicious meal, I muttered something under my breath about being unappreciative.
I’m not sure, but I think it gave me the finger!
Earlier in our “would-be-human” and “refuse-to-be-anyone’s-pet” relationship, I tried to trap it. The woman at our local humane society suggested I do that so we could get it spayed/neutered and checked for any diseases Liberty might have. She even told me how to set the trap and loaned me one of those cages.
Unfortunately, Liberty was sort of like the Roadrunner and I most resembled Wile E. Coyote. Couldn’t catch it; kept outsmarting me. Plus, I just didn’t have the heart to trap the poor thing. After all, its name is “Liberty.” How do you trap something named Liberty!?
Depending on what happens, I might post some more about this really strange cat. Just don’t let him or her know; he or she is kind of private and not into publicity.
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Oh Bob…I LOVED this on numerous levels. I was always a cat person until I opened up my home and thus my heart to dogs. I still have a cat, but like Liberty…it’s a fairly one sided relationship. I laughed out loud picturing you behind a rock with your ACME box just off to the side. I’m sure in time, Liberty will come to know you as the generous Go-Giver you are and in turn warm up to you.
Hugs,
Gina
Did you know that naming a child is central to a child’s earliest sense of identity, so too with your new so called, friend the cat. According to Wikipedia, “Liberty” is a concept of political philosophy and identifies the condition in which an individual has the right to act according to his or her own will. It seems your new friend, Cat (Liberty) is taken her name very seriously. Maybe change her name to “YOU LOVE ME” and see what happens. Enjoy your cat adventure.
Hi Bob,
Dogs are like little children. Always happy to see you and to play with you. Cats are like teenagers. They decide when they decide.
Your story reminds me of a rabbit that kept coming into my back yard. I would sit in my back yard and watch it from a distance. I bought rabbit food for it and the rabbit food would disappear but not in front of me. He/she ate it in private.
After about a YEAR that rabbit started hopping toward me! Scared me! I thought, “Oh! What if it bites me?” It came close. I bent over and patted it. It didn’t bite!
After three MORE weeks, my granddaughters were feeding it! And I could pick it up and hold it and pet it. It was a magical time.
I think animals teach us some things that we need to learn at times. How to enjoy the dogs, who just love us! How to live with the cats, who wait to be our friends, teaching us patience. How to live with the rabbits, who MIGHT become our friends, and teach us something magical. OH! And the hummingbirds! If they ever fly close to you and look you in the eye, you learn the patience of Job, just hoping that it happens again!
Pamela
Bob,
Kudos to you for feeding Liberty! You’re right, cats are totally different and difficult to figure out at times. Even though Liberty doesn’t openly express gratitude she/he is appreciative for all you do. As for trapping, I’ve become an expert due to a budding feral cat colony in our neighborhood. 1 = 4 = 12….you get the picture. Patience is needed along with a large can of tuna to bait the trap (smile). Liberty will be a bit miffed from having her rights taken away for a short time but in the long run it’s worth it. Promise I won’t tell! Joyce
Love it. I am a dog person, however my hubby is a cat person, so we have his and hers. Now after two years, we simply cannot tell which acts like the cat and which the dog. We think they have teamed up to show us the real bosses of this place. Thank you and Liberty for a great story that lifted my spirits 🙂
This cracked me up on so many levels – not least among them the idea of YOU complaining about anyone or anything being unappreciative! No wonder Liberty gave you the finger – just one way of saying “you’re being inauthentic dude and I’m not buying it.”
To Liberty the fact that you are actually blessed with his/her presence and that he/she has demonstrated enough trust in you to accept your offering IS appreciation. It isn’t that cats are superior beings it is just that they understand and accept their superiority whereas humans and dogs tend to spend entire lifetimes either defending or apologizing for the areas in which they are superior.
Liberty is applying the 5 laws quite beautifully – you pay for food and catniip, you GET not only a healthier cat but also entertainment and the opportunity to entertain all of us thereby meeting law 2 as well – both impact AND reach. Of course he/she is putting your interests first – I mean do you really WANT a pet cat or a cat that you have petted and therefore must place in a loving home? No – you might THINK that is what you should do but I doubt it is in YOUR best interest. And authentic – cats don’t even consider faking it. They might play games but that IS authentic for them. And of course Liberty is open to receiving, duh! Your only REAL concern is that Liberty might decide to take Law 1 even further and bless you with MORE opportunities for entertainment in the form of little liberties.
Take whatever liberties with that you wish 🙂
Bob, this may very well be THE most revealing insight into who you are, as anything you’ve ever shared with me. And I gotta say … I’m loving the insight.
Plus, now I know that you like pepperoni pizza and Twilight Zone reruns when you are buzzed ..LOL
Keep showing us who you are Bob. It really resonates!!
p.s… dogs rule!!
Great post, Bob. I talked it over with Bud the Beagle, and he said that a cat will never act like a dog, although he’s also heard rumors that there are some who go over to the dark side.
I love Lolly’s suggestion–it’s hilarious!
By the way, I’m looking forward to seeing the twitpic of Liberty giving you the finger : )
Loved the story about Liberty. I think it makes for a very good analogy on why some people who think they are using social media to connect with their customers feel as you do with Liberty. Liberty (customers) may have come around once but never asked to be fed and yet you chose (out of the kindness of your heart) to feed it (read – sending out useful information via social media). We feed and feed and see our customers getting healthier and happier and yet we may really never get a response from them. Why? Maybe they are thanking us but we just don’t understand their language. The fact that Liberty keeps hanging around (especially for a cat) means that it is thankful and wants you to continue feeding it. Same with our customers. Once the food (messages) become boring, repetitive and useless they will go away. For now, Liberty is very thankful and finds you very useful. We just need to make sure that we change up the Meow Mix from time to time. 🙂
I am astounded, taken aback and totally blown away by all of your amazing responses, suggestions, humor and interpretations. And, especially, by your wisdom. Thank you, so much.
Totally enjoyed all the comments. While I have a suggestion for Kim, please know how much I appreciated ALL of your comments.
Kim, you could easily make your interpretation an article (in and of itself) in the monthly magazine you publish; I don’t mean that you need to print my article, but your lessons regarding how you brilliantly related it to the sales and marketing process. I think you summed it up perfectly. And, yes, “changing up the Meow Mix” is key. Hmm, can I use your article as a future follow-up blog post? If so, please email me at bob@burg.com and let me know how to credit you and the URL you’d like used.
Great Post Bob, what everyone said is fantastic. I love cats too, we’ve always had one in our house. I love dogs too but cats are a bit more mysteriously independent than dogs. Its as if they are trying to out think us! The way they play “hard to get” reminds me of some of my early relationships. Sometimes they run and hide, sometimes they hiss, and sometimes they even took a swat at me. But when they show affection and start to purr … victory is mine! But victory is short lived unless you keep them interested. But of all the things I like about cats; its their focus that I like best. I also like to tease my cat with the lazer pointer too … Glad I never tried this with the ladies, lol. FYI: We have 1 cat, 4 dogs and a slew of other pets. I wanna get some chickens … can anyone share some chicken stories with me?
Thank you Bob for the escape from the moment!
Joe
A fellow dog person here – and loved your cat story, Bob!
In fact… my youngest daughter still reads out loud to us each night and tonight she read the story of Liberty the Cat (with one line about Liberty’s naughty catitude crossed out. hehee)
I captured a bit on my flip – will share with you some time. She did a great job except has a habit we’re trying to help her break of hitting big words like “libertarian”, saying “whatever” and moving right along 🙂 She reeeeally enjoyed playing out the dog’s “huh? woud ya?”
And who knew the lessons that would be pulled from this – what a savvy group of followers you have. I enjoyed the comments as much as your fabulous blog! Thanks to all.
Bob – once again you have me grinning from ear to ear. What a great story!
Cats are just plain different from dogs. Cats are from Venus and Dogs are from Mars – oops, wrong analogy:)
It sounds to me like dear Liberty has you right where he/she wants you to be…begging him/her to love and respect you – and be thankful.
You’re barking up the wrong tree my friend. Just as some humans are completely self sufficient and have little need for those around them – so are cats all about themselves. They are the ultimate “It” beings.
IMHO cats are the most confident of all animal spirits. They KNOW that they are above all others. Unquestionably. They never wonder if they’re OK, look for approval or double check their thoughts or feelings with another cat. They are a self-contained being, empowered to rule their domain at ALL times.
I can’t help but wonder what it would feel like to have that kind of self- confidence. Me, I’m a dog, was even born in the year of the dog. Woof – do you love me????
Thanks for the giggle my dear friend! And keep feeding Liberty. Deep down, she really does know you’re helping her out. She just figures she deserves it!
reb
PS I have to ask – haven’t you LOOKED to see if Liberty is a he or she? Its not that hard to tell ya know. You were obviously not raised on a farm like yours truly:)
Hi Dixie, what a great look at the Laws from the eyes of Liberty. And, of course, as the saying goes, “with Liberty comes responsibility.” Oh oh, I’m cracking myself up.
Deborah. Thank you, my friend. But, for the record, I don’t get buzzed; at least not the way you are implying. Haven’t since my much, much younger days. On the other hand, perhaps (perhaps) I might be referring to something that may or may not have been a ritual 30 years ago when I was in college. However, IF so, then please know that I definitely did not inhale. heh hehheh heh…
Rebel, thank you. And, yes, I’ve tried to look but he/she doesn’t allow one to get close enough to determine anyting.
Too funny, Joe. I’m definitely a dog person even though I can’t think of any kind of animal I don’t also love. Dogs, however, just because they are just such loving creatures, and so loyal they would fight to their death to protect their loved ones. Not that we’d want that to happen, but they would do it in a hearbeat. Don’t get me wrong, cats are great, and even somewhat loyal in their own way. But, it is definitely *their* own way. Which, is probably what some people enjoy the most about them. As much as I respect independence, there’s just something about a dog. I could begin to get really philosophical here because of the amazing dogs I grew up with, but I don’t think I will. 🙂 Meanwhile, it’s great knowing that Liberty’s life is a little easier. And, if he/she and I eventually get to be buds, that’ll be cool, too.
Hey, Dr. Mollie, thank you. WOW, very cool that your daughter read the story (too cute about the “whatever.” LOL) Would love to see the video of that!
Oh, just realized about the naughty line. Sorry about that!
Yes, I agree; the lessons that those who commented brought forth were terrific. I enjoyed their comments a lot more than I enjoyed my article! 🙂
Thanks again!!
Like I said via Twitter, this article was hilarious. This is a new side to you Bob, and it rocks. I’m not a cat person either, although I grew up with many of them in my estranged grand parents house back in the Philippines. They came in and out as they please, and it was a huge family of them. Another story in itself.
Mainly I’m a dog person, coz’ I’m now allergic to cats.
Next time, would love to see pictures of this comical character and the dynamic duo, whom I would like to call The Adventures of Bob & Liberty.
Does this mean the next book is gonna be called “Go-Cat Lovers Serve More” (The Reason Why Cat Lovers Serve More – coz’ as a cat owner they really do serve more.) ~ Cat lovers, please don’t take this seriously. I don’t want any hate e-mails ;)p.
Being a CAT and a DOG person (love them both for their individuality and gifts) I can totally relate to this experience.
Here is the thing though, a dog will react that way no matter who provides the love and food. The cat however, is selectively authentic. She seeks a deeper connection, it is her birthright in her opinion.
One thing you will know when she decides to show any type of affection it is authentic and sincere and totally for you.
Our first experience with a stray cat “Lucky” it took her a long time to even get close….be careful though, she now lays on my lap every chance she gets and she has opened our hearts to other cats too.
It doesn’t matter if it is a cat or a dog, they offer truly valuable insights and gifts to us.
Bob; Quite awhile ago we had a Sand Hill Crane hanging around. It had gotten some fishing line tangled around one of it’s feet. After several attempts to catch it I went to a vet and he gave me a aprescription for valium. My neighbor and I put a part of one pill in some feed; the bird ate it; got groggy and we caught it. The fellow from Bush Hospital up in Jupiter took it home. He later brought it back; it had lost one of it’s toes and flew with that leg slightly lower than the other but it was out and about. (My neighbor named it big foot). Moral; the same thing might work with Liberty with some help from a vet.
My neighbor has caught and had fixed half a dozen feral cats; she was somehow able to tame them enough to be able to cage them and take them to a vet. 4 of them are still around.
Jim White
I love your site. Thx for sharing your thoughts.
Pretty neat post. I just found your blog and wished to point out that I have genuinely enjoyed checking your blog posts. In fact I’m going to be opt-in for your information aggregator and I hope you write again soon!
Sooo Can Appreciate that… Love it… Thanks for Sharing Bob…