Cats In the Cradle Means a Man In the House

As a young child, the cats in my house were a couple of pet rabbits. That was simply the best I was going to do. A dog was clearly out and my mother was allergic to cats (which all moms say when their kids pine for a pet). But my senior year in high school had my mom unable to say no to a precocious little cat named Tiffany. Here, I began to receive my education on the merits of a cat's meowing.

For the most part, guys defer on cats, and I wouldn’t say I don’t trust those who fail to see their intrinsic value. On the other hand, I extend males that admire felines much more latitude for the understanding of human nature and the world.

What I love most about cats is an attitude that says, “I certainly appreciate the warm body you give me to snuggle up against and the four walls to thrive in, but if I had to do this all on my own, I clearly could. So don’t you get too comfortable – even if my disconnected style of love and appreciation is the best you’re going to get out of me.”

Cats Take the Upper Hand

A person who signs up for such an uneven relationship, not only comprehends a trust known as tolerance, but has the ability to seek out depth rather than settling for what is apparent on the surface. So when your cat looks up from its perpetual snooze upon your calls and is too busy to even let loose a purr, she’s letting you know there are much more important things to accomplish. In turn, the message should be clear: your constant need for love and affection is not among them.

What gall these creatures exhibit as we helplessly make them our pets. But smart people appreciate that your cat understands human nature better than you and teaches an important lesson about living in the moment. Unfortunately, we often miss the message - even if our bellies are full, the electricity is on and the bill collectors are at bay.

At the same time, this contented soul is exemplifying a trust and love that seeks an equal partnership. Otherwise, she would snap to attention in subservience, and as much as men lament not being able to find a lapdog as a life companion, that truly would be hell for any real man worth his saline.

Cats Can Suck it Up Too

However, cats are still not above sucking it up on an empty stomach and making you think you’re all that. Suddenly, they’re on your leg, wagging their tale and purring like a tribble to seduce your human weaknesses. What duplicity – yeah, they understand us just fine and what it takes to navigate among the self indulgent sentient.

So why not give with the take? Yielding as they crawl up on you, the warmth generates a symbiosis in both your bellies that cannot be beat.

In turn, taking your time just to observe cats in their contentedness says something about you, too. You have the ability to appreciate the subtleties in life, which lets me conclude with Marlon Brando in the Godfather.

In the opening scene, the Hollywood giant fought the filmmakers to have the all-powerful and all-knowing patriarch faithfully stroking a complacent cat, who doesn’t even bother to cats meow. Without a word of dialogue, you understand Don Corleane is doggedly present and deliberates on all the crucial questions of power, security and family, while never acting in haste…

What do you think Sonny’s animal of choice was – certainly not cats and we know that didn’t end well.

Rich Monetti can be reached at [email protected]