The Honesty of a Cat’s Purr

Special to FreeRepublic ^ | 14 December 2007 | John Armor (Congressman Billybob)

[Congressman Billybob]

We have two cats: Weasel, a grey female calico, and Orion, a male orange and white tabby. Orion is a big, lump of a cat, twenty pounds if he’s an ounce. He’s taught me a lesson for years that I finally realized today. He teaches by example.

Orion showed up at the door four years ago in the fall. He was obviously a house cat, not a feral or wild one. He had no collar. We brought him water and food. He wanted to come inside, but we didn’t let him. He was obviously someone else’s cat; we shouldn’t prevent him from going home.

Winter came. The wind chill dropped to its mean minus ten at night. Orion had apparently gone home. Then one morning in the snow, I saw little cat prints from the barn up to our door and back. We started putting out food and water, and changing the water every time it froze.

We kept watch. We saw the orange boy, much thinner, and with a cut on his cheek, from a fight with another creature. Eventually, we got Orion inside.

For more than a year, he was frightened of me, but not of females in the household. He would skitter and run when anyone attempted to hold him or pick him up. In time, we found he had a knot on one of his ribs where it had been broken, and healed badly.

So, we knew his story. He was abused where he used to live. He was kicked, probably frequently by a grown male in the house, and suffered a broken rib. We showed him nothing but kindness from then to now.

How has this sweet creature responded? He obviously has deep affection for his folks. He sleeps with us, usually on the far side of Michelle, nearest to the window. Especially on cold winter mornings, he wants to be first in line for the warming sun of dawn to wash over him, and warm his fur.

He no longer fears being touched or held. Quite the contrary, he will curl up within touching distance of one of his humans. And, when you scratch him under the chin, he will often respond by rolling over on his back, catch your hand with his paw, and encourage you to rub his belly.

Mind you, please don’t tell this to the President of the Cats’ Union. Orion will be drummed out of the Union if word about this leaks out.

The most telling thing that Orion does is a deep, rumbling purr whenever he is generally satisfied, which is most of the time. It is such a loud purr that, unlike most cats, when he is in full fettle his purr can be heard from way across the room.

It took years for Orion to reach that point of being at home and comfortable, so he will curl up close to his humans, invite rubs and scratches, and purr to beat the band. He was doing that this morning while I was reflecting on the political debates that I have watched (that have been inflicted on me recently).

I follow politics closely. As I listen to national politicians speak, I can spot about one bald-faced lie every 30 seconds. Yes, I’m being charitable. There is exactly one of the candidates for President whom I think is telling the truth all of the time. And that makes him all the more frightening, that he actually believes what he is saying. No, I won’t name him. And thanks be to Heaven he will never be elected to any nationwide office.

But this morning as I watched one more spectacular sunrise over the Blue Ridge Mountains, and over Michelle’s shoulder, and over the ears of an orange, purring cat, I thought of the difference between Orion and all those politicians. Orion is honest at all times and in all ways. And every aspect of my relationship with him is based on trust.

Can you say that of any politician you know? I can’t. So, I suggest this standard to use when you are listening to, or reading, any speech by a politician: Is this as honest as a cat’s purr? The answer to that first question will be no. So, you can follow up with mille-cats. Rating a politician at 400 mille-cat means he/she is 40% as honest as a cat.

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About the Author: John Armor practiced in the US Supreme Court for 33 years. John_Armor@aya.yale.edu He lives in the 11th District of North Carolina.

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[moonpie57]

Your cat is almost a twin of my baby girl, Poppy.

[-=SoylentSquirrel=-]

Anabelle Satan, barn cat.

Fearless hunter of geckos and naked toes that stick out over the bed at night.

She does not love, but sometimes allows others to love HER.

Likes to be picked up ONLY WITHIN 90 SECONDS OF GETTING HOME. After that, you are just the feeding guy to her.

Oddly, she goes limp and begins to purr if you grab her scruff and force her to lay on her side, kinda like that thing where if you turn a shark upside down they go into a coma-like state.

Oh, and she loves the smell of gun cleaner.

[ßuddaßudd]

I love my cat.

[getmeouttaPalmBeachCounty_FL]

I had a cat like that once. :)

[flaglady47]

I have a whore black cat. She spends at least two-thirds of her life on her back, purring like a teakettle when patted on the head. Now, too many politicians are just whores, and don’t purr when scratched. So what good are they, I ask you?

[samanella]

Proud loving owner of five kitties, four of which were rescues: Elvis the King, Boo, Sweet Pea, Petunia and Punkin. My rescues have always been “better” cats...more loving, smarter. They know you have saved their lives and they give back hundred-fold. I now work with a rescue group through a big pet store chain, who are wonderful. I love dogs, too, but they are too high maintenance. I guess in my old age, neighbors snicker and say “there goes that crazy cat lady.”

[ßuddaßudd]

Maybe you should consider another cat. Or drink more...

[4catsinmaryland]

You are living my dream of having a farm with lots of “dumped” cats. I have enough love but not enough room. I own six and drive several miles each day to feed 3 ferrals that live close to my Mom’s nursing home. I am truly “that crazy cat lady”.

[4catsinmaryland]

I have six but my ginger Rudy is the coolest cat that ever lived. I swear he thinks he’s a dog. He’s a love machine that loves to cuddle. There will never be another one like him.

[dragonblustar]

Your kitty Emma looks so sweet!
I hope she has a purrrrfect Christmas!

[getmeouttaPalmBeachCounty_FL]

Thank you; she is. Whenever one of my children cries, Emma appears out of nowhere to rub and love against them. She is also the most trusting cat I’ve ever seen. She spends a lot of her wakeful time lying in the middle of the floor (in a room where the people are) on her back. When the kiddos were toddlers and preschoolers, I was always so afraid that one day Emma would be crushed, but luckily that never happened.

I found her in a pet store. Her owners couldn’t bear to take her to a shelter, so they dropped her off at a store. They were moving and couldn’t take her. The store clerk said that she was told the cat had papers, but the movers had packed them. We aren’t sure what she is. Some have said Birman, some say Ragdoll. I just don’t want to ever imagine life without her. She’s one in a million!

[Tenniel2]

These anniversaries are rough, especially the first one. The ache never goes away completely but over time it changes, and makes a kind of permanent home in your heart for your little guy. Just wanted to say you’re not alone, and thank you for giving him a long and loved life.

[Scotsman will be Free]

It is nice having room, facilities, etc to take care of some of the poor critters that get dumped. I never go to the dog pound because I would want to bring all of the dogs and cats home.