I found this really neat article online the other day, and it got me to thinking about Wabby Wibby and how she likes to talk to me. Cat lovers will understand. Cats respond to our voices in a whole different way than dogs do. It's almost as if they really are carrying on a conversation. In my heart of hearts, Iknow it's true - Wabby does understand every word I say.
The article I found was over on the Boston Globe's site, at Miss Conduct's Blog. Miss Conduct is Robin Abrahams, and she wrote, "Pet sounds and human machines" all about how we talk to our pets. In the article, she notes that her dog, Milo (a Basenji), isn't much of a singer, although the breed is known for singing. Instead, she says, "Cats seem to get the concept of turn-talking. I used to have long conversations with my cat ("And how was your day?" "Mrow." "Really? Mine too. I thought we might get a video and hang out on the couch tonight, how does that sound?" "Mrow." "Would you prefer a mystery or 
a comedy?" "Mrow." "Ah, a classic! Good idea. Bette Davis or Joan Crawford?" "Mrow."). "
Just like the conversations I have with Wabby, except, for the most part, Wabby chortles. She doesn't meow. Well, she meows more now than when she was younger. I don't know what that means, but it still counts. Our conversations are more like this, WABBY: "Isn't it dinnertime?" ME: "It's only 2 o'clock. That's not dinnertime." WABBY, "I want to eat early today." ME, "You don't need to eat early today." WABBY, "You fed me at 2:30 yesterday." ME, "That's because I was trying to nap and you were annoying!" WABBY, "I am not annoying...I just want a treat or a snack or something. Why is that so hard to understand?"
You get the drift. I was pretty sure other cats talk to their pet people, also... so I went to YouTube and found this great video of two cats talking...with a little narration from a human... Enjoy.
http://northshorejournal.org/LinkedImages/Photos/Cats/cats4tee-names.jpg
Posted by: Chuck Simmins | July 16, 2008 at 05:06 PM