This post is about Miss Molly, our delightful kitty. I call her, "Kitty Girl." She knows who I mean when I sing that out each morning, "Hi, Kitty Girl!" I'l say and no matter where she is or what she is doing, she stops and looks up.
I don't know if she looks up because she thinks I'm going to give her treats (she is very fond of her treats, is Miss Molly!), or if she just hears her 'name' and wonders what I want. I do know that she is quite attentive to my kitty girl call.
This little cat - well, I'm being facetious a bit, she's not little at all! But, this little girl is quite the personality. And, she is also quite affectionate.
I can't help but wonder why so many people dare to say cats are NOT affectionate. Or, to use another word, loving. As if only dogs care about their humans. As if dogs have cornered the market on love and caring, with a true heart.
It's so not true! That cats don't show their love for their humans. That they're aloof and unfriendly. Perhaps they (she) fail to impress outsiders because they are outsiders. Cats are not, generally, like dogs when it comes to strangers in the home. Cats don't run to the door meowing at the top of their lungs. Nor do they attack the gate as if getting through it is the total means of their existence...getting through and attacking the horrid strange unfriendly other human entering THEIR home! That's so a dog thing. Isn't it?
Emily, the resident 'protector' here, is very good at it.
Molly tends to either run for cover when Emily takes it upon herself to play protector (oh, by the way, as soon as you're IN the house, and we allow you beyond the barrier, Emily becomes your best friend...just saying...), or she sits on her perch - whichever one she's chosen that day, by generally, the kitchen table which we now call Molly's Table, and grooms herself. In this way, she lets the world know she is unconcerned and unphased by the antics of the dog.
Molly's favorite human is... Tom. In the early days, when Molly first came to live with us, she was more or less relegated to living in Tom's office. This was to help her acclimate to our home, and...to save her from the dogs. At the time, Chester was still with us and he was fascinated by this new 'creature.' It's our opinion that Chester had never seen a cat, before.
Molly came from a family with dogs, so it wasn't a worry that eventually she would make friends with the dogs, it was just that we didn't want to rush it. Our Emily at the time was of the opinion that all the other pets in the house were playthings. Sort of. I did worry that she would want to play with Molly and that seemed unnecessary. Over time, I'm happy to say, Molly learned to give Emily a flick of her tail, or a swat with a paw, and Emily learned where the boundaries were. Today, they are actually good friends and get along well.
Chester is not with us any longer, so, I won't comment on his relationship with our Molly. But Olive...Olive and Molly are not quite friends. Lil Olive is a bit blind and often walks right into Molly - who, as is her cat way - does not move when she sees Olive barreling towards her. I mean, really? So, when the collision happens, well, Molly hisses and might give Olive a swat and poor Olive...she doesn't quite know what happened but she does veer off and go the other way. With Molly watching closely!
Again, the way this girl has won her way into our hearts is no different than the way other cats win their way into the hearts of their humans. Cats are, indeed, lovable, cuddly, and friendly.
This one is a gem and we are glad to have her!
Share your thoughts in the comments!
I do love your Miss Molly and her sweet range of personality! You certainly know how much I believe cats not to be a creature to be rigidly stuffed into the stereotypical box of aloof, independent, and unfriendly. I've had cats my whole life...lots of them...and each one has been delightfully unique and a wonderful companion.
Thank you for sharing a bit more on your lovely Miss Molly!
Posted by: Deb Barnes - Zee and Zoey | December 18, 2016 at 07:35 AM
Molly is beautiful and sounds like a sweetie.
Posted by: Ellen Pilch | December 17, 2016 at 09:00 PM
So incredibly sweet! I don't get why people say cats aren't affectionate. Cody is a true "people" cat...he greets everyone who enters our home. I do feel bad that Miss Molly "sets up" Olive though.....poor baby!
Posted by: Caren Gittleman | December 17, 2016 at 08:55 PM