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On some Saturday evenings, Puzzles is busy warming up our guest’s jacket. She’d love to read a good book, if only her eyes would quit swirling around long enough to find one!
When it’s raining heavily outside, what else is there to do other than flatten out the cushions on the sofa tops?
Puzzles and Oliver are up on sunny days being entertained by the birds at their feeder.
Rascal is the third wheel. Good thing she has Goofy¹ to keep her company!
¹I’m goofy.
Puzzles is my curious cat.
She lives up to her name of being puzzled many times.
Spend the time browsing online what there is to read about the subject of cats, specifically using search terms like, “Cats are not pack animals.” Then, think upon what’s said about Asperger’s Syndrome.¹
It’s interesting to see how much cats are loved and are so popular, but yet Aspergers is not. The more you read about cats not being pack animals, the more difficult it seems to not notice the correlation between cats being like Aspies and dogs being like neurotypicals.
In the article Understanding Your Cat’s Social Nature and Behavior by Perfect Paws, the author sums up the real reason why NTs find Aspies confusing. Even though nothing about Aspergers exists in the writing, when every mention of cats is replaced with Aspergers instead, quite a different perspective is given than what psychologists give about Aspies! (I’ve bracketed the replacements and abridged some thoughts. For those who don’t know, NTs are neurotypicals.)
If you’re not up to reading the whole article by Perfect Paws, then here’s the key ingredient from it:
Social animals [NTs] have a difficult time understanding and accepting a different social structure. When we [NTs] automatically think something is wrong with the cat [the Aspie], we are superimposing on the cat [the Aspie] our [NTs] standards for “happiness.”
Even though the article The Social Nature of Cats from Best Friends Pet Care is another insightful source to use for explaining the social nature of Aspies, caution needs to be exercised when reading, “Cats [Aspies] are somewhat selfish creatures.” Just because a creature [a cat and/or Aspie] is not a ‘pack’ animal by nature, doesn’t like to be pressured to comply with or obey the will of others, and prefers to rule his own life, is no reason to label it as selfish. Equally as much as a person might perceive a cat as being selfish, the cat can think the same about that person. The next statement is accurate:
It may, then, seem somewhat difficult to train a cat [Aspie] and, in fact, most cats [Aspies] will only respond to training if what you are trying to get them to do is appealing to them.
It’s funny how the good quality about not being a pack animal is referred to as peculiar:
There is something peculiar about their behavior: they will go to great lengths to avoid confrontation with other cats [Aspies don't like to fight if they can avoid it]. There is no need among cats [Aspies] to establish dominance because, as already mentioned, they are not pack animals and therefore do not need to fight to set up a hierarchy. Most cats [Aspies] prefer to avoid each other [especially NTs!] in an effort to avoid any possible reason for confrontation. The only time they will fight will be to protect their territory, but not any further. And even when this happens, it is mostly only a spectacle of threats rather than an actual physical fight.
Enough said from Best Friends Pet Care. Here’s a piece from Marshall in Askville:
Unlike dogs [NTs], cats [Aspies] are not “pack” animals whose greatest desire is to befriend or please one another or humans. Cats [Aspies], by nature, are “independent”, and their interactions with each other or humans is simply based upon the nature of their individual personalities–just as human interactions are. Some cats [Aspies] are very friendly and welcoming to other cats and/or humans, and others are not (feeling that the attention may be taken away from THEM or some such)–just as some humans are people-oriented and others are loners by nature, or some are friendly and others are mean.
You just were very “lucky” with your first cats! MY current two cats are SISTERS, and tolerate each other (occasionally even cuddling together)–but I wouldn’t call them “bosom buddies”. They also are both bonded strictly to ME, and won’t let other humans near them.
Just LOVE your cats [Aspies] for whatever personalities they possess, just as you would [NTs or] your own children!
Since the last reference I’m about to use from Messy Beast comes from two long pages — Are Dogs More Faithful than Cats? — Are Cats Really Unsociable? — the interesting tidbits I’m plucking out will be harder to detect:
Cats [Aspies] do not have a sense of their rank in a pack and do not consider that it is your birthright to bully them into faithfulness. A mistreated cat [Aspie] will leave if it can. A mistreated dog [a NT] will often come back for more because it learns that its place in the human pack is the pariah position. Unlike dogs, cats have no vested interest in staying in a pack.
The biggest difference is that dogs [NTs] are obedient (faithful) to their pack-leader by nature, but a cat’s [Apie's] faithfulness must be earned and can’t be bullied into it. Once you have taken time to earn [an Aspie's or] your cat’s affection and devotion, you will find it just as faithful, or more so, than a dog [a NT].
Mostly it seems that the ‘experts’ are judging feline [Aspie] sociability by comparing them to dogs [NTs]. Cats [Aspies] are frequently labelled “standoffish”, “solitary”, “asocial” or “unsociable” suggesting that they just don’t like company. This supposed aloofness appeals to some people, but not to others. Feline [Aspie] “aloofness” can create or contribute to anti-cat [anti-Aspie] feeling.
With all this said, one last thought needs mentioning. Aspies are no where near as distinguishable in a crowd of people as cats are from dogs. Aspies who have developed a very good talent for masking their Aspieness can fool even most other Aspies. Just because Aspies and NTs are both human, each can still have a different brain structure and be equally free from disorder.
¹I know Kathy Hoopman wrote a book called All Cats Have Asperger Syndrome. I haven’t seen it yet, but I will eventually since my curiosity won’t allow otherwise.
Olie Nap
See what happens when there is never anything good to watch on TV! Oliver may as well catch some sleep-eye before the birds are back feed’n at the feeder.
Yes, to the upper right of Olie boy is a Snoopy music ball. The Peanuts gang is dancing around the old juke box, but unless you’ve got magnificating eyes, you’re probably not even going to notice.
Pals
Rascal is beside her best buddy (made in China, is she?).
“Oh, Rascal . . . what’d ya do to that plump butterball you dragged off the grown young’n’s bed again?! One of these days you’re gonna rip the stuff’n right out of her . . . and then what you’a gonna do?”
Straw-Buried-Bomber
Time to move on. On the coffee table, the Mrs. has served herself a drink . . .
She calls it her ‘Straw-Buried’ Bomber.
In a large glass, add half a dozen ice cubs.
Fill 2/3rds with organic orange/mango/peach juice blend.
Cut a couple of washed strawberries in half; plunk the foursome into your glass.
Add substantial amount of original Peachtree Schnapps.
Top with whipped cream and a Maraschino cherry.
Poke a straw into the cloud and sit back for the taste of your life!
Tipped
Did I have a few too many yesterday? Was it the steamy heat that got to me or my SBBs (Straw-Buried Bombers)? If it looks like I’m a bit fuzzy eyed and lost in Aspergazstan again, it’s because I am. Don’t worry . . . I can always find my way back.
May I recommend a Holiday? . . . Mr. Bean’s Holiday! I just acquired my own copy to enjoy for those trips Mr. Bean won for me! It’s the perfect solution for us Aspies who hate the crowds on airplanes, restaurants, train stations, beaches, etc. but yet want to enjoy those pleasures the ‘typical’ world gets to partake in.
You can’t beat the price! Five bucks gets me unlimited travel time or until the DVD wears out.
Rascal in morning sun
Rascal in the natural early morning light holding her chewy treat.
Oliver & Rascal
Boy meets girl to kiss? Same order (Carnivora),
. . . but different family (Felidae vs. Canidae)!
Rascal and Puzzles
“Cats rule!” says Puzzles to Rascal, especially when the cats are bigger than the dog!
Puz of Oz
Puz isn’t interested in the Wizard of Oz, but rather the Wizard of Zzzz.
I’ve had pets all throughout my life. As of 2008, I now have two cats and two dogs. In order to possibly spare others from needless suffering when dealing with urinary tract infections, please permit me to share my experiences (there are two; one in 2006 and the other in 2007):
On Saturday, July 29th 2006 in the early afternoon, my male Ragdoll cat “Oliver” began showing symptoms of a urinary illness. Naturally this had to begin as the nearby veterinary offices were closing for the weekend. Upon taking the advice of my regular vet’s answering service to call an animal emergency clinic, Oliver was promptly brought in to be checked for a possible blockage.
The vet on call could not find anything wrong with him. He did admit that Oliver’s behavior could be early signs of trouble, so he prescribed Cefa-Drops (Cefadroxil). From that Saturday to the next, the medicine was administered faithfully; using up every last drop. The Sunday after beginning his “medicine,” he continued to show the same signs of urinary tract infection up until Wednesday. From Wednesday to Saturday morning the symptoms gradually disappeared. The Saturday afternoon of August 5th however became an instant replay of last Saturday’s symptoms of suffering. I knew by close observation his urinary tract was not becoming blocked so I refrained from involuntarily donating another $130 to the emergency clinic. Sunday I prayed in earnest for God’s guidance.
I seriously reconsidered Colloidal Silver as the remedy. Sunday morning, after having tried antibiotics for one week, Oliver got his first dose of Colloidal Silver. Three per day seemed to be appropriate. Monday showed no signs of improvement, but I wouldn’t panic since he was no worse either. Tuesday seemed to be another day for testing faith. On Wednesday, he seemed to be more at ease! Also that morning I awoke with the suspicion of cat litter as being the cause of this infection. After quickly coming across this article warning on the dangers of clay based clumping cat litter, I was convinced where the source of Oliver’s trouble was coming from. I threw out every trace of that cursed litter and its box after having immediately purchased World’s Best Cat Litter (corn based) from my nearest supplier (along with a brand new litter box).
Thursday—the day after this litter change over—Oliver was feeling better than I’d ever seen him be before! Even though he seemed to be over his UTI, I still kept giving him Colloidal Silver three times a day on up until Monday, August 14th. Statistics show that Colloidal Silver carries no risk from slight overdose that a few weeks could cause.
The Cefa-Drops did begin to suppress the toxoplasmosis that is caused by the protozoan parasite Toxoplasma gondii. However, Cefa-Drops progress to conquer the infection was ultimately defeated by this obligate intracellular protozoan. That only demonstrated to me exactly what is meant by pharmaceutical antibiotics weakening the immune system. This would result in a veterinarian being compelled to either increase the strength of the next prescription or turn to another type of anti-biotic. Either way the result decreases the long-term health of the cat at the cost of getting rid of the symptoms. In fact, I’ve even read that antibiotics do not work against toxoplasmosis. Reading Testimonial 6’s healing report on UTI and Colloidal Silver further convinces me of this.
Colloidal Silver eliminates the symptoms of UTI too, but it does not diminish the immune system. If you want to read How It Works, go down to the forth section.
It’s also obvious that the truth was said on the dangers of using clay based clumping cat litter. Corn based litter is not inexpensive, but when comparing it against the cost of ill-health that cheap litter brings, it’s worth every penny! Plus, corn litter makes a room smell sweet and clean. It also is easier to maintain since there is less mess.
Now jumping ahead to the year 2007:
This was during the time when some commercially canned cat and dog food brands were making animals sick and dying. Oliver was my only pet who unfortunately consumed some of this toxic food. I was trying to find some brand of canned cat food he would eat, but since he is so particular about his food, he ended up sampling many different brands.
I took Oliver to the vet. He was more sick this time than he was in 2006. I tried the same remedy, however on this occasion something was different. The vet insisted upon many expensive tests for Oliver, which I could not afford.
Back online I went; this time determined to dig deeper for information that would hopefully help me to understand what could be going on in his body. I remember being impressed by a herbal product called Stone Free. I set out to use this kidney and gallbladder medication immediately, along with using Colloidal Silver. I also gave him an herbal supplement that promotes bladder and urinary tract health in dogs and cats called UTI-Free. Within 24 hours, he passed a substantial amount of urine. After 48 hours, he was back to his playful self! I was so relieved and happy, but the vet wasn’t. She also wasn’t too happy over my not telling her what I gave Oliver for his recovery. Oh well, that’s life!
I’ve been able to enjoy watching my pets be healthy for about one year now. I’ve learned how important fluids and the proper pH level is for their health. My cats and dogs get feed only Felidae and Canidae foods (both dry and canned). Their products seem to be the best value, but now they’re having a tough time keeping up with the increased market demand for their brand since the pet food scare of 2007. You won’t find their foods in the grocery store. Only the feed stores sell them.
Now that I’ve said what I’ve said, human government, along with lawsuit addicts, demand I must include this statement in order to protect myself:
The material in this post is provided for educational and informational purposes only, and is not intended to be a substitute for consultation by a “legally permitted” health-care provider. Please consult your own “appropriately licensed” veterinarian about the applicability of any opinions or recommendations with respect to your own pets’ symptoms or medical conditions.
Introducing the one, the only, the amazing . . . Puzzles!
Queen Puz
Rock Bed
Any catfood?
Tail at End
Why Puzzles? Hummm . . .
If you think this Ragdoll looks soft in the pictures, you don’t know soft until you pet one!
Handsome Fella!
Basking in the Light
Fuzzy Headrest
Recycle Me
Sacked Cat
