Dear Obie,
I am a Smoke Tabby kitty like you, and I live with my humans in Monmouth, Oregon. I am currently an indoor kitty; I am not allowed to go outside at all. Am I missing anything?
Signed, Alphonso
Monmouth, Oregon
Dear Alphonso,
Many humans claim that it goes “against nature” to keep a kitty as an indoor-only kitty, but I disagree. After all, it could be argued that it goes “against nature” to bulldoze a hundred acres of forest to build a shopping mall, but that has never stopped humans from revving up those engines. In any case, the Humane Society and various veterinary groups estimate that an indoor-only cat will live, on average, almost twice as long as a cat that goes outdoors. Almost twice as long! When you ask if you’re missing anything by not being allowed to go outside, well, yes, you are. You’re missing being attacked by dogs, hit by cars, exposed to fleas or poison or feline diseases such as feline leukemia virus (FLV) and feline immunodeficiency virus (FIV,) or even injured or killed by those few vile humans who enjoy hurting animals, especially cats. Also, did you know that fewer than 5% of cats that get lost and end up in shelters are ever reunited with their humans? So, Alphonso my friend, enjoy being an indoor kitty. It means your humans love you and want to keep you safe and healthy for a long time!
Your friend,
Obsidian Bulungus (Obie)
Dear Obie,
When did humans first discover the joy of having cats as pets, and is it true we were once revered as gods?
Signed, Friskers
Salem, Oregon
Dear Friskers,
Cats were first welcomed into the homes of humans, as far as we can tell, several thousand years ago in Egypt. The Egyptians were pretty smart, and they had invented new methods for storing grain. Well, stored grain is like an open invitation for mice and rats to come and feast, and who is better at getting rid of pesky mice and rats than a cat? When those humans discovered how great we were at keeping their homes free of rodents, the welcome mat was rolled out to us!
As humans spent more time with us, they did indeed come to revere us as amazing creatures, almost god-like! The penalty for killing a cat was death, and many cats were mummified after death and buried in sacred plots, just like kings! They even mummified mice and placed them in the graves to give the cats a meal during their journey to the afterlife!
So, be proud, Friskers! You are descended from royalty!
Your friend,
Obie*****
Remember, folks, I am not a vet! I am a cat! Always talk to your vet before making any medical decisions regarding your cat! Please!