The cat photo contest has received some great entries so far, and there’s still 2 weeks to go, so keep them coming. The chance to have your kitty painted by Pine Ridge artist Drew Strouble, is just too good to pass up. Looking at all of these adorable photos has got me thinking about our society’s fascination with cats in general. They’re the most common pet we have in North America, and despite criticism that they can be cold, finicky or stubborn; we keep welcoming them into our families.
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| Molly, sneaking a peek - submitted by Kristen |
A true cat person will tell you that it’s because when your cat shows you love, you really know you’ve earned it. Cat’s (unlike another four legged creature I know) don’t show affection to just anyone! Besides, there’s a reason for the cat’s sometimes uppity attitude. The Ancient Egyptians revered cats for their hunting ability, and even worshipped them as gods; can you blame them for having an ego?
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| Libby, looking very statuesque - sumbitted by Diana |
And while true cat people love their feline friends unconditionally, there are actually some solid practical benefits to cat ownership. It has been scientifically proven that owning cats is good for our health and can decrease the occurrence of high blood pressure and other illnesses. Stroking a cat can help to relieve stress and the feeling of a purring cat on your lap creates a strong sense of security and comfort.
So, while they’re not the most productive member of the family (They spend about 16 hours a day sleeping and another 2½ grooming themselves) we love them anyway!
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| Olive (cat) and Lukas (kitten) - unrelated, and having a snuggle, submitted by Margaret |
The only downside to cat ownership that I’ve discovered comes from this fun fact - There are approximately 60,000 hairs per square inch on the back of a cat and about 120,000 per square inch on its underside. That explains why my vacuum is always full of fur….
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| My fat cat Sunny! All of that orange hair is no picnic to vacuum up, let me tell you! |
So give your cat the opportunity for the kind of fame she deserves, and send us her picture! Your entries can be emailed to bariburnu@pineridgeart.com – see the cat photo contest blog for full details.
