I’ll join the clowder... just to see. 

Hi! It’s Charluxx. 

Okay, so cats. 

I figured when I post or share a cat related story I actually get likes. My post as a musician, with a social message, with really groovy music... not so much. So... cats. 

Aesthetically, I created a composite of my cat Minifée to appeal to my many Indian fans. Go India! Thank you for liking me! 

The way I see it, cats have got it mostly figured out... When they have the freedom to do so, to discover themselves in a safe environment. 

So, right there that eliminates a good percentage of them. A lot of cats are badly domesticated (declawed and kept inside)... they are the slaves, but they are alive. Stray or feral cats have a two year survival rate when they pull through the 50% chance of dying in their first few months. 

A cat is a creature of wonder. When they are happy and safe, you can see them evolve and grow before your eyes. Cats, like me, are observers. They look at their world and figure it out. They will investigate whatever varies from the norm. Immediately. They will asses the possible danger and deal with it in kindly fashion, i.e.: fight or flight... when the conditions are right. They will focus their extraordinarily enhanced nervous system and use all of their very sharp senses. First, is it moving? Is it moving towards me? Is it aware of me? (those take priority.) Smell, check. Sounds, check. Is anything moving within a 3% parameter, anything above 4%, they will spot. 

Cats have more nerve endings than humans, a stronger and better adapted skeleton—ours isn’t even completely developed yet, evolution wise, for walking upright!—more bones, and sharper senses by a factor of a lot! Hearing: 5 times better. Smell: 200 million odour-sensitive cells in the nostrils, humans: 5 million. Touch: one word: whiskers, on their faces and their front paws. Sight: their visual cortex is more developed than most mammals. Cats attain full alertness faster than any other creature. 

Cats have a “vocabulary” of around 100 vocal sounds (compared to a dog’s 10) and use the same pitch, volume, and intensity of sound as humans use in speech. 

Cats have almost twice as many neurons in their brains than dogs, around 300 million, compared to around 160 million. Fact: that is more than 50 times the amount of neurons then the president of a well known country in Northern America who’s name rhymes with rump... Where it’s been suggested his brain actually resides. 

Cats cat run faster and jump a lot higher. A very gifted athlete can run maybe 43 kph, an average cat? 48 kph! The world record for the vertical high jump for humans, with a running start, is 2.4 metres. An average cat can easily jump more than 1.5 metres, without running, which is more than seven times their own height. Humans? Well, if you were very short, say 1.2 meters high, and happened to be the world record holder that’s still only twice your height. If the average person was 1.5 meters tall we would be able to jump straight up over 10 meters in the air!

In University my biology teacher was asked what animal was best adapted to their environment on the planet. His answer, without hesitation, was felines. They are found in every ecosystem, from the harsh deserts to the icy plains of the tundra. 

More bones, better senses, better reflexes, retractable claws... and a tail. In short: cats rule! 

Being a cat myself, I understand these creatures. 

To me, cats are like most adults: they can be left alone, whereas dogs are like children in that they require constant attention. I appreciate the subtleties and finesse a cat brings. 

Contrary to popular belief, cats are not “independent.” They can take care of themselves, that's quite different. But that scares people. Specially macho types (men and women) who feel the need to dominate another creature. Cats will simply not let you. So there.

People often laugh at me when I call my cats by name. Well guess what, cats do recognize their name. Duh. And they take walks with Isabelle and I too!

Here’s a little video I shot of Minifée whom I’ve trained (or did she in fact train me... not quite sure about that one!) to recognize the word “bounboun” (a made up word based on bonbon) to jump on a chair and catch little cat treats. Cats are apparently easier to train than dogs. The difference—and I love this!—is that they will only do it if they feel like it. You have to appreciate that. Free will. 

Here’s to cats. Like every single living creature they have feelings and require Love. Respect and treat them well. They will pay you back in kind. Subtle they are but also full of imagination and tenderness. 

Hope you enjoyed this little cat diversion.

Next week more music and philosophy.

Until then, stay groovy my friends.

Peace and Love. 

Charluxx.