Saturday, March 14, 2015

Cat wrestling ... do humans understand?


Dear George,
Nope! It's not what you think (looking at my picture with my brother).
I'd tell what it is - it is called CAT WRESTLING and I'm the champion in our house. It all started with my desire to help Stanley (my brother) to be more active.
Lately there was a lot of talk about lifestyle, healthy eating, being active - all this non-sense. If you think how much we helped humans to evolve over the years one might wonder if we didn't do ourselves a disservice. As soon as we trained them to be our humble servants they never stopped. They developed canned food, dry food, food in pouches, treats, frozen goods including farmed and frozen mice and all this in the name of their love for us! 
We marvel at all these packaged goods but in the meantime we became less and less active. Obesity runs rampant in North America for both cats and their humble servants. My brother is just an example; he's not obese yet but he's not active and he sleeps all day. So, I thought of something fun to entertain him and make him "move" around. That's how I started cat wrestling and I was quite successful until the day Mom caught me and started yelling to leave Stanley alone. She THINKS we are fighting. She said cat wrestling is absolutely forbidden in our house!
George, this is the reason I'm writing to you. Can she get me in trouble? It's just a game! Can she "make" cat wrestling illegal? I don't think she understands what "wrestling" is all about. What do you think?
A very upset wrestling champion
Rocky

Dear Rocky,
You are so right. Indoor living has a high risk of obesity. Lots of energetic games between loving siblings is just what is needed to keep healthy. So wrestling is great. But there is one worry. How does Stanley feel about this?  Is he enjoying it too?  Or does he feel bullied?
Humans are hopeless at working out whether wrestling is fighting or play fighting.  And it matters, because if it is fighting, not play, one of the cats will be feeling very unhappy. Are you biting him, Rocky? Is there fur, or even blood, on the carpet? If so he needs a new home.   
Is Stanley beginning to wear a cautious look? Is he being ambushed at the litter tray? Or frightened to go to the food bowl?  If the answer is "Yes" to this, then you are bullying him. He needs lots of hiding places, separate litterbox location and a separate food location.
On the other hand if Stanley starts a wrestling bout, if he plays an equal part in the game, if he is sometimes the winner, and if the play is reciprocal - then it is play. So wrestle on, my friend.
Love 
George.

5 comments:

  1. George, please don't worry! I don't bully Stanley; there is no biting and no blood! Just fun:-). After reading your reply...now I understand why Mommy is worried. But, you gave her good reference points thou so, maybe she'll understand we are just playing. Check my letter posted on your blog on Jan. 10 this year and you'll see us sleeping peacefully together. And, yes, Stanley wins....sometimes :-))) Rocky

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  2. Rocky, a word of caution; change the game for your own' sake. I once tried to be the wrestling champion in the house and the conclusion was that I was bullying 3 other cats and almost got myself kicked out! Play safe buddy - better run up and down "alone" if you want to be active.
    Marty

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  3. Carla, the tuxedo catMarch 14, 2015

    Rocky, I love the picture! I'm on your side, of course! I'm sure you are just having fun; Stanley doesn't seem to fuss about it; he looks like enjoying the game.
    Hugs
    Carla, the tuxedo cat

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  4. Phoebe here- I love to wrestle and box to keep my girlish figure. :)

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  5. this is hilarious post, simply awesome.. Lost and found

    ReplyDelete

Help for cats whose humans show behaviour problems.

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