Dear George,
It's me, Bander, the cat rescued by a whole
pet food store! Remember my story? Well, let me tell you the latest news! After
that client of ours started making sarcastic comments about my size and
shape...the staff analyzed the situation and they agreed that I'm taking my job
as the night shift "food quality manager" way too serious (as you can
see in photo 1) and this might affect my health. Since there was no other
career opening for the moment at the store, the youngest staff member (and the
cutest) Danielle decided to take me home to boss her dog around. You might
think "why a dog"? Well, this dog is very special; he LOVES cats -
can't live without a cat bossing him around! So, I was rescued once again! But,
the dog is a lot of work! We play together, we sleep together, but we don't eat
together! The result of my new job? I slimmed down a lot as you can see in photo
2. Of course I'm happy! I have a big backyard and a lot of space to run around,
I have a lovely dog to boss around and I have the most lovely Danielle to
cuddle to.
But the truth is that even if I'm very
happy now...my ego was hurt when people tried to shame me for being fat!
George, for my own sake please explain to me the difference between being fat,
overweight and obese! In my not so humble opinion ...I was just well rounded
and nothing else!
Cheers,
Bander
Dear Bander,
This puts me in a bit of a spot. In principle I claim that humans have no right to be judgemental about feline size - I mean just take a look at the passersby from your window. About 60% are overweight and of those a further 50% are obese. This species has no right to be critical of fat cats. And I strongly object to the way we are stigmatised in the press, as if we were money-grubbing humans. Cats are not interested in money. This is a particularly vile insult.
That said, being very overweight is not good for our health. Cats get arthritic like humans and being overweight is a stress on the joints. It's probably not good for a whole range of other diseases too and I would remind all cats reading this that disease means a trip to those torturers known as vets. Stay healthy and you stay out of the vet's surgery with its horrible smells and whining dogs.
Overweight? The STS or Sagging Tummy Syndrome does inflict many of us, who are unable to regulate our diet naturally. And if we don't have any exercise, it gets worse. I am lucky enough to go out and kill rats and mice, but indoor cats cannot hunt - so they need hunting games with their humans. Obese? That is more of a problem. If the human cannot feel your ribs, then it is an issue. So perhaps leaving your job as food quality inspector was a good idea.
But I bet the customers miss you.
Love
George
Dear Bander,
This puts me in a bit of a spot. In principle I claim that humans have no right to be judgemental about feline size - I mean just take a look at the passersby from your window. About 60% are overweight and of those a further 50% are obese. This species has no right to be critical of fat cats. And I strongly object to the way we are stigmatised in the press, as if we were money-grubbing humans. Cats are not interested in money. This is a particularly vile insult.
That said, being very overweight is not good for our health. Cats get arthritic like humans and being overweight is a stress on the joints. It's probably not good for a whole range of other diseases too and I would remind all cats reading this that disease means a trip to those torturers known as vets. Stay healthy and you stay out of the vet's surgery with its horrible smells and whining dogs.
Overweight? The STS or Sagging Tummy Syndrome does inflict many of us, who are unable to regulate our diet naturally. And if we don't have any exercise, it gets worse. I am lucky enough to go out and kill rats and mice, but indoor cats cannot hunt - so they need hunting games with their humans. Obese? That is more of a problem. If the human cannot feel your ribs, then it is an issue. So perhaps leaving your job as food quality inspector was a good idea.
But I bet the customers miss you.
Love
George