It's just not fair. Maybe it's because of the whole "man's best friend" thing, but cats get a bad rap sometimes. Like every cat is aloof and demanding and dogs happily lay at their owners' feet, waiting to do their bidding.
I've had some genuinely wonderful cats in my life. Looking back, they've all tended to be big 'ol lunker male cats that top the scales at a minimum of 12-15lbs. I don't know that I've ever had a kitten. We've always rescued our cats and I've selected for temperament, so my cats have been like dogs; happy-go-lucky, greet you at the door, love a good scratch, felines. I wrote about one very special cat, Indy, in a recent blog post.
Maybe this is why I enjoy photographing cats and kittens. I love how playful they are and the graceful curves they make with their bodies, how they close their eyes in bliss and communicate through their tales. Nine out of ten cat photo sessions take place in my Carrollton studio, but I have done a bluebonnets session with one cat and sometimes photograph them at home if that's where they'll be most comfortable.
Whether it's a kitten newborn session, celebrating the addition of a rescued new member of the family or honoring an old friend that's been with you through thick and thin, cats deserve all the same attention and lauding that their canine counterparts do so I'm kicking off National Cat Lovers Month with a post about our feline friends.
Cats Form Bonds With Their Humans Similar to Dogs and Babies
Cats see their owners as a source of security and comfort (I think the feeling is mutual) and a scientific study has debunked the myth that cats are antisocial, emotionally distant, and unable to bond with their humans.
There have been reports of cats risking their own lives for their owners, protecting them from harm, and consoling them when upset - even licking away their tears. Cats have exhibited distress - meowing, refusing to eat, or even hiding when a long-time owner has passed away.
There are also numerous reports of cats traveling miles to find their people - just Google "cat travels miles to find owner" and you'll see what I mean - here's a list of 10 amazing stories.
Something that I think is interesting is that I've had just as many men with their cats in the studio as I have had women, just look at the images below. Real men love cats.
My husband is our cat Jiffy's human, no doubt about it. I rescued him, clean his litter box every morning, brush him, clean his weepy eyes and feed him twice a day - but he lays on my husband's lap every single night while we're watching television. They're midday nap buddies and Jiffy can't wait to assume the helm of whatever chair my husband has been sitting in as soon as he vacates it.
How do you know if your cat loves you? Here are some examples of affectionate cat behavior:
- Headbutting and rubbing the sides of their face on you
- Rubbing up against your ankles
- Jumping up on counters/furniture to get closer to you
- Kneading (some call it “making muffins”)
- Purring
- Trills
- Mews
- Chirps
- Curling up in your lap
- Grooming/licking
- Happy/excited to see you
All this talk about cats made me think of a video I saw on the news recently, it was of a wild mountain lion playing with a swing, just like a house cat (you can see the video here). Domestic cats share 95.6% of their genetic makeup with tigers, so it's no surprise that watching big cats reminds us of our small ones.
Another interesting fact about cats is that spend about 70% of their lives sleeping (there are days when I think that might be an underestimate!), that's 13-16 hours of quality snooze time.
And you'll never guess what cats share in common with giraffes and camels - how they walk! They are the only animals in the world whose walking sequence is both right feet first, followed by both left feet. I had no idea and needed to check it out for myself and found this video.
The point of all this information is that cats are just as devoted, loving, complex, and bonded with us as our dogs are and they deserve the same honor and treatment so don't be reluctant to schedule a photo shoot with your cat, you won't regret it.
All Around the Pet Photography Blog Circle
It's about the bond we have with our pets this week in the pet photographers' blog circle so let's head on over to Seattle Dog Photographer, Holly Cook, explores the unbreakable bond between a woman who has gone through A Dark Night of the Soul, and her ever faithful dog, who remained at her side and then continue clicking on the link at the bottom of each post for an around the world tour of moving pet photograph that celebrates the relationships we have with our pets.
Tracy Allard of Penny Whistle Photography is a Certified Professional Photographer with the organization Professional Photographers of America; a designation held by fewer than 2,000 photographers nationwide and a hallmark of consistency, technical skill, artistry, and professionalism. Tracy's pet photography has garnered national and international awards and she recently won the silver medal in International Photographic Competition.
Penny Whistle specializes in both on-location and studio photography providing pet, equine, family, couples & engagement, and high school senior portraits as well as corporate headshots and commercial photography services in her studio located in historic downtown Carrollton as well as on-location in Coppell, Grapevine, Southlake, Flower Mound, and surrounding communities in Dallas – Fort Worth, Texas.
6 Comments
Dec 18, 2022, 6:44:42 PM
Elaine - I have always had strong bonds with our cats. They may have a different attitude about things, but they offer as much love and care as dogs do. I love love love the last photo in this blog!
Dec 6, 2022, 12:22:08 PM
Darci - Speaking for both myself and my husband, we started having Tracy shoot our cats because we realized just how much a part of our family they were. We’re both featured in pictures with this post, and have since lost both cats. Not a day goes by that we’re so thankful we had storyboards done of both of them. We’re a house of dogs and cats, and each holds very special places in our hearts. Thanks Tracy for giving the felines the love they deserve. Sometimes man can have two best friends 😉
Dec 2, 2022, 2:09:40 PM
Holly Cook - Ok, now I have to watch my cat walk! I had no idea they walked like giraffes. We have a fairly new cat in our home. He's 10, and we rescued him from a local shelter. Well, to be fair, he picked me. Literally put his paw on my shoulder and tapped, as if to say "Hey. Lady! I'm right here and I want to go home with you." He's a wonderful cat named Yukon and he is the smartest cat I've ever met. The surprising thing about him? He waits at the door for his people to return. When we take the dog out for a walk, when we get back, Yukon is waiting at the door. He's really something.
Dec 2, 2022, 11:22:17 AM
Angela Schneider - My bond with cats has extended to passing "eff you" glances. And that's even when I lived with cats. We just don't get along.
Dec 2, 2022, 10:06:33 AM
Terri Jankelow - This is interesting! I've always believed that cats do not bond with humans as much as dogs do!
Dec 2, 2022, 6:52:57 AM
Jessica - Many people assume cats are overly independent, but this proves they do crave and create a connection with their people.