Pages

Sunday, June 8, 2008

Cats As Thermometers

Just when I begin to think I am a complete heat wimp, my cats vindicate me. Both Abby and Cassie have been suddenly dropping to the floor and sprawling out in a variety of ungainly poses. They only do this when we are deep in the Three Hs: Hazy, Hot & Humid. Neither will allow me to photograph them in these undignified positions. But I don’t want to be photographed all flushed and “glowing” (read sweat pouring off me) as I fan myself incessantly, so I really can’t complain. Cassie likes to lay on her side, head up, legs in four directions, making herself as long as possible. Abby will lay flat on her stomach, legs in four directions or flat on her back, otter style, paws in the air. As if to provide me with further proof, they have even deigned to join us in the bedroom with the air conditioner and neither one likes the hum it makes.

Thank you girls. Mommy feels (irrationally) much cooler.

8 comments:

purpleronnie said...

Hehehehe..! I like this. Pity they won't share their poses with us. I love the poses that cats get themselves into - you can really laugh at them sometimes.
I won't call you a heat wimp as at the moment even though winter is settling in here, I am still feeling like it's summer in my body!

Claudia Snell said...

Awwww - I love kitties. So much fun.

My cat, Chuck, has been doing what I call his impression of a throw rug all over the house all weekend in his attempts to beat that heat. He lays on his back with all 4 legs in 4 opposite directions. Like a fluffy orange throw rug. It goes something like this: http://flickr.com/photos/claudiasnell/135923568/in/set-72057594113738823. The sprawling is much more exaggerated when he's on a larger surface.

Pink Granite said...

Hi Ronnie -
As soon as I pick up the camera, Abby races away. She thinks she's Greta Garbo! And Cassie changes positions as if she wants to look her best for the photograph!
Good luck with the countdown to July 15th. I'm happy Little Sarah keeps cooperating!
;o)
- Lee

Hi Claudia -
Thanks for the link to the photos of Your Chuck! "Fluffy orange throw rug" is an excellent description!
We adopted our cats several years ago in the month of January. So we were quite surprised (and a little alarmed) when the first heat wave rolled through and they both started collapsing on the floor! Our other cats had similar techniques for getting cool, but nothing so abrupt and startling!
;o)
- Lee

Anonymous said...

Luckily, we have A/C in the whole apartment, so the cats seem to be behaving the same way. Sleeping or running head-first into the glass slider chasing birds they can't catch.

And I love the heat! Can't get enough of it. Nothing says summer like SPF 4 tanning lotion and sitting poolside reading US Magazine. And margaritas...mmmm, margaritas... Sitting in my office right now is killing me. They expect me to work? I have a great view of the city up here, and there is this haze over everything. Looks a bit unhealthy, but it certainly lets you know its in the 90s!

Ms Brown Mouse said...

Our pusscats are thermometers too – only the other way, the colder it is the more snuggly they get and the tighter the little ball they curl themselves into is. When the two of them deign to share a lap, you know it must be really cold! Come summertime, it’s the same as your girls, sprawled out as long as they can get on the tiles or floorboards. Small once elongated herself along the soaker hose, see - .

Pink Granite said...

Hi Kate -
Ummm.... Seriously?
If so, how the heck are we related?!?!??! LOL!
Although once upon a time I did dearly love the beach and the ocean - salt, sand, sun the whole nine yards. Now it's an event to get there and home!
Stay as cool or as hot as your desires dictate!
;o)
- A.L.

Hi DMM -
A cat's a cat the world around...
Thanks for the description and the link to the photo of the very clever, very resourceful Small!
;o)
- Lee
P.S. The link to the photo is the underlined period at the end of Morgan's comment.

Sue said...

I'm jealous. It's really cold here (OK, well only up to 17 deg C during the day) and I just want to be warm again. That said, I'm sure the heat of Dubai at this time of year is going to have me wishing for the cooler Cape Town weather again. And I might end up putting some photos of my son in ungainly cooling off positions on my blog in the not-too-distant future...

PS. Gorgeous flower shots!!

Pink Granite said...

Hi Sue -
16 -22 C (The 60s F) is just about perfect for me!
Right now it's about 95 F (35 C) outside, 80 F (26 C) downstairs and 85 F (29 C) on the second floor. Because the heat and humidity are staying high overnight, we haven't been able to open up and cool down the house in the evenings. Thankfully, we have our little oasis of cool and dry in the bedroom!

I look forward to seeing pictures of Jake anytime - including any "ungainly cooling off positions"!
Your upcoming trip sounds increasingly exotic and exciting. I look forward to your travelogue!
;o)
- Lee