Saturday, December 03, 2011

Animals vs. humans

Granny Annie lost one of her animals recently, and wrote a really thought-provoking post about her relationships to her pets. When her neighbor, whose dog killed the animal, offered to financially compensate her, she found herself wondering how to explain the loss to someone who really did not understand.

Had I not met Mr. RK, there is a real possibility that I would have turned into crazy cat lady. And I would have been just fine with that! I love family and friends, but I love my cats more than most people.

Animals don't disappoint me like humans do - and our furry little guys are just wonderful.
(They seem to know when we need them most: for a week after Mr. RK's mom died last summer, they both slept right by his pillow.)



Pets don't lie to you. They are always happy to see you. They will let you know what they want or need without playing games. If they're irritated at each other, they'll wap each other and wrestle until they get it out of their systems (try doing that at work!) And they are super loyal.

They won't secretly be irritated at you if you get them the wrong kind of birthday present, or fail to return their call as soon as they would like you to.

Me - I am direct. But not everyone wants to be direct, or wants other people to be direct. I've run into problems with family and family-in-law when people talk behind each others' backs instead of being upfront. Repeatedly, I have asked, "Why don't you just tell him/her what you think?" (Or, in some cases, "Why would you have a problem if I told him/her what I think?")

And again and again, the answer is, "Oh, I can't do that because..."

I spend a lot of time wondering what humans need or want, trying to deconstruct what makes them tick, etc. Yes, part of this is my fault because I am an inquisitive person and a sociologist/social worker at heart; however, sometimes I wonder if the ability to speak a language has really tripped us up as a species. I'd rather someone just wap me with their tail if they are irriated.

How about you?

20 comments:

Shionge said...

Yo RK, I am just like you direct and straight to the point and sadly being sincere and upfront often hurt me the post.

Remembered my previous post about dealing with with passive-agreesive personality disorder person? It has been three months and it seems like I am the bad guy...that I am the one at fault...it hurts me deeply because the person that I have to deal with is my significant half :*( I don't have a good vibe to this matrimony at the moment but I know I have to be strong for my children.

Ah...so sorry for a sad comment :")

G. B. Miller said...

Being upfront and blunt about things has gotten me into a ton o' trouble and caused a myriad of problems over the years.

I've lost a few friends and acquaintences over the years simply because I was honest in what I would say and it would be grossly misinterpeted in the process.

And because of the environment that I currently work in, I've learned to censor myself and fake it on a daily basis in order to survive.

Lynn said...

I run into all sorts of passive agressive behavior and I can't stand that. A woman I work with says jokey things at others' expense (especially in front of the bosses and their daughter, who works there now, too.)

Yes - cats are so wonderful. I was at a dinner party last night and the hosts' gorgeous Maine Coon cat came into the room. She bypassed all the people calling to her to come to them and stood in front of me with her huge eyes. I put my fingers down for her to sniff and she rubbed her face against them. I put her in my lap and she settled down and purred and purred and kept looking up at my face. A peaceful 20 minutes. I miss having a kitty.

Jeannie said...

People do not want honesty. They want to be lied to. They want pie in the sky. They want to believe they are never at fault. They are beautiful. They are talented. They want to live in a fairy tale.

That's why people will pay $40+ for a very ordinary $8 T-shirt that happens to have a logo on it.

People are stupid.

That's why advertising works.
That's why we get the politicians we do.
That's why ridiculous drama queens get reality shows.

That's why I have no friends.

Holland said...

I find that people are not direct with each other because they are so afraid to hurt each other. I think that if you are a friend you will tell me that I am wearing something that doesn't suit me, that the guy I date is wrong, that you have my back covered. That you will tell me to stop acting like a well whatever.... that we can disagree and be a friend for each other. People mostly do not understand that honesty, how brutal it may be sometimes, is the best way between friends and loved ones.

Riot Kitty said...

Well everyone, now I want to go cry! Seriously, though, thanks for the thought-provoking comments.

S: I am so sorry! You are strong, I hope things get better.
G: Your office sounds really fucked up. I've been at a job where I had to censor myself all the time and that was weird.
L: I hate it when people do that! And you can get another kitty, you know :)
J: Hey, you have us! Sad but true, though.
H: Also true.

LL Cool Joe said...

I just don't like people at all. Blunt or not. My feelings are similar to Jeannie's. :D

To be honest I don't want people to be honest with me, but then I don't want their bullshit either. I've got to the stage where I don't want either, so I just want them to fuck off and leave me alone. :D

Riot Kitty said...

Joey: Ditto w/everything!

G. B. Miller said...

Gotta remember, I work for the guv'ment, where a bad word about someone can last forever and a day.

So yeah, I learn to bite the bullet.

Granny Annie said...

Later to this post and here you had a shout-out for me. Darn.

Love my spouse but my dog Slim is a much better listener. And how would I ever find my cat's food dish if the whole batch didn't joyfully run to greet me each morning and lead me to their bowl? We can learn lots about uncomplicated living from our animal friends.

I'm sure your cat sensed Mr. R.Ks loss and were comforting him.

A Beer for the Shower said...

True dat. The only time my dog disappoint me is when he leaves a squishy Cleveland Steamer on the rug. And given the opportunity, even some of my friends would do that. So, cheers to the pets!

Riot Kitty said...

G: I worked for a newspaper, which was supposed to be about free speech! But they were a bunch of uptight corporate pricks, generally.
GA: I'd prefer some less complicated living, that's for sure. And yes, the furry boys are quite intuitive and sweet. :)
ABFTS: This is the difference between boys and girls!

Anonymous said...

Animals > Humans. Facebook Twitter

Riot Kitty said...

IF: Yep.

Full-On-Forward said...

Meow Biyatch! Love ya and totally understand this beautiful post!

Hugs,

John

Riot Kitty said...

LOL John!

Snaggle Tooth said...

I agree Honesty is best. Unfortunately I find folks especially at work, do not want to know how I really feel when they ask- because I hate my physical job which is often uncomfortable n difficult.

My bff is currently my cat. I didn't choose her 12 years ago, she was abandoned- but turned out to be the best ever.
To someone who's never befriended an animal, the bond can't be understood.

Riot Kitty said...

ST: Our kitties are rescue kitties too - and I am pretty sure they chose us.

Logical Libby said...

I am a firm believer in letting an animal find you. That way you know you saved each other.

Riot Kitty said...

L: Awww! True.