THE OBSERVATION BOOTH
OP / ED & PHOTO CREDITS ANDREA DIALECT
During my research for this short, I learned that cats primarily meow to communicate with humans, expressing various needs and emotions, such as greetings, seeking attention, or indicating discomfort or illness. I was also curious about their ability to cry and found that, unlike humans, cats don’t shed tears in response to emotional distress. Instead, they express their feelings through vocalizations, body language, and other behaviors.
Read the draft short below to discover how a “Cat’s Meow” became so ominous and why those meows remain menacing, hollow, and haunting to this day. Check out my muse, Queen Jackie; I thought those images complemented the story nicely. Visit Localtalkweekly.com to read the full story in the Entertainment section. While you’re there, explore the archives to get familiar with all things Andrea Dialect. Join me on my Andrea Dialect Facebook Lab live sessions, where buried treasures turn up every morning. Come along as I develop my daily “PORTAL” sessions live between 5–6 a.m. Set those notifications! Remember, everything I do on social media is raw, homegrown, and experimental mockups. Follow my Instagram @msdialect, and let’s grow out loud together! Like, follow, and share.
MICROSCOPIC
In life, seemingly small things can be monumental. I called each of my children, aka “The 5,” and their feedback was limited. However, we all remember the aftermath. My youngest, the culprit, had to be redirected to the subject matter a few times, as reminiscing about her closet-turned-bedroom took precedence. I won’t be taking her back there mentally again. She recalled that little feline-gender unknown to be grey and black striped.
According to Google, “A grey cat with black stripes, or a ‘grey tabby’ cat, can be a domestic shorthair or a breed like the American Shorthair, Bengal, or Maine Coon, as tabby patterns are common across many breeds.” She mentioned it had pretty eyes and said, “I was old enough to walk home by myself, so I was probably about eleven or twelve when that happened.” We couldn’t remember exactly.
We lived on Argyle at the time. That day, while walking down the street, I heard a cat’s meow. I looked around and saw it sitting by a bush on the sidewalk, partially hidden. It was a small kitten, likely old enough to be away from its mother. You remember we already had a cat at home, right? “Nope!” was my quick response. The kitten seemed scared; I talked to it, and it came to me, and I brought it home. Of course, you didn’t want it, but we all begged and begged, and you let us keep it – that was it!
Delusional, she was, because that wasn’t it. That cat’s meow she’d heard so clearly – but I used to call each of them for dear life, but they couldn’t hear me, lol. Stay on task, Andrea. Hey, perhaps I could be the reason she got stuck in that closet?
Let’s just say those meows that initially tugged at everyone’s heartstrings at home front, except mine of course became the sounds of our worst nightmare. The house turned topsy-turvy before we could blink. Sadly, my little pumpkin didn’t just bring that kitten into our house; those tagalongs that had made that cute little kitten their home had infiltrated the house.
We may not have been purring or meowing as melodically as that kitten, at the time. But we created our own gruesome tunes with every itch and scratch. Getting rid of those jumping bandits was a huge undertaking. I can’t remember, nor can my offsprings, what I did to get them out, but eventually, they were gone. Supposedly, they found a new home, just like that kitten had.
Thank God for neighbors who like kittens and fleas, I suppose. I never allowed another kitten or cat in the house, as I remember. But the 5 said I did. Who knows!
DID YOU KNOW….
A quick meow: This is usually a greeting, especially if you’ve just entered the same area. A long, drawn-out meow: This typically means your cat wants something, like food or attention. Repeated meows: If your cat is particularly excitable or friendly, they might keep “chatting” just to get your attention. – Google
Can cats cry?
While cats do have tear ducts and produce tears, they don’t cry in the same way humans do, meaning they don’t shed tears as a response to emotional distress. Instead, they express emotions and distress through vocalizations, body language, and other behaviors.
Physiological Tears: Cats have tear ducts and produce tears, which are essential for keeping their eyes lubricated, removing debris, and protecting the eye surface.
- No Emotional Crying:
Unlike humans, cats don’t shed tears as a response to emotional states like sadness or pain.
- Other Ways to Express Emotions:
Cats express emotions through various behaviors, including:
- Vocalization: Long, drawn-out yowls or meows can indicate distress or a need for attention.
- Body Language: Hiding, becoming distant, eating less, sleeping more, or tucking themselves into a ball can be signs of sadness or distress.
- Other Signs: Loss of appetite, shaking, or changes in litter box habits can also indicate that something is wrong.
- Watery Eyes:
If you notice your cat’s eyes are watery, it could be due to irritation, allergies, feline conjunctivitis, a foreign body in the eye, an injury, or an underlying health condition.
- When to Seek Veterinary Advice:
If your cat’s eyes are constantly watery or if you notice other concerning behaviors, it’s best to consult with a veterinarian to determine the cause.
What does caterwauling mean?
1. the shrieking and yowling made by a cat, for example when it is on heat or fighting.
Cats headbutt, also known as “bunting,” as a way to mark you with their scent and express affection, indicating a bond and trust.
Here’s a more detailed explanation:
- Scent Marking:
Cats have scent glands on their heads, and when they headbutt, they deposit pheromones (scent molecules) onto you, essentially marking you as part of their territory or “family”.
How old in human years is my cat?
To estimate your cat’s age in human years, the first year is roughly equivalent to 15 human years, the second year adds 9 more, and each year after that is about 4 human years.
Why do cats rub against your legs?
Cats rub against your legs to mark you with their scent, claiming you as part of their territory, and also as a way to show affection and seek attention.
Here’s a more detailed explanation
- Scent Marking:
Cats have scent glands on their cheeks, chin, and head, and rubbing against you transfers their pheromones, which are chemical messengers that communicate
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