The Purrfect Nanny & Purrfect Pet Health Blog

http://pets.yahoo.com/blog/catbehavior/14/can-kitties-kiss-just-look-into-their-eyes/

I came across that story on my Yahoo front page last week, and I must say, I always wondered what my cat, Bathory was doing, or thinking, or feeling when she’d give me her slooooow blink. I’ve always done it back, with all my cats for as long as I can remember, never calling it anything, but just knowing we’d shared a moment.

According to animal behaviorists they are the feline equivalent to kisses. I learned so much more about the cat kiss by doing some more research beyond the Yahoo story. Some behaviorists and cat admirers believe in them, some don’t. Either way, it’s amazing that this slow blink is reserved for only the very special people in the felines life. Mostly close members of the family that are often around, and share a bond with the cat. It happens when the cat is in the state of resonation. A state of being that has been debated for centuries.

Another time the state of resonation can wield some interesting results, is when cats decide to paint!! Yes, you read right, there are books and articles on it as well. Some cats have been known to sit in that state, in front of a painting or a picture, or even a window with a view outside. The guardians of the cats somewhere along the line got the interesting notion to put paint down and tape up some paper, and let their cats be creative. If you look up cat painting, you will see some interesting pictures of paintings done by cats, and the real life object side by side. Mind you the painting is always a much more abstract version, but nonetheless amazing!

So, what is resonating you ask? It’s those times when your cat is so calm, and peaceful. She is probably sitting upright, sometimes laying in the Sphinx position, her muscles very relaxed, her ears forward, but not pricked, eyes at half mast, and her body is gently rocking back and forth to the rhythm of a very slow, soft purr. They seem completely unaware of what’s going on around them, not a care in the world. But, it’s very similar to meditation, the are in fact quite aware of the motions and movements around them, and more aware of the emotions in the area. Especially since cats resonate only when the area they are in, and the other beings that surround them, are at peace, and everything is calm.

These cat kisses, what are they, and how can I participate? The cat kiss is done when your cat is in the resonating state, she is probably sitting near you, or maybe on the other side of the room, but she is aware of you, and you can easily get her eye contact just by looking in her direction. She will feel your gaze and look back at you, and if you’re really lucky, she’ll give you that slow, gentle blink. Stay calm, and relax, and give her one back. It’s a great way to bond, and share special moments with your cat.

You can always try painting with your cat too. Give her peaceful spots in front of windows with a cat perch, to stare out into space, and resonate in. Make her a spot on the floor next to the window that is covered in a layer of butcher paper or newspaper, with a nice large piece of craft paper taped to the wall, from floor to about 2 to 3 feet high (cats that paint will stretch up to paint up high, some will even jump up), put down some bowls of non toxic, water based paints, in a variety of colors. Wait and see what happens. Be patient! Some cats don’t paint, some won’t do it right away, some will resonate, go and enjoy life, and come back later to paint, some even need to be put down in front of the paint and paper after resonating. But, don’t force anything, if she is going to paint, she will. If not…just revel in those moments of peace with her, sit in front of the window with her, in your favorite chair, and see the world as she does.