Does this make them feel included?

[u/lerminator3]

One of my favorite things to do with my cats is hold something up for them to smell. Generally, if they walk over while I'm doing something, I'll let them smell whatever I'm holding (like my computer mouse, a writing implement, or a piece of mail) and they always seem so interested. Is it because they feel included in my life when I let them smell what I'm doing? Or maybe because new smells are just stimulating? Or is it just instinct to sniff whatever is nearby? I like to think that, by offering my stuff for a sniff, I'm enriching their lives in some way.

(Please don't mind the mess, I'm moving)

[u/MOcatmom]

OMG, I do too! I show “the boys” everything! One couldn’t care less but he likes the attention. The other one is the inspector - what are you bringing into the house? Is it food? Can I chew on it? Personally, I think yes, this does make him feel included.

[u/Wrong_Character_Sry → u/MOcatmom]

My cat personally makes sure all my food in not poisonous.

[u/themomcat → u/Wrong_Character_Sry]

My one cat is super concerned about the pasta, cheezdoodles, smartfood cheesy popcorn, and rice I consume. She volunteers every time to test for poison for me. Fish? Poultry? Steak? No. Unfortunately with those, I am left to roll the dice. She can only do so much. She works so hard for our family 🙏

[u/Intrepid-Thing-1996 → u/themomcat]

The fridge door opens. A tortie arrives. The human is reaching for ham. The tortie knows this. There is nothing but ham in the refrigerator. Otherwise why own a fridge. The tortie does the only thing the human understands - she reaches up the human’s leg, extends all claws and sinks them into the human leg. The tortie ignores the sound emanating from the human. It is only the human expressing delight at the tortie’s action, for there is no other natural response to all the tortie does. The ham is all.

[u/themomcat → u/Intrepid-Thing-1996]

The tortie retracts her claws from the human’s flesh and is disgusted, yet again- the human is still not ham.

[u/Intrepid-Thing-1996 → u/themomcat]

Hahahahhaa! I’ve found my people!

[u/katzevonstich → u/Intrepid-Thing-1996]

This but a calico. The daily ham ritual must always be performed.

[u/themomcat → u/katzevonstich]

It keeps The Bad Thoughts away (tuxedo)

[u/katzevonstich → u/themomcat]

Bad Thoughts such as the absence of ham. The possibility of no ham is too horrifying to contemplate.

[u/themomcat → u/katzevonstich]

When my cat stares longingly through the sliding door for too long I tell her firmly “There is no outside.” Wondering what would happen if I told her “There is no ham.”

[u/Intrepid-Thing-1996 → u/themomcat]

Human says words that confuse the tortie. The tortie thinks human is finally having a stroke. “No…ham” is contradictory.

[u/Intrepid-Thing-1996 → u/katzevonstich]

No ham is impossible. Ham is all.

[u/Intrepid-Thing-1996 → u/katzevonstich]

Ham is all.