topic Re: My Neighbor Thinks I'm Strange in Community Chat

My Neighbor Thinks I'm Strange

occasionalrain — Wed, 28 Sep 2016 17:29:36 GMT

There are three feral cats I feed. Sometimes I read out on my patio, when I do, these cats show up and lounge about. So, when they do, I read aloud to them and they seem to enjoy it.

Well, this morning I was out there reading to them and my neighbor appeared, gave me this odd look then hurried away.

What I want to know is, do you find my behavior strange?

The other thing I want to know is, do you read to cats or dogs?

By tonight my patio behavior will be known throughout the neighborhood. I wonder how my other neighbors will react. Any gesses?

Re: My Neighbor Thinks I'm Strange

SharkE — Wed, 28 Sep 2016 17:33:23 GMT

As long as they don't talk back guess it's OK

Re: My Neighbor Thinks I'm Strange

jlkz — Wed, 28 Sep 2016 17:34:36 GMT

Don't know about what neighbors would say. However, I am concerned about your physical health just in case one or more of the feral cats scratches you: please make sure that your tetanus shots are up to date. Then do what you love !

Re: My Neighbor Thinks I'm Strange

tennpal15 — Wed, 28 Sep 2016 17:35:40 GMT

you can't actually care about this, right?

people should mind their own business ~ and reading aloud is a great thing ~ it's actually somewhat calming.

Re: My Neighbor Thinks I'm Strange

Trinity11 — Wed, 28 Sep 2016 17:35:48 GMT

Life is short. If you enjoy reading aloud to these kitties...then make no apologies. You're on your own property and are not breaking the law.

Don't worry about what the neighbor gossips about you. Most people realize if they gossip about you, they will likely do the same about them....

Re: My Neighbor Thinks I'm Strange

bri20 — Wed, 28 Sep 2016 17:37:32 GMT

If you enjoy doing that, why would you worry about what others think about it?

I do not like gossipy people. I avoid them.

Re: My Neighbor Thinks I'm Strange

Laura14 — Wed, 28 Sep 2016 17:38:31 GMT

Being different and unique is the goal of every human. Congratulations on reaching it and I sincerely mean that!

Never ever care what other people think of you. Trust me, they have better things they need to be doing and you can tell them I said that.

And if you absolutely feel you need a cover story, then I offer that you are an actress practicing for your breathtaking remake of 1001 Dalmations now being remade with Cats. Morgan Freeman is even doing the movie trailer voiceover and everything.

Re: My Neighbor Thinks I'm Strange

Mz iMac — Wed, 28 Sep 2016 17:40:10 GMT

@SharkE

I'm ~~stealing~~ borrowing that one.

Re: My Neighbor Thinks I'm Strange

ChynnaBlue — Wed, 28 Sep 2016 17:40:53 GMT

Everyone thinks someone else is strange and I don't worry about it unless the person might be ill or a danger to him/herself or others.

Sounds like you might be lonely, and that's not strange, that's the most commonplace thing of all.

You might find this story on children reading to shelter animals very interesting: http://www.hsmo.org/education/shelter-buddies-reading.html

Lastly, are those feral cats spayed or neutered? If not, everyone involved would be better off if you took the cats a clinic on a free spay/neuter day instead than reading to them. After that, read to them all you want - there's absolutely nothing wrong with that. If you can't get them spayed/neutered, contact a rescue group who may be able to help. I'm a lot more concerned with that issue than I am about anyone reading to animals.

Re: My Neighbor Thinks I'm Strange

occasionalrain — Wed, 28 Sep 2016 17:42:24 GMT

I have never cared what others think of me. I care only what I think of myself. I posted this because I thought her reaction amusing.

Re: My Neighbor Thinks I'm Strange

dex — Wed, 28 Sep 2016 17:43:45 GMT

@occasionalrain I don't think there is anything wrong or odd sbout what you are doing and anyhow let the neighbors talk if they choose.If they are talking about you then that means you are interesting.i used to talk to my dog all of the time and after awhile she new exactly what I was saying.People were always amazed at how much she understood.I used to get her to sing happy birthday to all friends and family and they loved it....of course she sang it in dog language but it was cute.

Re: My Neighbor Thinks I'm Strange

esmeesmerelda — Wed, 28 Sep 2016 17:48:17 GMT

@Trinity11 wrote:
Life is short. If you enjoy reading aloud to these kitties...then make no apologies. You're on your own property and are not breaking the law.

Don't worry about what the neighbor gossips about you. Most people realize if they gossip about you, they will likely do the same about them....

The part in bold........ wisdom. I think about that every time I see people gossiping on chat boards lol.

Re: My Neighbor Thinks I'm Strange

Moonchilde — Wed, 28 Sep 2016 17:52:23 GMT

People are either animal lovers, and understand the feelings we have for animals, or they don't. Your animal-loving neighbors will "get it" and the others won't - and I wouldn't care a jot about the reaction of those that don t.

Re: My Neighbor Thinks I'm Strange

Nightowlz — Wed, 28 Sep 2016 17:51:59 GMT

If you want to read to the cat read to the cats. No big deal.

My neighbor talks to himself all the time. He has OCD. Once he wanted to put his trash can back up but the trash had not been picked up yet. He kept opening the lid & saying well they have not picked up the trash yet. He also looks in his mailbox several times after getting the mail out. He checks the door locks in his car several times & has to park in the drive straight etc.

Re: My Neighbor Thinks I'm Strange

occasionalrain — Wed, 28 Sep 2016 17:55:54 GMT

I don't read to them because I enjoy it, I do it because they seem to enjoy it. I wonder if to them it's what their purring is to us.

I have friends, family, and a job; I'm not lonely.

I have no concern about being scratched.

I rather like giving the neighbors something to talk about.

Re: My Neighbor Thinks I'm Strange

Jacie — Wed, 28 Sep 2016 17:57:35 GMT

I love the fact that you read to cats!

I sing to mine!

However, there are two things they totally don't understand: singing or the wearing of hats! LOL!

Re: My Neighbor Thinks I'm Strange

MalteseMomma — Wed, 28 Sep 2016 18:10:19 GMT

@occasionalrain wrote:
I have never cared what others think of me. I care only what I think of myself. I posted this because I thought her reaction amusing.

Best post I have ever seen on the Q boards!!!! 10 stars

I agree!!!! I speak to "my" birds that I feed everyday! They are mine,they know me and they understand what I say to them <3 I picture my birds leading my way to heaven when it is my "time" ..................

I am NOT lonely,I have a large family (my son is mayor of our town) I am not crazy, I am in love with nature and the birds tht visit my feeder and you know what ???? I know they love me too

Re: My Neighbor Thinks I'm Strange

occasionalrain — Wed, 28 Sep 2016 18:03:08 GMT

Female cats do their form of singing when they're in heat to attract males. Perhaps they assume the same about you.

Re: My Neighbor Thinks I'm Strange

Imadickens — Wed, 28 Sep 2016 18:07:02 GMT

Who cares? Unless you read very loudly, it's nobody's business! God wants us to care for all creatures great, and small! If the cats didn't enjoy it they wouldn't stay! I say as long as you and the cats are happy don't worry about what old part poopers think! I have dogs, can you recommend any good books for them?

Re: My Neighbor Thinks I'm Strange

Nightowlz — Wed, 28 Sep 2016 18:07:33 GMT

@occasionalrain wrote:
I don't read to them because I enjoy it, I do it because they seem to enjoy it. I wonder if to them it's what their purring is to us.

I have friends, family, and a job; I'm not lonely.
I have no concern about being scratched.
I rather like giving the neighbors something to talk about.

@occasionalrain Only thing about those stray cats is when one has kittens & takes off & leaves them. That's what happened to us. I was feeding a stray female cat that took off & left 2 kittens in the shed next door. They were handed to us over the fence since they were going to take them to the pound. I had to get online to research to see how to feed them. I bought bottles & formula to feed them with. Took them to the vet when they were old enough for their 1st shots. After all that I had to find homes for them. I'm pretty sure I'm allergic to all the cat hair.

My dad has a couple cats & a dog. Last time I visited his house I came home with a really bad sinus infection & had yo go to the minor emergency clinic. I think it was from the cat hair.