Hi, I’m Christopher! Read my introduction to learn more about me and my silly Russian Blue cat, Olga.
Before a friend gave me a Siamese cat a few years ago, I knew very little about them and had no idea how powerful they were. I have met some people who think they are meaner and more mischievous than other races, which is not accurate, but I don’t think they have formed their opinions from their personal experiences.
Cartoon Animals
When they were kids, they probably watched Lady and the Tramp and did not appreciate how Am and Si treat the dogs. Movies and television programs influence us more than we care to admit, and Disney, in particular, has had a profound effect on our understanding of animals.
The writers and producers have good intentions, and it’s not their fault that we make assumptions based on the actions of animated cats and dogs. Some blame 101 Dalmatians for the rise of overbreeding and deafness in Dalmatians, but the film does not contain subliminal messages encouraging everyone to adopt and mistreat a high-energy breed.
Making Siamese look like manipulative fiends or portraying Dalmatians as pets that can be owned by any family doesn’t bother me. Cartoonists and writers have artistic license to exaggerate; they are not bound by breed standards or veterinary evidence. However, I don’t like watching live-action movies with cats drinking milk.
Milk and Hollywood Cats
Most cats are lactose intolerant, but characters who find or rescue cats often give them milk even in shows and movies today. I understand that this is a staple in most homes, and unprepared, new owners are unlikely to have cat food. Because of the fat and protein, cats usually like to drink milk until they have an upset stomach or diarrhea.
Since most cats don’t get seriously ill from milk, they’re better off drinking it at the movies than eating garlic bread or a bowl of raisins. Olga is not interested in dairy products and would not mind a bowl of milk if she escaped and was saved by a thoughtful neighbor. He can be affectionate and playful but also exhibits stereotypical “bad cat” behavior in movies.
Olga’s Similarity to the Church
If he resurrected like the Church in Pet Sematary, Olga would probably throw a dead rat in my bathtub. Although Church, played by seven cats, is a British Shorthair, he is one of the few movie cats who bears a striking resemblance to Olga. When he enters the movie, he remembers me. Olga only sneaks up on me when I come back from a trip, and I feel honored that I’m the only one who sees her scary side.
He likes to hide in the dark, surprise me with quick attacks, and hover over me when I sleep late, like the fictional cats in the movies. He makes the stereotypes more reasonable but more manipulative and violent than my Siamese cat. Although Olga would make a great horror film cat, she doesn’t enjoy hanging out with strange people or filming away from home.
Movies and television shows portray cats as mean, crazy, playful, apathetic, and ignorant, which isn’t a problem, but I’m surprised at how many people believe what they see on a screen.
This article is part of a series by Christopher and Olga.
