Cats are much more intelligent than we give them credit for. For example, cats are fascinated by the concept of liminal states; that is, times and places when one thing is in the process of transitioning into another. This is the real reason why cats hesitate when we open doors for them. They want to savour that sublime moment when inside becomes outside, when warm becomes cold. Sadly, our crude primate intellects cannot appreciate the feline concepts of both and neither. In typical human thinking, something must always be one thing or another, and we become confused and upset when cats refuse to transition instantly and completely from one to the other. I think the world would be a better place if we could shed our simian preoccupation with extremes and absolutes. So next time, open your door, stand on the threshold for a moment, and free your mind.
Image: Simer Haer/The Cascade
