Arlo and Janis by Jimmy Johnson for October 06, 2012

Oh, how quickly we forget our siblings when they leave home.

They say cats have a memory span of just three minutes. If you believe this, just turn on the electric can opener and stand back.

I don’t know if one would call it memory or “conditioned reflexes.” We’ve been feeding 6 feral cats all summer. Over time they have learned that it’s feeding time when they hear the lock on the gate open. Now is that memory?

I have seen way too many cats react to items or events with an obvious recognition to think they don’t have long term memories. I won’t bore you all, but there is definitely evidence out there.

I don’t think they bother to remember people’s names, though.

“It’s all about me.”

People who don’t think cats have long term memories haven’t experienced the reaction when the cat carrier is brought out for the annual trip to the vet.

Does Luddie have to know the provenance of the food before he’ll touch it?

M boy had chemo every three days and always knew when it was time. He acted normal until the morning of and then hid under the bed. When they extended it to once a week, after the first week, he adjusted to again only hiding the morning of. There were other indicators, but that was the most striking.

My 2nd son can’t wait til my oldest moves out next year so he can take his room. I am not looking forward to the change, it seems like he just started walking yesterday.

AKA “My lap” on occasion.

She looked interested in the first frame but att he end she must think he is all wet

Many is the time when, as I’ve talked to my cat about was going on, in detail, as if I were talking to a human, I have felt like my cat was understanding everything I was saying….Kinda spooky……One time I came home and jokingly asked why she hadn’t brought any mice up lately. I kinda went on and on, just riffing on the theme, but she took it seriously. She crouched and looked ashamed…I have never felt worse in my life…We did make up….I don’t know if it was the way I was saying things, or the timber of my voice, but she had gotten the message…..

I think Ludwig remembers Gene.

Ludwig slept at Gene’s feet his whole life. He knows who he is, and remembers him.