I read a story in the National Post (the main Canadian national newspaper) about a state prison in Indiana that allows criminals to adopt cats as a reward for good behaviour. It was a very interesting read and I tend to think it’s a good thing. It would probably foster empathy for other living creatures in the lonely prisoners. Two quotes rom the article I liked were “These guys are hard-core criminals. And when a cat comes up and rubs against them, you see the baby in them. They lose the hard shell and everybody’s a whole person again.” and “One burly prisoner nicknamed Bull cried the day he was transferred out of Indiana state prison. He could not take his cat of 15 years, Catrick, to the new facility.”
I am definitely a cat person. I have gotten really confrontational in the past when being cracked on because of this.. it was by my pizza boy connection if anyone read that post. He was implying I was feminine because I prefer cats.
Anyway, I really miss my cat, Mango. He was a beautiful orange medium to long haired cat with a big bushy white beard with extra large white paws. Since I knew getting a cat was a major commitment, picking him out was a time consuming, week long process of visiting pet stores all over the city and playing with and touching kittens. I wanted him because he was so enthusiastic at the pet store and gorgeous. I was cohabiting at the time and Mango had a clear preference for me over my girlfriend. I think it is because she was a little too rough with him and pursued him too much. Mango would let me rub his belly but would scratch and bite her if she tried. I think he appreciated my more laid back approach and gentle touch.
We had a little ritual at night, after I would shower and lie down he would come and hop onto my chest and knead it with his paws, purring loudly as I pet him (until the gf would get jealous and push him away). I’ve noticed cats in households with kids tend to withdraw and become introverted, probably because the kids provide much more attention than a cat wants. Mango maintained a very outgoing, excitable personality well into adulthood…… and then he was run over on a narrow street where everyone speeds. Now as a memorial to Mango, driving down this street I will go EXACTLY the speed limit when I am on it. Traffic backs up and I know everyone gets major road rage (it’s one lane) but I don’t care. It is a residential neighbourhood and Mango would approve.
2025 me here: I think there was probably a picture of Mango and me here. He was a great cat.
The Ancient Undergrad 
Wait, so Snoop Dogg is a cutie pie, or Aesop Rock? I know what my answer would be.Dogs are the best EVER!!! If you saw my dog Kramaer, it’d totally make you a dog person. It’s sad really. We’ll have to put him down soon. He’s really really sick, but definitely amazing. ❤ ❤ <3http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v210/Meghantothemax/Img_0302.jpg
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Well, I thought it’d be a good idea to give you the option incase you have a skewed taste in men. Aesop Rock is definitely a cutie pie though. He is the second picture, yes.
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I love cats. I have three. Mango is the cutest name!:)Alix
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I have always had dogs. My first cat i got when i was in highschool and i haven’t been able to live without one since. In fact my first cat was orange stripped…. I named him Murry. But we (the family) always called him Murr-cat. Cause of his purring sounded more like a motor boat.
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That’s a really nice thing about the people in jail being able to get a cat.
Hehe my cat used to knead my lap or bed when she was young. I don’t know if she still does it.
I’m sorry you lost your cat that way 😦 we try to keep ours out of the street because of all the crazy drivers. But our cat is really dumb, and has slept in the gutter before!
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awwwwwwwww … that’s so sad!!i’ve heard of other women-only prisons where they use guide dog training as part of the skill-training programs. saw it on ‘dogs with jobs’ on life network i think …
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Since my landlords don’t allow pets, my cat has lived with my parents for the past few years. I miss her.
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I think it’s sexy when a man is a cat person. Shows a certain measure of security.
Your cat looks like mine in reverse.
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^ agreedYour cat sounded sweet, hope you can start over with a new pet eventually. I’ve been missing my hedgehogs that I haven’t had since early high school lately. I love the idea of cats for prisoners, assuming it’s closely monitored.
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“Can-opener!….” I definitely said it with a Mexican accent so good call. I’m a hermit crab kinda gal myself. I don’t like animals that require any feeding or cleaning (which is funny because when I had Pedro [my hermit crab] I was psychotic about keepinghim clean and well-fed and listening to good music. He really liked New Order, so did my unofficial pet spider, Cecil, here in Korea, but Cecil preferred INXS to everything). Last night, it took me about twenty minutes to settle on “getting ready music,” I had to change the CD like ten times, and you know what I finally settled on? Of all things? Cake- prolonging the magic, I think, and I really got distracted in the shower when they were seeing that song about where your fingers go when you’re sleeping, because I’m pretty sure mine are… Anyway, advice for the day: Never take out contacts after slicing spicy red peppers. The next morning will be a bitch and a half, and after three consecutive days of the same error, you’ll have to go to school in your librarian glasses.
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awww….. *tear*
You can take a digipic of the photo. that should work.
awww…..
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