Tones and Tickles

This week I was really paying attention to Simba's purr. I am interested in identifying if Simba has different tones in his purr for the different interactions I have with him.

On the second day of observing and writing my field notes, I noticed that Simba has a very soft, calm, and quiet purr when I'm petting him. I'll rub behind his ears where he loves being petted and he jumps into my hand asking for more. His reactions are different to any other cat I have had before.

The second tone I have observed is when I'm playing with him. He makes this really aggressive type of tone. The tone is like a growling purr. When I play with Simba he will wrap his tiny paws around my arm with his sharp talons out and he bites me. He will then let out a little rough purr. I know by this that it's on. He gets very riled up and and attacks me.

The tone of a cat's purr can do different things. The vibrations from the cat's purr can actually help with bone healing of humans. It is recommended to have a cat around when children are going through strengthening their bones. A cat's purr is a stress reduce for them selves and it relaxes them. It is said that in ancient times, people treated cats as divine beings. They believed cats had healing powers over humans. When a cat gives birth they give off a beautiful "music." And when a mother is nursing her kittens. (Falco)
If you want to know more go to this website:
http://naturesoundsfor.me/blog/cat-sounds-the-purring-symphony-that-can-heal-you/:

This week I have also noticed that Simba has a tickle spot. I never knew cats were ticklish. I was petting him and I started scratching his back. About four inches above his tail is where I saw his weird reaction. I tickled him by lightly putting my thumb on one side towards the top of his back and my pointer finger on the other side. Then I rapidly moved my fingers in circles and added pressure. His reaction is priceless. Simba gets up and his butt goes down while trying to walk. It reminds me of doing squats, but for cats.

He is a very mysterious cat and I never know what he is going to do next. I am excited to see what I will discover next week.

Work cited

Falco. "Cat sounds: The purring symphony that can heal you." The sound waves of nature. N.p. 22 Apr. 2010. Web. 26 Oct. 2014 

Purr

I have always thought a cats purr was fascinating. Cats don't just purr when they are happy. They purr with other emotions as well. They will purr when they have an injury or experienced a traumatic moment, even near death. There is even a theory that purring helps with pain. Finding this out it makes me wonder if Simba is in pain all the time or is he just happy. Other animals other then a cat that purr as well. There is about 15 species that purr, such as a Raccoon.
http://cats.about.com/cs/catmanagement101/a/why_cats_purr.htm 
Syufy, Franny. Why and How Do Cats Puff. About. N.p. n.d. Web. 19 Oct. 2014.

I found this video that will explain more on how cats purr.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eHZJrx7RZ2w

Simba is becoming more and more affectionate. Maybe he is be coming in heat. He has been laying on his sister and biting her neck and from years of having cats I know that's an intimate sign. I think that's gross so I pull him off her. Maybe she is the one in heat and he is reacting to her. I notice that he purrs really loud when he is being intimate with her. Maybe his purr is a way of showing affection. I'm planning on really listening to each time he purrs because maybe a cats purr has a different tone based on their mood or during a certain situation.

Work cited

Syufy, Franny. Why and How Do Cats Puff. About. N.p. n.d. Web. 19 Oct. 2014.

Changes

Simba has been changing more and more. He has become more affectionate towards me. And for the first time I heard his purr. It was so soft and gentle. My grandmother cut a lot of his hair off a couple weeks ago. His hair grew very quickly. He is so much cuter when he's fluffy.

Simba reminded me of when a toddler says his first word. Its a special moment that should not be missed. Simba is like my toddler. He is still learning how to grow up and be a cat. And I'm watching him progress everyday.

He recently has an urge to go outside. He has never went towards the front door before. He bolted out the door, on to the porch, and stopped. He froze and acted like he didn't know what to do next. A truck went by and Simba hissed at the truck, like it would scare the truck away. Then in a split second he turned around, whipping his claws out and running into the house. He ran straight to my room and hid under my bed.

Baby Simba

Simba was in my Grandmother's room when I went looking for him. He was nursing which is not suppose to be still happening. He is six months. How does Mama kitty still have milk? It makes me think that a part of us never grow up.-Field Notes 1 Oct 2014

Simba makes me realize that we shouldn't try and grow up so fast. Him nursing older then he should be is that example. I know a lot of people wanting to be 18 already. But as soon as 18 comes you are responsible for yourself. You pay bills and cook your own food. Being a young is the greatest thing you could be. Take a step back and enjoy being a kid.

Simba also has a favorite toy. Its very ironic because the toy is a lion puppet. He's so much like a dog. If you throw it to him, he will fetch it and bring it back to you. He will do that process over and over again.