once i learned there was such a thing as petting, i was all for it.  i love to be petted.  i love to curl up next to my gal so she can run her hands down my back and tickle my chin.  when i’m really feeling it, i even let her rub my tummy.  there are days, though, when i don’t wish to be touched, and i’ve taught my gal which days are which with a growl and a swat.

but let’s put this in perspective:  i’m a cat.  in the human world, when one human tries to pet another human, there had better be an agreement between the two that petting is ok.  humans who touch without permission are abusing their power over other humans.  humans who believe they can take what they want from another human are bad.  it’s wrong to think that the rights, dignity, body, innocence, and future of one human are subject to the desires, lust and needs of another.  it makes me hiss and spit to read about all these men who have abused women and children simply because they can.  in my world, a tom has to ask permission of a queen before he can even speak to her.  if she tells him to back off and he doesn’t listen, she will rip into him with claws and teeth and teach him what “no thank you” means.  you know what else happens to toms that can’t keep it zipped?  they get neutered, that’s what.  Purr, y’all.