Overboard by Chip Dunham for May 19, 2020

A cat is a cat is a cat is a…..

the ginger cat that owns us, loves to have head rubs, (not pats, rubs and strokes) and of course chin rubs.

Champion Aloof Cat, 2017-19

(And a strong favorite to be nominated again this year!)

I never met a cat that didn’t like a tickle behind the ear.

And maybe a tetanus shot, while you’re at it!!

We have two rescue cats. One of them is a Bombay. His name is Oscar. He looks like a mini panther. He had been a stray on the streets for two years but probably more according to the shelter where we got him. He picked me rather than me pick him. He loves to cuddle in my arms like an infant, he loves his head rubbed, and petted in general. He really likes his back massaged and enjoys being brushed. But he loves physical affection on his terms. If I try to do more than he wants he gets really cranky and can nip me. His fangs are so sharp and long. He had been abused and abandoned in the past. It took a while for him to realize that my wife and I love him and that our home is his forever home. It is a sad thing to see a cat crave physical affection yet be afraid to accept it because of trust issues and past abuse. But he has come a long way. My wife says that he is “Daddy’s boy” and he does prefer me over my wife. Our other cat is “Mommy’s girl” and acts like it. One thing that drive me nuts is that Oscar has an annoying habit of nibbling me. People tell me that it is a sign of affection. Maybe so but gee, I wish he’d find another way! :-)

It didn’t sound that weird. It would have sounded more weird if you said “This may sound weird, but Scratch, you ARE a mouse. Or, Scratch you ARE a tweetie bird, or Scratch, you ARE an elephant.”

I thought most cats like having their heads rubbed. I see from the comments from the crew that I was right. I guess Scratch is just weird.

I am a cat person and I have raised 3 into old age. One lived to 16, one to 18 and the last to 20. I have never liked Scratch and I miss the odd assortment of sea monsters who made occasional visits since Scratch took up residence.

Oh, good grief, enough already! This has become just an endless, tired recycling of every idiotic (and generally untrue) stereotype about cats. I love this strip, but the Scratch bit is a one-note gag that should’ve ended a very long time ago.

Ok…I love Scratch, I am glad he is in the strip!!!! It is fun to snicker at what cats do just like I smile when Louie does things. Cats are wonderful and do like to be petted (on their terms). If I pet too long, mine let me know!

“Cats have no sense of humor, they have terribly inflated egos, and they are very touchy.” Great quote by my favorite sci fi author. Tho, in my own experience, our cats have always been sweet, curious and affectionate.

Cat overboard!!!

Most cats devour mice. Scratch is very different.

Hello! His name is “SCRATCH”! What else would you expect?

Good morning Crew! I love dogs and cats, have had both my whole life. Sounds like cat haters don’t know “squat” about cats. I hope you don’t mistreat the dogs as well.

Nate is being tremendously forbearing.

Best to practice caution with Scratch around

Seems Scratch has sensory issues. But he is helping Nate with the wound, so it does seem to have been a reactive response, not deliberate.

They don’t call him Scratch for nuthin’.

Scratch didn’t know his instinct would react like that. At least he is trying to bandage Nate up.

Good evening, Crew!

Scratch has really worn out his welcome.

Ouch.

Good Evening, Crew.