How cats smile. Who is the Cheshire Cat? How dogs smile

"And what are these sounds, over there" - asked Alice, nodding at a very secluded thicket of some pretty vegetation at the edge of the garden.
“And these are miracles,” the Cheshire Cat explained indifferently.
"And .. And what are they doing there" - asked the girl, inevitably blushing.
“As expected,” the cat yawned. - Happens "...

So who is this - the Cheshire cat?

The Cheshire Cat (also Shrovetide Cat in translation by V. Nabokov) is a character in the book by Lewis Carroll "Alice in Wonderland". A constantly grinning cat that knows how to on their own gradually dissolve in the air, leaving only a smile at parting. Alice is occupied not only with her amusing conversations, but also with sometimes overly annoying philosophical fabrications.

The only character who is a "fellow countryman" of the author is a native of Cheshire.

In the original version of Lewis Carroll's book, the Cheshire Cat was absent as such. It appeared only in 1865. In those days, the expression "smiles like a Cheshire cat" was often used. There are various versions of the origin of this saying. Here are two of them.

In Cheshire, where Carroll was born, a hitherto unknown house painter painted grinning cats over tavern doors. Historically, these were grinning lions (or leopards), but in Cheshire, few people saw lions.

In the second explanation (Notes and Queries, No. 55, Nov. 16, 1850), it is said that the famous Cheshire cheeses, which have a history of more than nine centuries, were once given the look of smiling cats.

In The Book of Fictional Creatures, under The Cheshire Cat and the Killkenny Cats, Borges writes:
IN english language there is the expression "grin like a Cheshire cat" (grin sardonically like a Cheshire cat). Various explanations are offered. One is that they sold cheeses in Cheshire that looked like the head of a smiling cat. Second, that even the cats laughed at the high rank of the small county of Cheshire. Another thing is that during the reign of Richard III, the forester Katerling lived in Cheshire, who, when he caught poachers, grinned viciously.

There is also information that when creating the image of the Cat, Carroll allegedly was inspired by carved wooden ornaments in the church of the village of Croft in the north-east of England, where his father served as a pastor; and also that in one of the cities of the county of Cheshire there was a legend about the appearing and disappearing ghost of a cat.

"And what are these sounds, over there" - asked Alice, nodding at a very secluded thicket of some pretty vegetation at the edge of the garden.
“And these are miracles,” the Cheshire Cat explained indifferently.
"And .. And what are they doing there" - asked the girl, inevitably blushing.
“As expected,” the cat yawned. - Happens "...

Can you disappear and appear less suddenly? And then my head is spinning.
- Ok, - said the Cat and disappeared - this time very slowly. The tip of his tail disappeared first, and the smile last; she hovered in the air for a long time when everything else was gone.
- Y-yes! Thought Alice. - I saw cats without a smile, but a smile without a cat! I have never met this in my life.

Cheshire Cat: Being serious about anything in this world is a fatal mistake.
Alice: Is life serious?
Cheshire Cat: Oh yes, life is serious! But not really ...

You see, this still cannot be avoided, - said the Cat, - because we are all crazy here. I'm crazy. You're crazy…

Why do you know I'm crazy? - asked Alice.
- Because you are here, - said the Cat simply, - otherwise you would not have got here.

Any road begins with the first step: corny, but true. Even here.

At times in her madness I see glimpses of real talent.

It's better to know where you are going than to wander where you are

Talking about bloodshed at the table ruins my appetite.

How do you understand?
- You don't have to understand me. Be sure to love and feed on time.

Whoever says there is nothing better for calming the nerves than a cup of tea, have not actually tried real tea. It's like a shot of adrenaline right in the heart.

Did you know that cats can smile? Yes, yes, smile, laugh, think, and sometimes even talk to us. We sometimes do not notice anything interesting and informative for ourselves in these "Meows", we think that they have either an empty stomach again or a complete tryndet of the mating season. Have you ever tried to look into the eyes of your cat and see deep thoughts in them? You will, of course, say that you have looked cats in the eyes many times ... but how did you look: “Get your little paw, what lovely eyes we have, what a pretty nose we have, usipusi ...” And so on. Etc. You have never looked a cat in the eye seriously! And he, by the way, looks at you with all the seriousness of his feline soul. And when you let him in the eyes here "Utyput", he thinks about you far from "utyputi" thoughts. So I can talk to my cat for hours. Don't think I'm not crazy. I just love my animal madly, he is a member of my family, and I treat him with all the respect, like everyone else. Why not find out how his day went or tell him about yours? This usually happens in the evenings when I go to bed and start my post-work and pre-sleep rest. He sits down on my chest and looks into my eyes, looks and, as if asking: "Mommy, how was your day?" Yes, yes, you heard right, it was mommy. Your cats probably call you that too, you just take it for the usual "Meow Meow". But if you listen, you can hear Ma-Ma instead of the usual meow. So, what about conversations ... I tell him about my day, events, thoughts. If something upset me, then my cat changes his mind to understanding and encouraging. Sometimes he can meow and wrinkle his hand with a paw. So he expresses love and complete understanding with me. If I tell something funny, he begins to purr and with all his feline facial expressions tries to smile, and his look becomes so mischievous, perky. After my story is finished, I am of course interested in his daytime life. He usually sleeps all day. I recognize this, again, by his look. He looks at me with half-open eyes and yawns. And if his usual way of life was interrupted by some event, for example, he was playing with a fly, or he tore some of his old toys in furniture skyscrapers, my cat either comes up to his trophy and with his paw, as it were, points out: “Here, mother, look, what a wonderful little thing I have found ”, or begins to turn circles around the apartment, showing with all his appearance that the day has turned out to be hyperactive. Then he flops down on my chest again and chews on the blanket. Why is he chewing on the blanket? Hmm ... he probably just likes it.
As for the cat's seriousness ...
Usually on especially calm days (mostly these days are my weekends, when the cat can relax and calm down that not alone), he goes out onto the balcony, sits in front of the window and looks ... looks into the distance, peering at every little thing that happens outside the window, or maybe his gaze rushes to the sky, and freezes for a long time in observation of the running clouds. At this moment, in his eyes, I see signs of a deep thought process, sometimes I even think that if cats knew how to speak human language, our world would still be discovered by many philosophers.
By the way, mind you, I am nowhere talking about cats (about the beautiful half of the feline species), namely about cats, real courageous cats. Cats are much dumber by their feminine nature. Yes, they are proud, graceful, arrogant, but there is no wisdom in them, only in rare exceptions. And all this pride and arrogance passes with the onset of spring, or with the onset of hunger. And cats, cats always remain cats, courageous, unshakable, sometimes a childlike spontaneity wakes up in them, such a plush and soft complaisance that, in principle, is inherent in sages, all philosophers are children at heart.
So, about wisdom ...
I go out onto the balcony, light a cigarette, and start a conversation with the cat about the frailty of life and other frailty. I ask: "What are you thinking, purr?"
He turns around and catches me with a look that I involuntarily begin to catch his thoughts, as if he is transmitting his mental pictures telepathically. As if he is telling me: “You know, mom, here I’m looking at the world, and there is vanity, worries, a frantic pace of life, people do not have time to think about the beautiful and perfect ... they don’t have that cat tolerance, depth of feelings, the ability to stop for a moment and look into the very center of your being ... "Yes, my cat, you are undoubtedly right. We are always in a hurry somewhere, cats, on the contrary, prefer to move through life measuredly and in small steps. We forget about the importance of thought, about the need for thought ... yes, we still lack cat tolerance, and sometimes wisdom ...
And cats also love music. Moreover, they have a taste, and each has its own, just like people. My cat loves rock. Perhaps my tastes influenced him, because he was used to listening to him from childhood. He even has a favorite song and a favorite band. It is worth turning on the player with his song, and giving him an earpiece, he immediately closes his eyes and begins to purr to the beat of the music, it's amazing, but it's a fact. As soon as something not pleasing to his ear comes from the earpiece, he covers the earpiece with his paw, as if to say, shut up these screams. My plush rocker is very fond of the guitar, especially when I play it. On weekends in the evenings, we have a lyrical mood and we want live sound. I pick up the guitar, the cat settles down right on the lap by the body, or just sits down next to me, pressing against me, and we start. Since we have the same taste, he likes almost everything that I play. I run along the strings, humming another song. The cat hums quietly with me. Usually, our meow-singing concert ends with the traditional singing of our favorite cat song. We clap our paws together and disperse.
Why do I still single out cats? No dogs, no rabbits, no other living creatures; Probably because the cats have gathered a particle from each type of domestic animal, and not only domestic one. Let's say why dogs are considered the faithful companions of man? Cats can also be faithful friends and companions, it all depends on people, on their attitude to their animal. Dogs never bite the paw that feeds them, whatever the paw may be, and those who try to go against humanity and show their character end up either in the trash, or ... you know where. And that's all the friendship ... She is faithful to you to the depths of her dog's soul, and you are her for certain death. This, in fact, is the dog's stupidity. Be loyal even when you are betrayed. And the cats? Cats know how to be offended, to show that you did not like them, even to naughty and shit in revenge. Remember - if the cat is naughty, then you are doing something wrong. In general, they have a sense of their own dignity, and this brings them closer to the human species. Sometimes people have less of this dignity than cats!
As for wild habits ...
A cat is still an animal, no matter how you say it. Even if it was domesticated, it was originally wild. Wild qualities are inherent in them, they are a combined hodgepodge of the entire wild world hidden under a shell of homemade whiteness and fluffiness. They have the gracefulness of a panther, the agility of a lynx, the temper of a tiger ... Our domestic savages hunt no worse than their relatives in the jungle. Only they now hunt not in search of food, but in search of entertainment. Note that mostly cats, having caught a bird or a mouse, are in no hurry to eat it, they first play with the victim, and then throw it out in vain, like "Why do we have any nasty things if we are not badly fed anyway." But what about street cats, you ask. Street cats are fighting for their existence, trying to feed themselves in the urban jungle. So they are much closer to their wild ancestors than domestic lazy people.
About laziness ...
Our fluffy lumps are simply forced to suffer from laziness, but we limit them to four walls and a small balcony. The apartment is not a forest, you can't really roam in it. They, of course, find entertainment in the form of balls, plastic mice, but this quickly gets boring. Agree, if you had to see the same object every day, and use only it every day, you would go crazy! Although ... I forgot about today's youth, they disappear all day at this computer ... but oh well. In general, cats, therefore, sleep almost all day, and this is not laziness, but a forced everyday state. Oh yes, they are still philosophizing at the window, talking to you in the evenings, singing with a guitar, in the end, eating; Well, how can you not get tired ?!
About food...
How they eat, whole stories can be written about it! Although it is possible that there is nothing unusual in this, but if you observe it, then this is a whole ritual. Well, they are just like little woolen people! They are just as picky about food, and they will not eat anything. Actually, why should they eat everything they are given? They also have their own preferences and dislikes! Even when the cat is hungry, he may not eat what you gave him. And all because he considers it not tasty, or simply he is allergic to it. Cats are also gourmets and aesthetes. They may not pay attention to food if it is not in a nice bowl, or simply that it is not what they would like. So they are just being capricious. They need time to understand that this is what they want and that it is delicious, because they will not be given anything else. Like any soul, they want whims, they are thinkers, and they, as I said above ... yes, yes, exactly, in their souls are children.
Children…
Here is the horror flying on the wings of love for all living things. Cats are not very fond of children, although they do not show it. They stay above their fears and prejudices. They are ready to be crushed in the arms of some little princess or to be dragged by the tail by a young naturalist, they can, of course, hide or shy, but they will never do harm to their little tormentors. They can, of course, scratch, but this is also accidental. When you are twisted around your axis, you instinctively start looking for something to cling to. In general, as they say, a cat will not offend a child.
Oh ... I’ve gotten out of hand. I just wanted to tell you that cats can smile, but I have already reached the children. I completely forgot about my Cheshire philosopher. I'll go and ask how he is doing.
Smile at your cats more often, but remember: if your cat smiles mysteriously in the morning, it is better not to wear slippers! \u003d)
My dear, kys-kys-kys ...

Many people argue about whether cats and dogs can smile? The answer is simple: of course they can! They just do it not like people, but in their own way. Learning to understand domestic cats.

How cats smile.

1. Meowing. While meowing can sometimes be a sign of stress or a demand for something, very often it can be a cat's way of expressing its joy. smile. The higher the tone of the meow, the happier cat... Low pitch is usually a sign of irritation.

2. The tail. This part of the animal's body is an excellent indicator of its emotional state... If the cat's tail is, as they say, "pipe", then she is completely satisfied and happy. Often, it is toys for cats that give cats joy and pleasant emotions. It is imperative to play outdoor games with a cat every day.

3. Purr. It is one of the most basic communication methods for cats. If the tone of the purr is even and smooth, she is happy. This is especially expressed when the animal eats something tasty.

4. Ears. If the ears of the cat are pushed up slightly forward, then it is in a great mood.

5. Belly. If the animal lies on its back with its belly up, then it is pleasant, warm and comfortable. This is a very expressive way to show your smile.

How dogs smile.

1. Mouth and tongue. Dogs, unlike cats, can smile with their mouths. If the corners of her mouth are turned up, this is a sign of relaxation and joy. The tongue hanging loosely from the half-open mouth of the animal also indicates the excellent mood of the dog.

2. The tail. The classic sign of a happy dog \u200b\u200bis tail wagging. The wagging of the tail in different directions eloquently indicates that the animal is happy and in a peaceful mood. However, if the movements of the tail are sharp and rigid, this may indicate anxiety or fear of the animal.

3. Another evidence of excellent mood and joy in the dog is rolling on the ground from one side to another.

Interest Ask. A happy, blurry cat is the exception rather than the rule. Always mustachioed-striped pets are dissatisfied with something, always a disgusting, arrogant expression slips on their fluffy faces. In this regard, dogs are reputed to be more companionable and friendly creatures: for them happiness when the owner is near. Are you offended by me now, dear fellow cat lovers? And our favorites can really look contented, happy, in a word, smiling? Let's figure it out!

Can cats smile? At least the way their sworn friends - dogs do it? We recently discussed how and why our four-legged friends laugh. Alas, there is nothing to please you: purely in physical terms, cats are not capable of "smiles".

Some people will now rush to prove the opposite, claiming that they have seen a smile on the face of their pet many times. No again! We just love to humanize pets, endowing them with non-existent qualities. In its "pure" form, a smile is still an emotion that cats cannot control.

British scientist, cat behavior specialist Nicky Trevorrow believes that in the process of evolution, cats themselves "raised" themselves to be cold creatures devoid of any emotions. This quality helped them to survive, to occupy their niche in the wild. No sentiment!

But it's not all that bad: our domestic cats communicate well with their owners through their own body language. The purr also has its own kind of analogue of a smile, it is usually called "covering the eyes". Look at your pet. They like to blissfully squint their eyes, leaving little slits? This is the very “smile” we are talking about - now your cat is quite happy with her life. Lightly stroke, scratch behind the ears, under the chin - and it will immediately become clear what we mean.

Your cat is purring. This means that the animal is relaxed, in a state of happiness and complete rest. Life is good and life is good. Matches the definition of "smile"? We would certainly smile!

The position of the ears. When they are facing slightly forward, this is also a sure sign of feline peace.

Tail position. Pay more attention to the tail! A quivering cat's tail walking from side to side indicates anxiety and distress. On the contrary, a relaxed tail is a sign of contentment and peace.

Tummy. Does your pet love to roll over and show its tummy? Congratulations - this is highest degree expressions of feline trust. The tummy is the most vulnerable place of the cat, it is here that the enemy seeks to strike. So now judge for yourself! Some cats don't even mind at all if the owners scratch and stroke their tummy. Like it or not, but during such a pleasant procedure, you will smile with your mouth!

Nothing superfluous: this is love!

Photo: animalsfoto.com (from open sources).

Cats are perhaps the cutest creatures on the planet. Although they sometimes do not behave the way we would like, but with just one look at their cute face, we are ready to forgive them a lot. The entire phone is littered with photos of the fluffy handsome, but it's a pity to delete them. When you feel bad, they are always there. They will listen to all your worries, let you touch their soft fur and lie down on the place that hurts. Photographs of cats have been shown to improve mood and well-being. Therefore, we present to your attention a selection of smiling cats. This should definitely not leave anyone indifferent and will make you smile at least once.

When you persuade the owner to give you a treat and make the most cute face. Well, how can you resist in front of such a sweetheart?

Spring has come, which means it's time to go outside, breathe in the fresh air deeply and enjoy the fact that nature blooms after a long hibernation. And, of course, invite Murka from the next door to a bowl of milk.

This is a cat that always smiles. Absolutely. Even when not smiling.

The cat winks at you because he sees how sad you are sitting in front of the screen. It's a sin not to smile at such a sweetheart.

He shows you his tongue not because he tricked you, but because he wants to lick. Place your finger on the supporter and feel the roughness of the tongue.

It's easy to live when you know that you are the best. You lie in the sun, warm yourself, in a word, the life we \u200b\u200ball dream of.

Did you know that cats love jokes? Now you know.

When he mischievous, and the owner does not know it yet.

When the weather is good outside, the mood immediately becomes noticeably better. Twice as much you want to run, jump and make funny faces for the camera.


Have you already scratched your cat's belly? If not, what are you waiting for? Puziko won't scratch itself.

The owner is the dearest thing a cat has. How pleasant it is to lie on your face and give warmth to your loved one. And he, in turn, has to not move, because the cat can take offense and leave.

Cats also have important issues to deal with. For example, eat and then sleep, or vice versa?

One mustache is good, but two mustache is twice as good! The mustache adds confidence and charisma. Although, with the charisma of cats, and so everything is in order.

A smile is the best weapon. Smile at life and it will smile at you.

The owner came home and the cat hopes that he bought his favorite snacks.

Everyone loves flowers, even cats. Make your pets happy.

This kitty looks at you flirtingly. Oh, and it's not casual that she has such an expression, not casual ...


The day is drawing to a close, it's time to go to bed. Get up early again tomorrow and entertain your master.

They came to visit important people and you need to look with a butterfly, even though it is very tight. Well, it can't be helped. They are greeted by clothes after all.

Who again told the cat a funny anecdote? He's been laughing for an hour! And, naturally, at 3 am.

It's sweet to wake up with the thought that you are a cat and you don't need to get up in the morning and go to work.

Caution! A cat is flying to you. Urgently catch him in your arms and treat him to a delicious treat.


The cat waves his paw goodbye and wishes to never lose heart!

People who smile often are less susceptible to many diseases, live longer and always succeed. Communication with four-legged furries makes us calmer, kinder. This is exactly what you need after a hard day at work. When a cat meets you after work or study, it immediately cheers you up and makes you forget about all your worries. Therefore, you need to look more often at photos of cats, visit friends who have cats, buy T-shirts with cats and mugs. After that, you will become immortal. But it is not exactly.

Attention, only TODAY!