Exotic Shorthair Cat

　　People who have raised cats for a long time will understand that it is normal for cats not to obey commands. Unlike dogs, cats are not very obedient; they are very individualistic and self-centered. They do not especially listen to you just because you feed them and clean up after them every day.

　　Not obeying you does not mean they don’t like you. Cats express their emotions subtly; they won’t enthusiastically pounce on you or lick your face, nor will they wag their tails waiting for you to pet their heads. At most, they pretend to be indifferent while walking back and forth in front of you, which may seem annoying but is actually trying to get your attention! Or they might rub gently against your feet or lightly bite your hand – these are all signs of closeness. If you pay attention, you can feel their restrained and subtle affection and love.

　　Watching all kinds of dog competitions where dogs stand tall on the competition stage looking imposing, many people try to pose their own fat cats in a mighty stance. But after many attempts, all they get is a disdainful glance from the cat, which still lies limply on the floor, making people anxious. Later, I learned a new method and finally succeeded. Here I share how to pose cats for photos.

　　First, pick the cat up and place it on a small table, with its hind legs near the edge. Release your hold; because the cat fears falling, it will weaken its limbs and try to lie down. At this time, use one hand to support its chest or chin, and with the other hand gently pull the cat’s tail backward. Be careful not to pull only the tail hair to avoid causing pain. The hand supporting the chest also gently pushes backward to prevent the cat from sitting down. When the cat realizes its hind legs will lose support and stepping back would make it fall, it instinctively leans its body forward, stands upright, steps firmly with its front legs, tightens its toes, and presents a standard posture with all four limbs straight and head held high. Repeating this method many times will teach the cat, and later, even when standing on flat ground, if you pull the tail backward, the cat will reflexively pose in a beautiful standard stance.