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CHINA — I grew up with outdoor cats that walked the line between feral and friendly. Sure, they'd come in and snuggle with us, now and then. But they were like Robert Redford's character from "Out of Africa" — wild at heart and fueled by adventure. They refused to be tied down by what society expected them to be.
The king of these wild cats was Frosty. I found him when he just a kitten, shivering in the cold at the Christmas tree farm near my house. His paws were frostbitten, and he probably wouldn't have survived long if my parents hadn't allowed me to bring him home.
Frosty recovered from this rough start and became the kind of cat that would always sit on your lap when you were feeling sick, sad or lonely. But when he wasn't warming your heart, he was outside living the life of a brawler. Frosty had no problem mixing it up with the Doberman down the street. Ditto for every skunk that came near our house. And he caught all the mice and gophers within city limits.
If Frosty ever felt the relationship you were building with him might threaten his independence, he'd break free for a week or two. We wouldn't see him at all during these times, but I just assumed he was hunting moose above the timberline.
Given my experience with wild cats, I'm mystified by adorable pets that somehow permit their owners to dress them in costumes. Frosty never would've allowed it. But I think it's great that there are pets out there who are more ready for a committed relationship than my cats ever were.
For example, take the cat in this video.
This furball is obviously well cared for. And it appears to be completely devoted to its owner. But that doesn't mean it's a pushover. The Godzilla-inspired look it is sporting is totally awesome.
Even though Frosty came from a completely different world, I'm sure he would've begrudgingly respected this cat for its bold look.
Have You Seen This?
This bat boy may have just saved the Dodgers' season
If the Dodgers end up winning the Wold Series this year, batboy batboy Javier Herrera better get a ring. And a tribute video. And a raise. And a bonus. And everything else.
