Sunday, November 13, 2011

Curious Sleeping Habits

Dear Sammy,

I’ve been wondering something about people. Yes, I know, most things they do are strange, but my people have some very curious sleeping habits that have me wondering. Everyone knows sleep is a natural state, more natural than being awake. I know that people are not as good as it as we are, and they rarely take their, much needed, afternoon naps. Actually, my people only take one nap a week. That’s not my question. I know people are strange. What I’m wondering is why they need to use the television as a nap-aid. Every Sunday, when they sit down for their weekly nap, they need to put on the nap aid show in order to go to sleep. Sometimes it’s cars droning round and round, and sometimes it’s people throwing a ball back and forth. A few minutes into the show and they’re sound asleep.

They use this method at night sometimes, too, though then it’s usually someone droning on and on. What is so hard about falling asleep? We cats can do it at the drop of a hat, we don’t even need the hat.

It’s not really a problem, though we could be watching Animal Planet if we’re just going to sleep through it. I’m just curious, and want to know a little more about the people I let feed me.

Drowsy in Drum Forbay

Dear Drowsy,

Oh, to understand humans. There are cats who spend their whole waking lives devoted to the study, about two hours a day, and still we haven’t solved all the mysteries of why they act so strangely. There are several theories as to why people are bad at sleeping. The most accepted one has to do with the way they are built. Walking on two legs may be fine and dandy for doing useless things like running or waiting in line, but it gets in the way of more important things.

People’s need for sleep aids can be blamed on their inability to curl up. Curled in a ball is the most natural sleep position there is. Everything is nicely tucked in and you stay warm from your own body heat. Poor people, either have to sleep all stretched out, or in a very poor attempt at the ball curl. Some catsperts think that when they lost their tails, they lost their ability to curl. So, they try to compensate for it. Some take pills, some read books, and some use TV shows that are guaranteed to put you to sleep. My person uses the ring-around-the-rosy car show, and I have to admit, it works. Even if I’ve just woken up from a refreshing nap, that show will put be to sleep.

Instead of worrying about their strange behavior, use this time to bond with your person. Some of my best naps are when I’m sitting in his lap and we’re watching the cars with our eyes closed.

Sweet Dreams,

Sammy