cat bed

Cat Bed

Maria Libera Vallone1 Comment
Cat Bed
Cat Bed

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“CAT BED” is an original pen and ink drawing by Gary Lapelle, resident of the Mountain State, West Virginia. Gary contracted polio at the age of three that left him paralyzed from the neck down. Gary is now able to walk and has the partial use of his right hand and arm from surgery and rehabilitation.
“CAT BED” is an original pen and ink drawing by Gary Lapelle, resident of the Mountain State, West Virginia. Gary contracted polio at the age of three that left him paralyzed from the neck down. Gary is now able to walk and has the partial use of his right hand and arm from surgery and rehabilitation. This greeting card was reproduced from the original drawing for THASC Sales Co., which has employed a unique group of handicapped artists who create art to help rehabilitate themselves. They gain self-respect and pride through their artwork.

When I see paintings of cats, it is so easy for me to think happy thoughts, as cats have always been my pets of choice. That is, they are the domesticated pets I’ve personally chosen to cohabitate with. We always had dogs as children, but once I lived on my own, I chose cats. Actually my first cat, Tesoro, which is the Italian word for “Treasure” or “Darling”, lived almost 20 years and was so difficult for me to say goodbye to, that I didn’t get another cat for a long time, a VERY long time, almost 20 years later. Her name is “Sofia” as in “Loren”. The classic beauty, the dramatic poses….they are all there.

20150717_163947Gary Lapelle’s painting reminds me of her charismatic personality, although Sofia’s colors pale to those of Gary’s. I wonder if he’s had as much success with his cat actually sleeping in her cat bed as I. In fact I’ve had practically none. As you can see from my photo below, her bed has become a haven for her countless number of toys rather than herself.

Even though cats literally sleep their lives away, I don’t remember one time that I’ve actually seen her sleep in her bed. She really preferred much more to sleep in her perch when she was a kitten and even as she grew older. Now at almost 4 years old Sofia sleeps either on top of my legs or draped right beside me on my bed.

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Do you know how much cats sleep all day? They sleep an average of 15-20 hours a day.
The reason is that cats become active around twilight. I can verify that, as Sofia jumps on my head every morning about 4-5am to wake me for breakfast. After that they wind down for a long day of sleep. Cats are still predators but give chase and hunt mainly at night, but even housecats still retain that wild streak. Kittens and older cats tend to sleep more than the average adult cat.

Just like us, it should come as no surprise that cats are affected by weather and like to sleep more on rainy or cold days. I know many cats, like Sofia, who adjust her sleep patterns to feeding schedules. I almost get the sense that THASC artist Gary Lapelle’s CAT in “CAT BED” is anxiously waiting for her bowl to be filled too! Just look at those big, green yearning eyes!

I hope you all find time for a “catnap” during your busy day. I’ll see you on Thursday and then I’m off on vacation until August 17. In the meanwhile please continue to read our blogs for some scrumptious treats and sweets on our blog: http://www.preciousartbypreciouspeople.org Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday and Saturday.

See you at the end of summer!

-Maria

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Sofia caught in her cat bed!

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THASC is a unique small American business producing cards and other promotional products.
www.thasc.com