My friend's Bengal cats, Trisha and Toira, are clearly in a mood today. Their usually graceful faces, with their large, expressive eyes, are now twisted into a frown of discontent. Despite their exotic appearance, reminiscent of miniature leopards, these cats have incredibly gentle and affectionate personalities. However, their typically playful and curious gazes have been replaced by a stern expression.
The reason for their discontent likely lies outside the window. The dreary weather, with its cold wind and dampness, has clearly not appealed to these heat-loving creatures. Even though they spend most of their time in a cozy apartment, surrounded by all sorts of toys and scratching posts, Bengal cats have a delicate emotional nature. They are capable of empathy and, it seems, even of condemning the world around them for its imperfections.
Trisha and Toira feel particularly sorry for the dogs that live in the same house. The poor dogs are forced to go outside several times a day and endure all the unpleasantness of the bad weather. The Bengal cats, snuggled up on a soft blanket, watch from above the suffering of their four-legged relatives and seem to mentally pity them.
I often wonder how animals perceive the world around them. I'm sure that Bengal cats have a much deeper emotional life than we can imagine. Their expressive eyes can convey a whole range of emotions, from tender love to furious indignation.
Of course, I'm also fond of cats and dream of having a Bengal beauty of my own. Their exotic appearance and graceful movements are simply mesmerizing. However, I fully understand that any cat, regardless of breed, deserves love and care. My four mongrels, although they don't have such a striking appearance as Bengals, possess equally wonderful qualities. They are loyal, devoted, and always ready to share my joy and sorrow.
And yet, sometimes I want a bit of variety, and I imagine how my Bengal cats would play with my mongrels. I'm sure they would quickly find a common language, as they both have one thing in common - a love of comfort and a reluctance to leave the house in bad weather.
