JKR's cats (was: Ginny's animagus)

[tigerpatronus]

No: HPFGUIDX 93931

> > Laura:> > You know, this ties into something I've never 
understood.  JKR *hates* > > cats. [...]<snip> [however,] JKR 
portrays cats as intelligent, sensitive to magic, and the > > natural 
companions of witches and wizards.  

> --- In HPforGrownups at yahoogroups.com, bufo_viridis at i... wrote:
> Viridis:
> I'm not sure if she *hates* the cats or rather she dislikes them, 
because (and that's a fact she admitted herself) she is allergic 
<snip>
> 1. In spite of her allergies JKR is a sensible person. And every 
>sensible person (some biased dog-overs excluded) knows that cats 
>*are indeed* intelligent, sensitive (not only to magic), 
>commuicative and generally superior creatures. So their positive 
>description is nothing but true.

Now TigerPatronus: It seems to me that a reflexive, unreasoning 
hatred of an entire species of creature is the sign of extreme 
immaturity and possibly an evil nature. Being allergic to something 
makes one avoid it, but that doesn't lead to hatred. For example, 
cigarette smoke makes my lungs clamp closed (asthma), but I don't 
*hate* smoking or smokers. Some of my friends smoke, and I sit 
outside with them, albeit upwind. (As an unrepentant coffee drinker, 
I understand addiction. A lot. Even reveling in addiction. Chocolate, 
too.) Most good writers, JKR included, are more mature than to allow 
their own unreasoning hatreds (or affinities) to influence what their 
characters do. The characters are primary. Some of her characters, 
such as Hermione and Mrs. Figg, like cats. You've got to let the 
characters do what they're going to do anyway. 

<snip> Cheers, Viridis 
> P.S> I admit there are several non-complimentary feline-origin 
terms for women. Work of dog-loving fifth columnists, undoubtedly :)

TP: Of course, there is one particular derogatory term for women that 
is dog-related, not cat-related. So I suppose that's equal 
opportunity. 

TK -- TigerPatronus