Law and Magic Blog

Feline Magic

The magic of love. 

I Can Has Cheezburger.com

I know, this calculation doesn't take into account the cost of vet visits, pet food, toys, and treats. That outlay is minimal compared to feline contributions: companionship, reassurances that you look just fine as you're going out the door, and a "paws down" when you're dating the wrong someone. That's real magic.

Sawing a Cat In Half--Feline Variation One

Amusing image at 

I Can Has Cheezburger. com

You Has a Tell

What to do about feline gambling addiction?

I Can Has Cheezburger. com

Casino Cat

Can casinos refuse service to non-humans?

From I can has cheezburger.com. 

Big Bang Theory Kitty

One of Schrodinger's Cat comments 

From I Can Has Cheezburger.com (with a hat tip to The Big Bang Theory, Season 1, Episode 17, "The Tangerine Factor.") Does this qualify as a variation of the Metamorphosis illusion?

Cat Burglar

Jack the Cat is a clothesnapper. A feline resident of Coeur d'Alene, Idaho, he prowls the neighbors' yards, looking for (what are to him) attractive (or reachable?) garments and spirits them home. His human has now put them out on a clothesline, hoping someone will spot and claim them. She needs a cat whisperer. Or maybe a lock on the door.

Myth-Buster?

Aspiring feline mentalist 

From I Can Has Cheezburger.com

A Cat in the "House"

On this week's episode of House, "Here, Kitty," probably inspired by that story of the kitty that could tell when nursing home patients were going to die. House does critical thinking battle with a patient who believes in the psychic abilities of the kitty, and finally decides that said kitty is really seeking warmth--the warmth of a blankie, or a heating pad, or a body, all of which are available in the vicinity of patients. Halfway through the episode (the usual critical point), the patient has an important scene with Robert Chase, one of the other physicians, who tells her that faith has an important part to play in healing, but that part is in the waiting room, not in the OR.

Ultimately, House, being the usual hero of this medical drama, figures out the kitty's "psychic ability" which is that cats like heat. (We knew that). The cat seeks warmth, and the dying patients usually have more blankets, or heating pads, than other patients. The cat likes to plop itself on those beds. In addition, those patients are less likely to move around than patients who are getting better. (Although why a hospital or nursing home would allow a cat loose in a sterile area is beyond me).

The patient isn't convinced, and leaves, telling House she still believes that some things in life are unexplainable. That's undoubtedly true. What divides us is how we approach them.

Meanwhile, one of House's victims (a resident), decides to invest in a "sure thing," some kind of deal proposed to him by a high school buddy who has since gone on to become CEO of a corporation. He quits his job at the hospital, as House tells him, "You'll be back. Don't forget the doughnuts." There's a problem, however. The buddy isn't a CEO. He's a temp at the company at which he claims to be the head honcho. The resident, fortunately, finds out before he invests, and sorrowfully returns to work.

This particular episode suggests that one could contrast critical thinking on the part of House with a lack of critical thinking on the part both of the patient and the resident. Of course, those who hold that faith has a place in healing, or in diagnosis, like the patient, will find a place for it in the story. Those who don't, like House, will find affirmation for their opinion. And those who are somewhere in the middle, like Dr. Chase, will also find support.

It was an intriguing mix, and one of the better entries in this series.

The Card Force Is With Me

Cat card magic from

I Can Has Cheezburger.com

Working On Their Act

Check out this photo and caption from I Can Has Cheezburger.com