Mona Lisa Smile

So, having had a cat now for over a year (my first!), I have become initiated into the many many quirks of cats (the feline love of chasing lights on the floor; their particular interest in the sounds of jingle bells and crinkly plastic; their ability to stand behind one in the perfect place for getting stepped on) as well as cat ownership: choosing toys, treating scratches, and buying food and litter (not to mention the cleaning of said litter!). I have also dabbled in cat clothing, though obviously, it never lasts longer than the necessary photo-op.

Cats are both graceful and ridiculously clumsy, elegant and rather silly, loving and stand-offish. And although they can be annoying and at times even aggressive, I think most cat lovers believe in the dignity of the animal. And while cats sometimes seem like they are smiling, I don't think they ever really do. They are, by and large, above smiles.

This fact is lost on the designers of cat litter, however, who seem to enjoy making cats smile. Take exhibit A:

Creepy right?

Not sure why litter should be made out of wheat in the first place--that seems kind of odd--but I guess they think it's more natural. If that is the case, then why is this cat smiling unnaturally?

Obviously Fresh Step caters to vampire cats who sparkle in the sunlight.
Not sure why it's smiling though. Just killed a helpless mouse named Bella?

Exhibit B (above) also features a (drawn) cat smiling. Cats don't smile! These litter companies seem to think that a smiling cat equals a smiling owner. The truth is, all litter stinks, and it never makes me smile.

Less smiling; still creepy.

These cats aren't quite smiling--oh wait, that little one is. Kind of a Mona Lisa smile, huh? Alluring and mysterious....just what I want in cat litter. Well and I can't help getting the feeling that more is going on between these two cats than just cuddles. Their expressions are just too knowing. What is Away trying to tell us about cat relationships!?

No smile? Think again! That tabby is definitely smiling. Little grey has got the Mona Lisa thing going on.

Even Arm & Hammer seems to think it's necessary to suggest a hint of smile on the cover of their Super Scoop.

Finally--cats with dignity!

Thank goodness--a litter with real cats on the cover! Cats that prove my maxim that cats don't smile. It's undignified. On the other hand, these cats do seem to have tangible expressions on their little furry faces--defiance, in the one on the left; earnestness and determination tinged, perhaps, with fear in the one on the right. In fact....this montage reminds me a little of something else....

Those generic brand cat litter cats are totally channeling Luke and Leia!

Of course, I'd prefer a Mona Lisa cat smile, or even a big Swheat Scoop grin, to this:

Where's the dignity, I ask you? Where!?

And yes....I was totally taking pictures of cat litter at the grocery store for this post. Hope you enjoyed! And remember, always keep your eyes out for the bizarre...

-UK