Pussycats

When you think of pussycats, a plethora of different imagery comes immediately to mind. Pussycats can be soft and sweet. Pussycats can be used as a term for a mean-looking, tough-talking individual who, underneath it all, is as mushy and romantic as a Hallmark Anniversary Card.

A pussycat can be an attractive woman, oftentimes with devious ways.

For the simple folk among us, it may bring thoughts of your sweet, gentle, white-haired, green-eyed furry childhood feline companion that you received for your 5th birthday and named, appropriately by you, "Snowball" or "Snowflake" who helped you through your angst-filled teenage years by softly kneading on your lap while you watched TV and did your homework.

The term pussycat has been used over and over again in pop culture. Perhaps the word pussycat conjures up the memory of Tom Jones' famous song "What's New Pussycat?" from the 1965 swinging 60's slapstick comedy, written by Woody Allen and starring Peter O'Toole.

Or, you may be thinking about the 1974 rock album "Pussy Cats", recorded by the crazy Harry Nilsson and produced by John Lennon during their alcoholic "lost weekend" phase. The album, "Pussy Cats" starring the Walkmen" was a track-for-track rerecording of this famed and favorite album by the Walkmen in 2006.

What's new pussycat? as Tom Jones may say.

If you are a young man between the ages of 16 and 35, the word pussycat may remind you of The Pussycat Dolls, a Hollywood burlesque-inspired, sugary pop music group with varying tarted-up, twenty-something female members and guest stars who can't really sing or dance but record and produce commercially mainstream, money-making, radio-friendly music.

And they're hot. Or, if you're older, you might remember the fabulous animated TV series "Josie and the Pussycats", which ran on Saturday mornings in the early 1970s and was based on the Archie Comic series written by Dan DeCarlo. Josie and her Pussycats, an all-girl pop music band, had many adventures, trials and tribulations that inspired many a future girl-rocker in her formative years.

They even looked like your traditional pussycats of the feline variety with their leopard-print leotards and "long tails and ears for hats". Josie and the Pussycats survived the 70s and were brought to life once more in the 2001 box office flop of the same name, much to the chagrin of many.

It seems that pussycats and the many interpretations of the name inspire men and women alike to illustrate and emulate the core meaning of the genuine feline pussycat companion. That's because there's something about pussycats that are mysterious, a little dangerous in their aloof attitudes and very independent.

The thing about pussycats is that, at the end of the day, they need you just as much as you need them. Felines of any variety make great pets and are very lovable. If your life is missing a little love and affection, you can most likely adopt an adorable pussycat from your local Humane Society or animal shelter. Pussycats bring joy and love into every life and home they touch so get yourself a pussycat and enjoy the furry feminine feline today.