Creampuff Is Masculine

My cat’s name is Creampuff. Yes, my sister really did name our pet after a fluff of dough that imparts a scrumptious fill of cream with every bite. She brought him into the house four years ago, and all I felt was pity. How could she relate the poor male kitten (a.k.a. future predator for nearby birds and squirrels…) to a sweet something I might share with a girlfriend? That’s just incredibly unmanly. It’d be like naming your son Emily!

I know, I know. I’m just being prejudice and slightly sexist.

You know what, though; you’re right. Creampuff really showed me up on this one. If you lived with my cat, you’d see that Creampuff is a natural killer, especially when he chases our neighbor’s pet cat. He’ll spend hours waiting with the greatest intent in his eyes and the smallest token of movement. Once he sees another cat coming onto his territory, (My front yard) his hind legs pounce with a threatening strength and…well, I wouldn’t go near those claws of his. Yet, when Creampuff chases that cat towards a bigger, scarier cat, he’ll frighteningly scurry away to the safely of his blanket.

And you know what else? Creampuff may the best definition of masculinity out there.

The thing is, today, mainstream manliness is clogged with too many rappers singing to expensive cars and ridiculously good-looking women.

Okay…not that there’s anything wrong with that image…

Let me rephrase myself; the issue is that this public image has become the persona of the general community. There’s one too many guys too out there pretending to be Lil Wayne’s twin brother, or, trying to survive 9 bullets to the face. It’s particularly disturbing when I’m in quiet New Hampshire and see someone acting as if they’ve lived a hardened life on the streets of Marlborough.

All I’m saying is that masculinity is not always about being tough, but having the guts to understand one’s own strengths and weaknesses. Know when to pounce and when to scurry away, or else you’re just lying to yourself. C’mon, not everyone can be the next 50 Cent.

Then again, not every cat can be the next Creampuff, either.