I was recently thinking about football - specifically, thinking about the mascots of the professional teams. Big animals are really popular mascots with the Detroit Lions, the Cincinnati Bengals, the Carolina Panthers, Jacksonville Jaguars, and the Chicago Bears.

There are even several birds such as Ravens, Cardinals, and Falcons. But, there are no domestic cats. There are no Miami Manx or San Francisco Siamese or Pittsburgh Persians. Maybe if Maine got a professional football franchise, they would consider being the Maine Coons.

I think this practice reflects deep seated, cultural discrimination. After all, domestic cats can be ferocious. They are clever, resourceful, and cunning. Surely those are the characteristics of a successful football team. So, I wonder if perhaps there is a biased belief that domestic cats are too feminine to be a football mascot.

Maybe we should begin a subtle mind changing campaign - beginning with the Real Men Like Cats Tshirt from Zazzle? Then add some TV spots with retired, but still very macho, football players holding little kitties and exclaiming on their skills as predators and vermin removers - why the possibilities are endless.

Posted by Barbara.