It's Just a Cat

[Barbasiewiczfan]

It's Just a Cat.​

I used to work in the School of Engineering and Computer Science at Cal State Northridge here in the LA area of Southern California.

There is a Snack Shack in the middle of the campus that had food and school supplies for the students.

Several cats lived under the Snack Shack and were fed by the school to help with rodent control.

One day I was standing on the porch outside the Snack Shack when a cat jumped onto the wooden railing that went around the building. I was petting the friendly cat when a woman, wearing hijab, came over to me and started screaming. She said, why are you petting that cat? It has no sole and is only given to us as an animal that we can use for our desires.

In my youth my mother would tell us Bible stories. I don't know if this story is in the Bible, but it was about Moses blessing all the animals and giving them their names.

I just made up a story telling the woman that at one time Mohammed had blessed all of the animals and gave them their names. The woman seemed even angrier and asked what proof I had for this belief. I pointed to the cat and noted that it had the letter "M" on its forehead for Mohammed.

Now she was just plain mad and wanted my name so she could have me fired. I told her I didn't mean to offend her. She then told me Mohammed never used the letter "M" and that I had offended her and her family for many generations back.

I walked off but she followed me anywhere I went. I had an idea. I went into the Engineering building and opened a door and invited her to follow me in. I explained that this was the Colleges morgue and I turned on a light to show her all the gurneys with covered body's on each one. She didn't want to come in. Before I closed the door behind me I told her I had some work to do in the morgue but I would be out in a few minutes. I then left the room through another door and never saw her again.

This is a true story.......Bruce

 

[JGalt]

It's Just a Cat.​

I used to work in the School of Engineering and Computer Science at Cal State Northridge here in the LA area of Southern California.

There is a Snack Shack in the middle of the campus that had food and school supplies for the students.

Several cats lived under the Snack Shack and were fed by the school to help with rodent control.

One day I was standing on the porch outside the Snack Shack when a cat jumped onto the wooden railing that went around the building. I was petting the friendly cat when a woman, wearing hijab, came over to me and started screaming. She said, why are you petting that cat? It has no sole and is only given to us as an animal that we can use for our desires.

In my youth my mother would tell us Bible stories. I don't know if this story is in the Bible, but it was about Moses blessing all the animals and giving them their names.

I just made up a story telling the woman that at one time Mohammed had blessed all of the animals and gave them their names. The woman seemed even angrier and asked what proof I had for this belief. I pointed to the cat and noted that it had the letter "M" on its forehead for Mohammed.

Now she was just plain mad and wanted my name so she could have me fired. I told her I didn't mean to offend her. She then told me Mohammed never used the letter "M" and that I had offended he family for many generations back.

I walked off but she followed me anywhere I went. I had an idea. I went into the Engineering building and opened a door and invited her to follow me in. I explained that this was the Colleges morgue and I turned on a light to show her all the gurneys with covered body's on each one. She didn't want to come in. Before I closed the door behind me I told her I had some work to do in the morgue but I would be out in a few minutes. I then left the room through another door and never saw her again.

This is a true story.......Bruce

Well that's good to know. Seeing as how we have five indoor cats for Muslim repellent, we'll never be attacked by those dirka-dirka jihad motherfuckers.

 

[Manonthestreet]

Well that's good to know. Seeing as how we have five indoor cats for Muslim repellent, we'll never be attacked by those dirka-dirka jihad motherfuckers.

Lightweight we have 7 with another dozen strays outside. That's after relocating about 70

 

[Darkwind]

It's Just a Cat.​

I used to work in the School of Engineering and Computer Science at Cal State Northridge here in the LA area of Southern California.

There is a Snack Shack in the middle of the campus that had food and school supplies for the students.

Several cats lived under the Snack Shack and were fed by the school to help with rodent control.

One day I was standing on the porch outside the Snack Shack when a cat jumped onto the wooden railing that went around the building. I was petting the friendly cat when a woman, wearing hijab, came over to me and started screaming. She said, why are you petting that cat? It has no sole and is only given to us as an animal that we can use for our desires.

In my youth my mother would tell us Bible stories. I don't know if this story is in the Bible, but it was about Moses blessing all the animals and giving them their names.

I just made up a story telling the woman that at one time Mohammed had blessed all of the animals and gave them their names. The woman seemed even angrier and asked what proof I had for this belief. I pointed to the cat and noted that it had the letter "M" on its forehead for Mohammed.

Now she was just plain mad and wanted my name so she could have me fired. I told her I didn't mean to offend her. She then told me Mohammed never used the letter "M" and that I had offended her and her family for many generations back.

I walked off but she followed me anywhere I went. I had an idea. I went into the Engineering building and opened a door and invited her to follow me in. I explained that this was the Colleges morgue and I turned on a light to show her all the gurneys with covered body's on each one. She didn't want to come in. Before I closed the door behind me I told her I had some work to do in the morgue but I would be out in a few minutes. I then left the room through another door and never saw her again.

This is a true story.......Bruce

So, you may not have been that far off.

The "M" marking found on the foreheads of many cats, especially tabbies, is a blend of genetic fact and rich folklore. Here’s the real story behind this iconic feline feature:[/COLOR]

The Science: Genetics and Coat Patterns​

The "M" is not a mystical or breed-specific trait, but a natural result of the tabby coat pattern, which is the most common pattern in domestic cats. This marking is produced by the interaction of several genes—most notably the agouti gene, which controls the distribution of pigment in each hair, creating the characteristic stripes, swirls, or spots of tabby cats. The "M" shape is formed by the way these genes express pigment on the forehead, and while it is most prominent in tabby cats, it can also appear faintly in cats of other patterns due to shared genetic mechanisms​

Myths and Legends

Over centuries, the "M" has inspired numerous legends across cultures:​

• Ancient Egypt​
  : Cats were revered, and the Egyptian word for cat, "mau," is believed by some to be the origin of the "M" marking. Some legends say it symbolizes the cat’s sacred status or its connection to the goddess Bastet
  
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• Christian Folklore​
  : One story tells that a tabby cat comforted the baby Jesus in the manger, and in gratitude, Mary marked the cat’s forehead with an "M" as a blessing
  
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• Islamic Tradition​
  : Another legend attributes the "M" to the Prophet Muhammad, who loved his cat Muezza. After the cat saved him from a snake, Muhammad is said to have blessed the cat by marking its forehead with an "M"
  
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• Other Tales​
  : Some more modern stories suggest the "M" stands for "Mother," referencing nurturing cats, or is a mark of the moon, tying cats to lunar symbolism
  
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  The Truth​

​

While these stories are charming and reflect the special bond between humans and cats, the actual reason for the "M" is genetic. The marking is a natural part of the tabby pattern, which can be found across many breeds and mixed-breed cats. It does not indicate a specific breed or ancestry, nor does it carry any mystical significance beyond its role in folklore

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Summary Table: Myth vs. Science

​

Explanation	Description	Evidence/Origin
Ancient Egypt	"M" stands for "Mau" or marks sacred status	Folklore
Christian (Mary & Jesus)	Mary blessed the tabby for comforting baby Jesus	Folklore
Islamic (Muhammad)	Prophet Muhammad blessed his cat Muezza with the "M"	Folklore
Genetics	Result of tabby coat pattern genes, especially the agouti gene	Scientific fact

Conclusion
The "M" on a cat’s forehead is a fascinating intersection of genetics and human storytelling. While legends abound, the true origin lies in the biology of the tabby coat pattern—a testament to both nature’s artistry and our enduring fascination with cats

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[1srelluc]

 

[Unkotare]

It's Just a Cat.​

I used to work in the School of Engineering and Computer Science at Cal State Northridge here in the LA area of Southern California.

There is a Snack Shack in the middle of the campus that had food and school supplies for the students.

Several cats lived under the Snack Shack and were fed by the school to help with rodent control.

One day I was standing on the porch outside the Snack Shack when a cat jumped onto the wooden railing that went around the building. I was petting the friendly cat when a woman, wearing hijab, came over to me and started screaming. She said, why are you petting that cat? It has no sole and is only given to us as an animal that we can use for our desires.

In my youth my mother would tell us Bible stories. I don't know if this story is in the Bible, but it was about Moses blessing all the animals and giving them their names.

I just made up a story telling the woman that at one time Mohammed had blessed all of the animals and gave them their names. The woman seemed even angrier and asked what proof I had for this belief. I pointed to the cat and noted that it had the letter "M" on its forehead for Mohammed.

Now she was just plain mad and wanted my name so she could have me fired. I told her I didn't mean to offend her. She then told me Mohammed never used the letter "M" and that I had offended her and her family for many generations back.

I walked off but she followed me anywhere I went. I had an idea. I went into the Engineering building and opened a door and invited her to follow me in. I explained that this was the Colleges morgue and I turned on a light to show her all the gurneys with covered body's on each one. She didn't want to come in. Before I closed the door behind me I told her I had some work to do in the morgue but I would be out in a few minutes. I then left the room through another door and never saw her again.

This is a true story.......Bruce

No it's not. That is some seriously weak fiction.

 

[JGalt]

Lightweight we have 7 with another dozen strays outside. That's after relocating about 70

Then you're safe too. But to be absolutely sure, better hang some strips of bacon around the overhang on the roof.

 

[Barbasiewiczfan]

It's Just a Cat.​

I used to work in the School of Engineering and Computer Science at Cal State Northridge here in the LA area of Southern California.

There is a Snack Shack in the middle of the campus that had food and school supplies for the students.

Several cats lived under the Snack Shack and were fed by the school to help with rodent control.

One day I was standing on the porch outside the Snack Shack when a cat jumped onto the wooden railing that went around the building. I was petting the friendly cat when a woman, wearing hijab, came over to me and started screaming. She said, why are you petting that cat? It has no sole and is only given to us as an animal that we can use for our desires.

In my youth my mother would tell us Bible stories. I don't know if this story is in the Bible, but it was about Moses blessing all the animals and giving them their names.

I just made up a story telling the woman that at one time Mohammed had blessed all of the animals and gave them their names. The woman seemed even angrier and asked what proof I had for this belief. I pointed to the cat and noted that it had the letter "M" on its forehead for Mohammed.

Now she was just plain mad and wanted my name so she could have me fired. I told her I didn't mean to offend her. She then told me Mohammed never used the letter "M" and that I had offended her and her family for many generations back.

I walked off but she followed me anywhere I went. I had an idea. I went into the Engineering building and opened a door and invited her to follow me in. I explained that this was the Colleges morgue and I turned on a light to show her all the gurneys with covered body's on each one. She didn't want to come in. Before I closed the door behind me I told her I had some work to do in the morgue, but I would be out in a few minutes. I then left the room through another door and never saw her again.

This is a true story.......Bruce

In Japan, they cut the tails off of domestic cats. If a cat is seen with a tail, it strikes fear in most people as it is regarded as a dangerous animal. When I worked there, I told the office worker girls that I would bring them a bag of cattails. I brought in a bag of cattails that I picked down by the Tokyo Bay. The girls ran for their dictionaries, and we all had a good laugh.

Another true story

 

[EvilCat Breath]

Sometime ago I was at the gym, in the locker room. A woman wearing a hijab came in, took a prayer rug out of her locker, kneels down and starts to pray. Loudly.

I cannot sing. In my best screech "onward CHRISTIAN SOLDIERS, marching AS TO WAR. WITH THE CROSS OF JESUS, going on before. CHRIST THE ROYAL MASTER LEADS AGAINST THE FOE. Forward into BATTLE, see his banner go."

She gets up, tears in her eyes, grabs my hand and says " if a muslim and Christian can pray together like us, there is hope for the world.

She thought I was praying.