It's a human thing. You'll never understand.
Marlee may not know that today's weather is predicted to be even hotter than the past five, with a high temperature around 38C (100F). But, surely, she doesn't understand why I would go out--for a ride, or any other reason--when she cuddles up and falls asleep on me. She knows that I'll be gone--for how long, she may not know. I promised her that today's ride, like those I've taken on each of the past few days, won't be more than a couple of hours. Still, she's doing everything she can to keep me from going.
I think that, deep down, she knows that her efforts might delay me for a few moments but won't stop me. I belive that she also knows I'll be back. Still, she insists on using her superpowers--her cuddliness and that she's ridiculously cute--to persuade me.
Cats may not have a sense of guilt. But I think they know that humans have it--especially if we come from certain religious or ethnic traditions, including the ones in which I was raised.
Don't go!
I'll be back! (No, I didn't say it in my Arnold Schwarznegger* accent!)
*--Just as there isn't one "French" or "Italian" accent, there isn't just one "German" inflection on English. The Governator, however, has an accent all his own!
