Purrs that rock the house

My big black cat Tony has a rumbling purr. It sounds like like distant thunder as he starts to tune up. And then the storm of purring  breaks and we’re inundated! Tony’s purr, proud and loud, really rocks the house.  But apparently he’s outclassed by another kitty who not only rocks the house in which she resides but also rocks  houses, high rises and businesses for blocks around.  Indeed, this feline named Smokey who sounds off with such vigor has made the Guinness Book of World Records.

I read about Smokey in Cat Fancy Magazine. Tony was sitting on my lap when I discovered the article about the 12-year-old feline, a silver-gray tabby who lives in England and holds the record for the world’s loudest purring cat. Tony sniffed the magazine suspiciously. He didn’t think it was possible that another cat could purr louder than he does. In fact, he still is in denial.  But Smokey’s expertise at purring has been officially documented. And, according to the article, Smokey purrs at a rate that’s pretty hard to beat: 80 to 85 decibels, the equivalent of  a loud vacuum cleaner, noisy lawn mower or a plane coming in for a landing a mile away.

Wow! And meow! That’s loud.

But loud, soft or in between, all purrs are pretty remarkable–and kind of mysterious. For centuries, in fact, folks didn’t know exactly where the purr originated in the cat. Some actually thought there was a box lurking deep in the kitty’s insides–a purring music box that kitty could play when it suited his/her fancy. Nowadays, most researchers agree that purring results from brain signals to the laryngeal and diaphragmatic muscles. And the purr sound, thus  initiated,  then occurs with both inhaling and exhaling.

Why does purring happen?

Though usually considered a sign of contentment,  the purr can also come forth during  times when a kitty is frightened or injured. Researchers think this happens because the cat is trying to calm itself, be self- reassuring and get the healing process going.

Could be. But one thing’s for sure: A purring cat can cure all human  ills– or at least make things seem much better. So, rock on Mr. Tony (in Texas), Ms. Smokey (in England) and cool cats everywhere.  In these stressful times, your purrs are needed more than ever before. And so are you.

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Rose Mary Budge Budge