A concept well known among those who share homes with cats. No human being has ever owned a cat. They have been lucky enough to live with cats, allowed to pet cats, or even to provide for cats, but the humans were never in a position of ownership. The real test for this is to make demands of "your" cat in a clear voice within earshot of the furry beast.

• If the cat looks at you and returns to whatever it was doing...you are owned.
• If the cat ignores you...you are owned.
• If the cat comes running at the sound of your voice...what you own is a dog which has somehow dressed itself as a cat.