I have been falling victim to a classic mistake - trying to compare something to some kind of perceived "average" or "normal" based on a sample of a group. It is easy to see a couple of instances of some behaviour and then assume it should apply to your sample as well, and if it does not, feel somehow disappointed.

See, the thing is Toruk cannot play fetch. He will sometimes chase after something thrown, but he will never bring it back. Other cats play fetch, even fish and whales play fetch:

Cat playing fetch

Fish playing fetch

Whale playing fetch

After a terrible sadness enveloped me, I suddenly got a supernova-bulb moment: My cat does something other cats and fish and whales do not do - speak to me in an encrypted dialect.

Whenever I pack away the dishes or make coffee, he will (while still laying down asleep somewhere) suddenly start speaking to me in a similar language that they use for talking to birds. The conversation can last 3 - 4 minutes, and he will respond only if I talk back. Who wants to play fetch when you can discuss Everettian logic?