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More
Catty Tales
Interesting Cat Facts
Cats were first domesticated
in Ancient Egypt as long as 4000 years ago.
The name "tabby is thought
to have originated from the similarity of the cat's coat pattern to woven
watered silk or taffeta. The weaving of this silk produces a striped effect
on the cloth which was known as "tabbisilk" in England. The word originates
from a district in Bagdad called Attabiya where this material was manufactured.
According to legend, the markings
on the forehead of the tabby form the letter "M" which stands for the prophet
Mahomet. The shoulder mark on the classic tabby is said to be the imprint
left by Mahomet's hand when he caressed his beloved cat.
One of the largest breeds of
domestic cat, the Maine Coon Cat can weigh as much as 7kg (15lb).
The Burmese is lively and friendly
towards people, including strangers and children; it enjoys sleeping in
human beds (remind you of someone!)
The Naming of Cats
(from "The Naming of Cats" by T.S. Eliot)
The Naming of Cats is a difficult matter,
It isn't just one of your holiday games;
At first you may think I'm as mad as a hatter
When I tell you a cat must have THREE DIFFERENT NAMES.
Ode to Spot
(from "Star Trek - The Next Generation")
Copyright Paramount Pictures. All rights Reserved.
Felus cattus, is your taxonomic nomenclature
an endothermic quadruped, carnivorous by nature?
Your visual, olifactory, and auditory senses
contribute to your hunting skills, and natural defenses.
I find myself intrigued by your sub-vocal oscillations,
a singular development of cat communications
that obviates your basic hedonistic prediliction
for a rhythmic stroking of your fur to demonstrate affection.
A tail is quite essential for your acrobatic talents;
you would not be so agile if you lacked its counterbalance.
And when not being utilized to aid in locomotion,
It often serves to illustrate the state of your emotion.
O Spot, the complex levels of behavior you display
connote a fairly well-developed cognitive array.
And though you are not sentient, Spot, and do not comprehend
I nonetheless consider you a true and valued friend.
The
Rainbow Bridge.Just this side of heaven is a place called Rainbow Bridge. When an animal dies that has been especially close to someone here, that pet goes to Rainbow Bridge. There are meadows and hills for all of our special friends so they can run and play together. There is plenty of food, water and sunshine, and our friends are warm and comfortable.
All the animals who had been ill and old are restored to health and vigor; those who were hurt or maimed are made whole and strong again, just as we remember them in our dreams of days and times gone by. The animals are happy and content, except for one small thing; they each miss someone very special to them, who had to be left behind.
They all run and play together, but the day comes when one suddenly stops and looks into the distance. His bright eyes are intent; His eager body begins quivers. Suddenly he begins to run from the group, flying over the green grass, his legs carrying him faster and faster. You have been spotted, and when you and your special friend finally meet, you cling together in joyous reunion, never to be parted again. The happy kisses rain upon your face; your hands again caress the beloved head, and you look once more into the trusting eyes of your pet, so long gone from your life but never absent from your heart.
Then you cross Rainbow Bridge together....
Author unknown...
If it should be that I grow frail and weak
And pain should wake me from my sleep,
Then you must do what must be done,
For this last battle can't be won.
You will be sad, I understand.
Don't let your grief then stay your hand,
For this day, more than all the rest,
Your love and friendship stand the test.
We've had so many happy years,
What is to come will hold no fears,
You'd not want me to suffer, so
When the time comes - please let me go.
I know in time you too will see,
It is a kindness you do to me,
Although my tail its last has waved,
From pain and suffering I've been saved.
Do not grieve that it should be you
Who has to decide this thing to do.
We've been close - we two - these years,
Don't let your heart hold any tears.
Anon.
A poem sent to us by Sue Menolasino from Illinois, US
Rocky Louise
I once had a cat named Rocky Louise.
He was better than most, he was easy to please.
Food and water, a scratch behind his ears
Kept him content for some seventeen years.
He had a full life and loved to explore,
Sometimes he'd bring part of his catch to my door.
We all know the time comes - it can't be avoided,
When our faithful pet dies - something we've secretly dreaded.
That day has come, your suffering is done.
I'm glad you choose me back in 1983.
"Etiquette for Inexperienced Cats"
1.
If you have to throw up, get into a chair quickly.
If you cannot manage this in time, get to an Oriental rug. Shag is
good.
2.
Determine quickly which guest hates cats. Sit on that lap during the
evening.
He won't dare push you off and will even call you "nice kitty".
If you can arrange to have cat food on your breath, so much the better.
3.
For sitting on laps or rubbing against trouser legs, select colors
that contrast you own.
4.
Always accompany guests to the bathroom. It is not necessary to do
anything. Just sit and stare.
5.
For guests that say "I love kitties," be ready with aloof disdain,
claws applied to stockings, or a quick nip on the ankles.
6.
Do not allow closed doors in any room.
To get one open, stand on hind legs and hammer door knob with forepaws.
Once the door is opened for you, it is not necessary to use it. You
can change your mind.
When you have ordered an outside door opened, stand half in and half
out and thing about several things. This is important during very cold
weather or mosquito season.
7.
If one person is busy and the other is idle, sit with the busy one.
For book readers, get in close under the chin, unless you can lie across
the book itself.
8.
For ladies knitting, curl quietly into lap and pretend to doze.
Then reach out and slap knitting needles sharply.
This is what she calls a dropped stitch.
She will try to distract you. Ignore it.
9.
For people doing homework, sit on the paper being worked on.
After being removed the second time,
push anything movable off the table (pens, pencils, stamps) one at
a time.
10.
Get enough sleep during the daytime so that you are fresh for playing
at night between 2 and 4 a.m.
To all the cyber-kitties out there,
For more excellent stories
about our cat kind,
check out the new newsgroup
rec.pets.cats.anecdotes.
Authored by Patrick & Irene Lowe
Text has been taken from various sources and
is used solely for the purpose of entertainment and not for profit. Graphics
are borrowed.
Revised: 27th February 2000.
