October 29th: The Cat’s Meow
Two favorite calendar days are back to back this month: Chocolate Day was October 28th (I celebrated with Dove Bites—how about you?)
And today is National Cat Day! To celebrate here are cat tidbits to enjoy:
Cats and Author Laps
Through time cats and writers have formed a purrfect team. A few authors who have preferred the company of cats are:
- Neil Gaiman (he used to write a blog about his cats)
- Mark Twain (he would rent kittens when he went on a writing vacation since he had to leave his cats behind at home)
- Ernest Hemingway (he built a cat tower for his brood of over 30 cats when he lived in Cuba)
- Alice Walker (she developed a deep relationship with her cat)
- L.M. Montgomery (she claimed grey cats were perfect and adored her cat “Lucky.”
- James Herriot (while he loved dogs, he had a special place in his heart and writing for cats)
- Edgar Allen Poe (he bonded with his “Catterina” who would sit on his shoulder while he wrote)
Cat Facts - cats can vocalize at least 100 sounds
- cats were referred in ancient Egypt
- cats can jump six times their body length
- cats are known to sleep 12 to 15 hours a day
- cats can run up to 30 mph
- cat brains are 90% similar to human brains
Cat Poetry
Authors through the centuries have eloquently expressed their appreciation for cats through verse. Here are some worthy poems to consider:
Emily Dickinson
She sights a Bird—she chuckles—
She flattens—then she crawls—
She runs without the look of feet—
Her eyes increase to Balls …
Edward Lear
The Owl and the Pussy-cat went to sea
In a beautiful pea-green boat,
They took some honey, and plenty of money,
Wrapped up in a five-pound note.
The Owl looked up to the stars above,
And sang to a small guitar…
Carl Sandburg
The fog comes
on little cat feet.
It sits looking
over harbor and city
on silent haunches
and then moves on
Famous Cats - Puss in Boots: good things come to those who trust a cat in stylish boots
- Cheshire Cat: Alice learned how talking cats add sanity in a world crazy
- Grumpy Cat: aka Tardar, who appeared less than impressed with aspects of life
- Garfield: cousin to Grumpy cat
- Sylvester: Suffering Succotash not the brightest feline in the basket
- Morris: Discerning, not finicky, thank you
- Cat in the Hat: such a troublemaker
- Felix: the wonderful, wonderful cat
And there are some notable cat proverbs:
Nigerian: “When the mouse laughs at the cat a hole is nearby.”
Italian: “Happy is the home with at least one cat.”
French: “The dog might be wonderful prose but the cat is wonderful poetry.”
Irish: “Beware of people who dislike cats.”
Of course there is the “Dogs drool, cats rule.”
So Happy Cat Day to you and yours.
Pam Webb 
Had no idea it was National Cat day. I’m lifelong catguy.
And that’s another reason you are so special, Mitch!😸
🧡
Chocolate Day—just a little warm-up for Halloween. I missed it, though it wouldn’t surprise me if I ate some chocolate anyway since that’s a common theme for me.
Like I always say, Chocolate Day is everyday!
I’m adding this to my list of dates devoted to the many amazing animals in our world. The date is appropriate for our family: on October 29, 2012, Hurricane Sandy descended on New York City. Our son found a kitten during the storm that he appropriately named Hurricane. She’s now a fluffy, pampered big cat who now resides in his home in northern Connecticut where hurricanes are a rarity. (Do I feel the urge to write a story about her coming on?)
A story about a kitten found in the storm named Hurricane? Of course it needs telling.
I’ve seen the cats at Hemingway’s old house in Key West. The progeny of his polydactyl cats still run about the place…or at least they did when we lived there for a couple of months in 1996…so long ago.
As Hemingway said, “One cat leads to another.” There probably plenty of polydactyl progeny still pouncing about.
😻
Love it all!
Great post, Pam.
A feline aficionado you are?
My mom’s house is well known among the feral cats of Sonora. They all find her eventually, and she makes sure they’re fed and have a warm bed (if they want it). Most prefer to hang out with her during the day and take off at night. With a little luck, one day I hope to do the same thing.
Inheriting a clowder of cats is a worthy ambition.