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 