Sandy Robins - For the Love of Cats: From A to Z

W hy do we love cats?

Its simplethey are the best companions in the world. And its complicated, too. They are funny, curious, empathetic, independent (sometimes), and beautiful. At best, cats can teach us a thing or two about grooming, sleeping, and getting our own way.

WILLIAM SHAKESPEARE REFERRED TO THEM IN THE MERCHANT OF VENICE AS NECESSARY.

Theres no need to ramble on here as this book has everything covered from A to Z with fun verses and informative factoids to improve your knowledge and impress your friends. Its for cat lovers young and old, the purr-fect gift for the cat person who has everything (except this book).

So why do we love cats whats not to love?

In ancient times cats were worshipped as gods; they have not forgotten this. BRITISH AUTHOR TERRY PRATCHETT

A IS FOR

ADORED

BY THE ANCIENT EGYPTIANS,

ACCORDING TO STATUES

AND ENTOMBED INSCRIPTIONS.

U nlike other domestic animals such as the dog and the horse, the cat is self-domesticated. Its history shows that it chose to live in close proximity to people and this relationship dates back 10,000 years to the first settlers in Mesopotamia, the area also known as the Cradle of Civilization, in the Middle East. During the New Kingdom Era in Egypt some 3,000 years ago, cats were so adored by ancient Egyptians that they believed that the common cat was the reincarnation of Bast, the goddess of the fertility, love, pleasure, and dance and protector of all evil. Felines were so revered that the punishment for hurting or killing a cat was death.

The smallest feline is a masterpiece. LEONARDO DA VINCI

B IS FOR

B REEDS

IN COLORS RED, WHITE, AND BLUE.

THE QUESTION TO ASK IS:

WHICH ONE IS FOR YOU?

T here are about 80 different cat breeds recognized around the world. Different cat registries independently recognize different breeds. In the U.S., The International Cat Association (TICA) recognizes 55 breeds while the Cat Fanciers Association (CFA) recognizes 41 breeds. Cat fanciers have their own color palette to describe coat colors. Red is commonly known as ginger or marmalade. Blue refers to gray. Lilac, lavender, and frost are all shades of light gray or dove gray. Chocolate is a dark rich brown and cinnamon is similar to the color of the spice. There is also special vocabulary to describe different coat patterns and shadings on the face (muzzle), paws, and tail. Learn more about the different cat breeds and their coat colors and markings at www.TICA.org and www.CFA.org .

As anyone who has ever been around a cat for any length of time well knows, cats have enormous patience with the limitations of the humankind. CLEVELAND AMORY

C IS FOR

COMPANION.

AS THE WORLDS MOST POPULAR PET,

CATS DEFINITELY ENJOY

ALL THE ATTENTION THEY GET.

T here are an estimated 600 million cats in the world. According to an organization called The CATalyst Council, cats are ranked as the worlds number one companion animals. Currently American cat lovers tend to have two or more cats per household, an idea supported by behaviorists who believe that cats thrive on the companionship of both humans and other cats. The power of the purr has been recognized by the medical profession to have wonderful soothing qualities, aiding patients both young and old. Consequently, felines are becoming popular therapy pets visiting assisted living centers, hospitals, and childrens homes. The Delta Society is a national organization that evaluates and trains people and their cats to become pet partners and arranges for them to do therapy work on a regular basis.

A man has to work so hard so that something of his personality stays a live. A tomcat has it so easy, he has only to spray and his presence is there for years on rainy days. ALBERT EINSTEIN

D IS FOR

DOMAIN.

YOUR CAT OWNS YOUR FAVORITE CHAIR,

WHETHER ITS VACANT

OR YOURE SITTING THERE.

A ll cats are, by nature, territorial. They have whats called a home range and a territory. A cats home range is the area in which it is allowed to roam and, if allowed outdoors, can include quite a large area of the neighborhood. Its territory is much smaller and considered to be a safe environment with a plentiful food supply. So the food bowl is the very core of a cats territory. Cats use scent messaging to stake their claim to an area. This is done in several ways; by rubbing up against an object using the scent glands on their paws or by chinningrubbing the side of the mouth against an object. They do this to claim the people they love, too. They also use spraying urine and leaving feces as a method of leaving strong messages to other cats.

E is also for the Earths vibrations, which a cat can feel before an earthquake is about to happen.

E IS FOR

E VENTS,

LIKE CHAMPION CAT SHOWS.

SOME LOVE THE PAMPERING

MORE THAN YOU KNOW.

C at shows are held around the country every weekend. Whether its a local, regional, or national show, the competition is fierce. Cat owners will spend hours grooming their cats at home beforehand and continue the grooming process right up until the moment their cat is presented to the judge. In America, most cat shows are held under the umbrella of The International Cat Association (TICA) or the Cat Fanciers Association (CFA). Each has its own rules for judging and awards. However, from a spectators viewpoint, both TICA and CFA organized events are set up along similar lines. Rows of cages (the benching area) house the feline participants waiting to be judged in a number of show rings, each presided over by a judge and a clerk to keep a record of the proceedings. The judging in the various rings goes on concurrently. Cat shows are often two-day events.

My cats breath smells like cat food. RALPH, THESIMPSONS

F IS FOR

F INICKY

ESPECIALLY FOR FOOD.

BUT IF A CAT TURNS ITS NOSE UP,