man has either adored or reviled the mysterious feline. The often mistreated cat saved man from the Black Death only to be put to death along with its owner in times of witch hunts. Devil or angel? We believe they are angels unaware and that they brighten and make whole our lives.
There is a legend telling us that when the Christ Child was born in a rude stable on a chilly Bethlehem night the baby cried and would not be consoled. One by one the animals attempted to placate the Child but failed. Eventually the humble stable cat nestled with the Child in his hay filled manger and the soft purring of the feline lulled the Child to sleep. In gratitude for this kindness the Virgin Mary traced the letter "M" on the cat's brow and told the animal that forevermore the descendants of the cat would bear the "M" on it's forehead to inform the world that cats were to be held in special esteem by believers everywhere.
In the seventh century the Prophet Mohammed lived with a feline he called Musa or Moses. It is said that Mohammed loved the cat so dearly that he cut off his sleeve (upon which Musa was sleeping) rather than wake the cat. In another story it is told that the Prophet was saved from a venomous snake by a pet cat. Mohammed then proclaimed than the cat would be with him in paradise. This would indicate that cats possess immortal souls to be capable of a life beyond earthly death.
We, as devotees of all things fine and feline, believe that God created the dog to follow man as if he were an earthly god and created cat to remind man that he is not a god of the universe but only of his own small place on earth. It is when man begins to feel that he should be worshiped as the Creator is worshiped that he sets himself as did Lucifer.
It has been said that in the days when wagon trains rolled West there were no domestic cats west of the Mississippi and that any family which took their cat along on the journey found that it was much in demand as a mouser. As the number of cats in pioneer camps began to multiply a pet cat could be sold for $20 which was a months salary for a sheriff in the 18th century. Some of us believe that they are priceless even today.
We, as keepers of cats, believe all owners should keep their cats indoors and that those cats should be vaccinated, fed, kept clean, and neutered or spayed.
Are you ready to embark upon that search for the cat or kitten for you? The middle and cat on the left were both adopted from Second Hand Siamese of Flowery Branch, Georgia. The blue lynx point on the right side of the photo came from Rescue Cats of Fayetteville, Georgia. All are in their forever home but there are many more like them who are waiting for someone such as you to adopt them and let them love you.
Miz Abigail, adopted from the Augusta (Georgia) Animal Shelter
