Worshipped in Egypt and held in awe during medieval times - the feline species has an aura of mystery quite contrary to that of our down-to-earth canine friends. The cat's fierce independence and condescending demeanour makes it seem to always have the upper hand! No civilisation has been able to reduce this independent creature to slavery. This four-legged enigma has never failed to profoundly inspire poets, artists and writers - yet the cat has always left them bewildered. The wonderful qualities of cleanliness, discretion, affection, patience, and courage make this a delightful and entertaining pet. Other pets win our love and devotion, but few have earned the respect we pay the cat. Perhaps because they don't seem to need us as much as we need them!
The first domesticated cats were worshipped as Gods: The Egyptian's first cat-god was Mafdet, who reigned from 2500 to 2280 BC; the sun god, Ra, was often referred to as "The Great Cat"; the most famous cat-goddess was Bast, goddess of fire and the moon. It was illegal to export a cat from Ancient Egypt and legend has it that in 1500BC, a group of traders smuggled a dozen cats from Egypt, bred them and began a trade in cats throughout the ancient world. By the first century A.D they were common pets, and the custom of keeping a house cat was spread by the Romans throughout northern Europe as well. In Europe's dark ages, ignorance and bigotry had led to the persecution of cats, since their mysterious and inscrutable ways had identified them with witchcraft. By the end of the 14th Century, the European house cat had almost disappeared. It was the cat's keen hunting ability that saved them, as they were used to destroy the carriers of the bubonic plague - rats - thereby saving themselves and Europeans from extinction.
"Cats are mysterious beings…you never know if they love you or if they condescend to occupy your house. This mystery is what makes them the most attractive beast." Paul Moore
"All animals are equal, but some animals are more equal than others" George Orwell |
