These days, a little purr goes a long way. In fact, cats are America's favorite pet -- 59 million to 52.9 million dogs! (BHIP: Petcetera) It is very difficult to find the words to accurately describe the warm feeling you get when that marvelous creature comes up to you and places her paw on your arm and looks up at you with those mystical eyes and meows as if to say

   Cats are curious, magical, mysterious and often little clowns. One minute the resident feline is sleeping in a most precarious position, then he's clinging like velcro to the curtains, then he's grooming himself, then he's chasing his own tail or that of the nearest other pet! Even with all this mischief and playfulness, cats are a tonic for the human soul. It has been shown that owning a cat can reduce your stress and tension from everyday life and, thus, increase your life span. So putting up with those crazy feline antics isn't exactly bad for your health.

One of the best parts about getting a new cat is to give it a name. This can be so fun and there is an overwhelming trend to name cats in the most exotic way. Granted that other pets can receive this kind of majestic appellation, but some cat names go a long way back! Bastet was perhaps the first famous cat. She was the Egyptian Goddess of the moon, cats, and sexuality. She was depicted as either a cat-headed woman or a cat. How about Grimalkin? He was the gray cat from Celtic Lore often considered to be a witch's familiar. Then there is Freya, Norse Goddess of Love and Beauty, who had a chariot drawn by two huge gray cats. She is often depicted with rollicking cats.

   Cats come in so many colors, sizes, and personalities that it is a limitless decision when searching for your new friend. The best place to adopt a kitty is to visit your nearest shelter. These cats need the love and affection and home that you can provide. "Adopt a Stray - Do it Today!" Also, don't forget to get the little furball spayed or neutered and help to reduce the homeless cat population. If you have the time, another way to make a difference in a feline's life is to foster a mother cat and her litter of kittens. Most shelters have these programs and it provides a great way to give some cute furry little kitten babies a great head-start on life - besides kittens are just so cute to have around, anyway! If for some reason you can't have a cat, don't fret! There is a growing population of cyber kitties inhabiting the world wide web.

   These kitties are graphics, sometimes animated, that depict cats doing what cats do! They come in all shapes, sizes and colors just like the real thing. They live happily on your desktop, on your web page, or anywhere else you can put a web graphic. Adoption of these cuties is only a click away and a great addition to any cat lovers life…and your landlord will love them!

   The next time you hear the rumble of a purr, the soft meow, or feel the rub of a kitty, remember that this is your feline friend for life. Unlike dogs, who think humans are gods, cats will see you as their equal. They will share your home and give you so much love. All they ask in return is for love and respect and the occasional bit of catnip

SOURCES:
Cat Catalog: The Ultimate Cat Book. Judy Fireman (Editor). (1976). New York: Workman Publishing Co.
U.S. Pet Ownership and Demographics Sourcebook. Quoted from BHIP: Petcetera
All Cat Photos © 1996, 1997, 1998 by April Nicewonger

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