Friday, October 28, 2016

National Cat Day

Tomorrow is National Cat Day. To those of us who have cats, every day is a ‘cat day’; every day is filled with taking care of them, feeding them, cleaning their litter-boxes and cleaning the cats themselves, if need be. We play with them, talk to them, keep them safe, every day. So why is there a National Cat Day?

Firstly, I think simply calling the event ‘national’ limits its scope. The purpose of the day is to make people aware of the need to rescue homeless and abused cats, and to celebrate those felines who have families and friends, and the positive effect those cats have on us. If this is indeed the reason for the day, then restricting it to any one country is like trying to rid only one country in the world of poverty. We need not simply start here, or there. One person trying to make a difference must begin somewhere, but if an entire planet is involved in solving a problem, then a beginning may be made everywhere.

This internationalism of Cat Day emphasizes its purpose. We who have cats in our lives know their value. This day is similar to a recruitment drive by a social club: it’s not so much for those who already belong, but for those who don’t. Yet by telling others about our cats, and our lives with cats, we most effectively spread the word about these astonishing creatures.

Though I have four cats now, my feline family started with one. Her name was Tungsten. She was already seven when I adopted her; at least, that’s at what her age was estimated. For seven and a half years, she was my friend. She was much like myself: introverted and quiet, active to an extent but preferring a relaxing evening at home. Neither of us cared for politics and we were both terrible at tennis. So we were a good fit.

Tungsten, and those who came after her - Josie, Renn, Tucker, Cammie, and my foster-cats (Lincoln, Mystery, Wixie, Devon, Rachael, Bear-Bear, Kola, Noah) - were more than just companions. Cats are teachers; teachers of patience and calm, of logical thinking and of dealing with illogical beings. They force us to manage finances and to understand medicine; to plan and to improvise, and to resign ourselves to failure at times. They show us responsibility, for they are living creatures entirely dependent on our ability to care for them.

But even if they were none of these things, they would remain, at the very least, our friends. And that, certainly, is reason enough for them to have their own day.

Tungsten died on March 26th, 2015.


26 comments:

  1. Oh my God, John, that face. What a darling cat. Yes, she looked far to smart to care about politics and knew that paws were not designed for rackets. I imagine that coming home to a relaxing evening with her was surely a pleasure.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. She was the perfect size for a lap-cat, too, though so tiny. She caused me endless worry with her little size. I'd love to have her back to worry over more.

      Delete
  2. Thank you so much for your wonderful post about National Cat Day. You're correct - when a cat is part of your family, every day is National Cat Day. Cats, and animals in general, add so much to our lives, and they ask for so little in return. I was 23 years old when I got my first cat, and now I cannot imagine being without one. (Or in my case, 6. I guess I'm making up for lost time, huh!)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I'm the same way. I didn't have one until my forties. I should have started much sooner.

      Delete
  3. "Cats are teachers; teachers of patience and calm"

    Agreed. I've mellowed significantly in my years on this Earth, mostly due to the influence of my Monster. I have had her my entire adult life.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I think I've become a better person over the years, but it's due entirely to my friends, human and feline.

      Delete
  4. Being a dog owner my whole life it came as a shock when I adopted my first rescue cat 4 yrs ago. Why did I wait so long?!! Now I have my second rescue kitty & I'm a true cat lover. Would have more if my husband would let me. I guess it's better to be late to the game then not at all.
    I did not know Tungsten was 7 when you adopted her. So glad she was your first! It's funny how adopting just one cat turns into more.
    Have a great weekend with your fur-family.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I still love dogs but having one in an apartment was impractical, so I adopted a cat - and haven't looked back.

      Delete
  5. That's a wonderful photo of Tungsten. It's amazing what other Beings have to teach us, if only we would pay attention. In my case, I don't think I've mastered the "patience and calm," but having cats has taught me to research and advocate re: health issues, for them and for myself, among other lessons.

    As for "national" Cat Day, of course that's a US-centric thing, as so much in the blog world has been, but just in the years I've been blogging I've seen that expand. Maybe it's time to rename it: International Cat Day. :-)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. They can teach me patience and calm, but I didn't say I have learned well. Ha!

      Yes, the U.S. sometimes acts like China during the days of the emperors; it called itself the Middle Kingdom because it was the centre of the universe...

      Delete
  6. Tungsten was a beauty. Our last cat passed away two years ago and I still want to yell"Goodbye" when I head out the door. The house does seem awfully quiet at times.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. You should look into adopting another cat. Just a small one...

      Delete
  7. Such a wonderful post! The more the merrier works for us!

    ReplyDelete
  8. Cats are the most wonderful creatures and add so much to our lives. Of course every day should be Worldwide Cat Day.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I couldn't imagine my life without cats now, at least one.

      Delete
  9. What a lovely portrait of Tungsten. I was startled at the date of March of 2015. Time goes so quickly in some regards and slow it others. It's always cat day around here and I know I would be so lost without their furry presence. Thank you for your wonderful posting.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. It's only a few months until it'll have been two years without her. You are right: sometimes the interval seems like ages, sometimes it was only yesterday.

      Delete
  10. Thank you for the lovely tribute to our feline companions. Yes, everyday here is cat day. And everyday I still miss my Jessica. All our dear cats complete each day. Coming home at the end of a long work day and welcomed by a beloved cat brightens even the hardest day.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Just like your Holly, my surviving cats are very special, but sometimes there is something a little different about one in particular.

      Delete
  11. Tungsten was beautiful. Excellent post, I celebrate my cats every day by spoiling them.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Yes, a little beautiful creature. I wish I had spoiled her more, now.

      Delete
  12. A lovely post and what a nice photo of Tungsten. A home is more complete with a cat in it.

    Julie and Poppy Q

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. My home wouldn't be a home without at least one cat in it, now.

      Delete
  13. Isn't she beautiful! If , as they say, eyes are the windows of the soul, there can be no doubt Tungsten has a soul and it is as beautiful as she.
    We love all of our cars but sometimes we find one who we seem to be on the same wavelength with us. I don't think cats become spoiled in the way dogs can, it's not in their makeup. Spoil and pamper them. We never know how long they'll be with us and we can never go back.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Yes, I always felt that Tungsten understood me, and that I understood her; that she felt she was different than the other cats because she was my first cat. There'll never be another like her.

      Delete