Obama and McCain - the cats

Vying for the title of "Purr-fect President".

Cats

You now have learned enough to see
That Cats are much like you and me
And other people whom we find
Possessed of various types of mind.
For some are sane and some are mad
And some are good and some are bad
And some are better, some are worse -
But all may be described in verse.

T.S. Eliot

Les Chats

Ils prennent en songeant les nobles attitudes
Des grands sphinx allongés au fond des solitudes,
Qui semblent s'endormir dans un rêve sans fin;

Leurs reins féconds sont pleins d'étincelles magiques,
Et des parcelles d'or, ainsi qu'un sable fin,
Etoilent vaguement leurs prunelles mystiques.

Charles Baudelaire

The Angel

What I really like about Dr. Stefanie Schwartz's approach to the feline world is its reflective, spiritual and meditative quality. In a few brief sentences she is able to express what it is almost impossible to say:

Words are not always necessary; in fact, they frequently get in the way. Your cat speaks volumes when s/he finds just the right moment to rub against your cheek and curl up next to you... Despite an arduous day, when your cat gazes at you and purrs, it is the gesture of an angel reminding you that, today and every day, you are worthy of being loved.

Dr. Cookie's Guide

This is by far the best book on the nature and rearing of cats that I've found. It's written by a real doctor, who genuinely understands the often strange yet tender world of the cat, and the ways in which it intersects with the world of human beings. I've learned a great deal from this wonderful book.

Jussi

Buster is now called Jussi - after the Finnish-Swedish opera tenor Jussi Björling. Being called "Buster" seemed to rankle with him a bit - while he responded to it, he obviously associated the name with some rough times in the past. He responds to "Jussi" better somehow - and this name reflects his undoubted singing powers, when he decides to meow.

He hasn't been outside the house yet - perhaps next week I'll try taking him into the garden in his Cat Walking Jacket Harness and leash.

In fact, here in the UK it's fairly normal for cats to go outside unattended. In the States, however, things are rather different.

Buster

Apologies for the hiatus in posting - Buster has been moving in, and it has taken quite a lot of time and energy away from other things. However, he seems to be settling, so hopefully I can get back to posting soon, and stop thinking about scratchposts and litter trays for a while.