Respect for Cats

from True Stories About Dogs and Cats, by Eliza Lee Follen 

Mice Running over Cat
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"When I was in England," said Mrs. Chilton, "I saw, exhibited in a cage about five feet square, rats, mice, cats and dogs, a hawk, a guinea pig, a rabbit, some pigeons, an owl and some little birds, all together, as amiable and merry as possible. Miss Puss sat in the midst, purring. The others ran over her, or flew upon her head. She had no thought of hurting them, and they were not afraid of her. 

I found, on inquiring, that the way the keeper establishes such peace and harmony is by systematic and constant gentleness, and by keeping the animals all well fed. They are called the happy family. 

The cage was always surrounded by a crowd of people curious to see such natural enemies so happy together. Nothing but the law of kindness could make all those creatures so civil and well behaved to each other. But I must not forget my anecdotes of that respectable animal, the cat. 

You need not smile; I mean to make you respect, as well as love cats. There are some men, and many boys who say they are domestic tigers, that they are sly, that they steal, that you cannot trust them; that the cat heart is bad, and that there is no harm in boys' teasing them, since it is no more than cats deserve; that they were made for us to plague; and that the only good thing they do is to catch rats and mice. 

Now, if this were true, and they were really ever so bad, they ought never to be treated cruelly, never teased and tormented. None but the meanest boy will ever torment any animal. 

He who created us created also the little fly that crawls upon the window pane. I am not now thinking of those boys who do not remember, or have never learned this truth, but of those who have a cruel prejudice against cats, of those who are kind to dogs and horses, but unkind to cats. I shall speak to you of the poor cat with almost as much respect and seriousness as if I were talking about any of my fellow- creatures who were injured and ill treated. 

Next: Affectionate Cat

Cat-Purr - home

In Favor of Cats
Respect for Cats
Affectionate Cat
Cat Mothers
Devoted Cats
Faithful Cat
Kindness to Cats
French Cats
Smart Cat

Cat that Walks by Himself
Why Cats Catch Mice
Kitty Snow
Thomas cat's escape
The Dissatisfied Cat
Whittington & his Cat
A Cat's Dream
Why Cats Purr
Kisa the Cat
Puss in Boots
Alice meets Cheshire Cat
King of the Cats
Xmas Eve
The Slum Cat
The Lioness & the Rat
True Stories

Cat Tales
About Cats
Cat Thoughts

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