usa | world | animals | vocabulary | health | science | math | history


All Images: GNU head 	Permission is granted to copy, distribute and/or modify this document under the terms of the GNU Free Documentation License, Version 1.2 or any later version published by the Free Software Foundation; with no Invariant Sections, no Front-Cover Texts, and no Back-Cover Texts. A copy of the license is included in the section entitled "GNU Free Documentation License".

You can keep a dog; but it is the cat who keeps people, because cats find humans useful domestic animals.
George Mikes


 

Strong Silent Type: A dog’s unflinching loyalty is well known, but a cat's loyalty is less spoken of. Cat lovers attest to a cat’s love and affection but claim a cat is less likely to show those emotions publicly. In other
words, they're the strong silent type, and keep things to themselves. However,
cats can spring into action when needed! Their bravery and selflessness inspire even their harshest critics.

Visit the Imprisoned: A cat named Trixie once stayed with his owner, the 3rd Earl of Southampton, for 2 years while the Earl was imprisoned in the Tower of London. Another cat named Jim once saved his human family after a fire had started in the house. The family was asleep and unaware of the fire. Rather than run out and leave the family, Jim ran upstairs and awoke them with his meowing. The family was able to escape unharmed. For his efforts Jim was awarded the Blue Cross Medal.

Church Cat: One of the most famous cat heros was Faith, who made a name herself during World War II. Whether she was abandoned or not is unknown, but Faith was living on the streets during the early days of the War. While looking for a place to live, she came upon St. Augustine’s Church on Watling Street in London. She tried to enter the Church several times but was rebuked by the church’s attendant. Faith finally evaded the attendant and took up residence in the Church. Eventually the pastor of the church, Father Henry Ross, discovered the cat and being a cat lover, adopted her as the official “church cat.” She became well known by the congregation and a regular fixture at services, even resting by Father Ross’s feet while he preached.

Risk Life and Limb: In 1940, Faith bore a kitten, which the congregation named Panda. The birth was a cause of great joy and the whole community celebrated the new addition. Faith and Panda were regular fixtures in the Church and well cared for, by both clergy, laity, and staff.

Eventually, with no discernible reason, Faith moved Panda down into the cold basement, and no amount of persuasion could bring her back up. The next night and for the days following London was besieged by an air raid and both the church and homes nearby were damaged, some destroyed. Nearly the whole church was in shambles but somehow Faith survived and even managed to save her Panda as well, staying with her kitten as the bombs blew and destroyed the Church. Her devotion and bravery became well known throughout London, inspiring many a person through the dark days of the war. Faith could not be awarded the Dickens Medal because she was a civilian pet. A special silver medal was made instead and presented to Faith by the Archbishop of Canterbury on October 12, 1945.