| . CATS ARE BEST FRIENDS OF HUMAN BEINGS | | | | to news published in newspaper, in August 2000, |
| -The Cat was a pet at least eight thousand years | | | | a cat named Jessie saved her owner Margaret |
| ago because bones of cats, mice and humans | | | | Hayward's life by jumping up and down on her |
| were found buried together on the ancient island | | | | owner's bed in order to wake her when the home |
| of Cyprus. In ancient Egypt, the cat was a pet at | | | | caught fire. A cat named Scarlett of New York |
| least five thousand years ago. The cat was | | | | ran into a burning house five times in order to |
| considered to be a sacred animal in ancient Egypt. | | | | save her kittens. Some cats can protect their |
| Cats are held sacred in Buddhism. Much | | | | owner from thieves. A cat of UK actually alerted |
| appreciated by the Buddhists was the capacity of | | | | his owners to a real burglar by running up and |
| cats for meditation which they sensed in cats. | | | | down the stairs hissing and growling. A cat saved |
| The Birman cat descends from cats that were | | | | her kittens from a burning building. For any |
| venerated as gods in the Buddhist temples. In | | | | information about adventures of some |
| Burma, the Burmese cats are held to be sacred. | | | | extraordinary cats like bravery and homing |
| The Birman cat descends from cats that were | | | | instinct visit the website or website Cats are |
| venerated as gods in the Buddhist temples. The | | | | thought to protect humans from bad evils. |
| Buddhist priests believed that the faithful returned | | | | Farmers and shopkeepers keep cats to protect |
| to earth in the form of a cat. In Buddhism, it is | | | | food grains from rats as well as to prevent |
| believed that on the death of a person who had | | | | diseases like Plague which are spread by rats. |
| reached the highest levels of spirituality the soul | | | | Butchers, bakers, grocers, bookstore owners as |
| entered the body of a cat. It remained there until | | | | well as restaurant owners and stationary store |
| the cat died, when the soul entered paradise. | | | | owners domesticate cats in order to keep their |
| Even today, in some Asiatic sanctuaries, divine | | | | premises free of rats and mice. Due to the lack |
| powers are attributed to the cat and it is believed | | | | of cats, two thirds of the European human |
| that in the hereafter the soul of cat speaks to | | | | population died of the Plague in the past. Cats |
| Buddha in favor of its owner that still lives on | | | | have been credited with the the ability to predict |
| earth. In Buddhist temples across Asia, cats are | | | | earthquakes. Cats can hear ultrasonic waves. Cats |
| kept as mousers. Among the most charming of | | | | become intensely agitated before major |
| Japanese cats is Maneki-Neko, a small cat believed | | | | earthquakes, volcanic eruptions and severe |
| to ensure happiness and good luck. Japanese | | | | electrical storms. In many cases, cats have been |
| Buddhists venerate cats after their death. The | | | | observed desperately trying to escape from |
| temple of Go - To - Ku - Ji in Tokyo is dedicated | | | | inside buildings prior to an earthquake. Cats and |
| to cats. Vested priests serve the temple and | | | | kittens are very photogenic and can be easily be |
| intone chants for feline souls. Crowded into the | | | | used to advertise any product like greeting cards, |
| temple are sculptures paintings and relief carvings | | | | milk products, candy boxes, calendars, toys and |
| of cats. In each of these, the cat has a paw | | | | food. Cat's sense of hearing is one of the highest |
| raised as if in greeting, the classical pose of the | | | | in animal kingdom. Cat's sense of hearing is |
| cat Maneki - Neko. Cats continue to be worshiped | | | | greater than human beings. The anatomy of cat |
| as deities in countries such as Thailand and China. | | | | is very similar to human beings. The Egyptian |
| The power of cats to see in the dark was also | | | | word for cat is Mau. Cats were even worshipped |
| considered useful to hold evil spirits at way, since | | | | as feline goddess Bast or feline goddess Bastet or |
| it was usually thought that eyes of cat were | | | | feline goddess Pasht in ancient Egypt for more |
| more active at night, the walls of many Asiatic | | | | than two thousand years. The Feline goddess |
| houses were adorned with images of cats. In | | | | Bastet had body of a woman and head of a cat. |
| England, a black cat sitting in a house on a | | | | The goddess Bastet was associated with fertility, |
| wedding day is thought to bring good luck. In | | | | motherhood, grace and beauty. It was believed |
| Thailand, a Diamond eyed cat is believed to be a | | | | that the goddess Bastet controlled the fertility of |
| symbol of good luck. In South America, the Incas | | | | man and beast, cured illness and watched over |
| revered sacred cats, representations of which can | | | | the souls of the dead. The largest temple of |
| be seen in pre-Columbian Peruvian artifacts. The | | | | goddess Bastet was built in the ancient city of |
| earliest representations of domestic cat were | | | | Bubastis about 4500 years ago. Aelurus, an |
| Egyptian tomb paintings and sculpture. By the 5th | | | | Egyptian cat god, represented the moon. In |
| century B.C., images of cats appeared on Greek | | | | ancient Egypt, if a house caught fire, the rule |
| coins, and later they were depicted in Roman | | | | went like this, save pet cats first and humans |
| mosaics and paintings and on earthenware, coins | | | | second. In ancient Egypt, a person killing a cat |
| and shields. Cats have reputation for having nine | | | | was punishable by death. In ancient Egypt, after |
| lives. Cats are very affectionate towards human | | | | death of cats, they were mummified and |
| beings. The Siamese breed of cats are very | | | | decorated, some with rock crystal. The dead |
| affectionate towards people. Cats can recognize | | | | bodies of cats were then wrapped in rich |
| footsteps of their owner from hundreds of feet | | | | bandages of various colours. The mummified rats |
| away. Cats are easy to care as compared to | | | | and saucers of milk were kept near cats. The |
| dogs. Outdoor cats bury their faeces. Cats groom | | | | faces of cats were covered by masks on which |
| themselves with their saliva. The cats tongue, | | | | the nose, eyes, ears and whiskers were evident. |
| saliva and paws help in grooming cats themselves. | | | | The mummified cats were then placed in boxes |
| Cats groom themselves about twenty times in a | | | | made of wood or bronze. These boxes were |
| day. Kittens start cleaning or grooming | | | | then placed in cat tombs or pyramids. In ancient |
| themselves at the age of one month. All cats | | | | Egypt, the cat mummies outnumbered human |
| generally do not need bath. Cats are easiest to | | | | mummies. In an ancient capital city of Egypt, |
| care out of all domestic animals. Cats are most | | | | more than 300000 cat mummies were found in |
| independent domestic animals. Cats do not need | | | | 1890. The Egyptians believed that their gods took |
| care and attention. Cats are also small in size. Cats | | | | on the appearance of cats in order to pass down |
| also exercise themselves. Cats are most playful | | | | orders and omens. If a pet cat in ancient Egypt |
| out of all domestic animals. Kittens play | | | | died, then all the family members used to shave |
| themselves by batting and tossing small objects, | | | | their eyebrows as a sign of sorrow. If a pet cat |
| hunting and by jumping in and out of boxes. Cats | | | | in ancient Egypt died, then the entire family went |
| love to hide in cardboard boxes, drawer or | | | | into elaborate mourning with chanting and pounding |
| laundry basket. Kittens begin playing with toys at | | | | of chests as an outward sign of grief. The |
| the age of four weeks and their enjoyment | | | | Egyptians believed that divinities assumed the |
| becomes more elaborate as they grow. Kittens | | | | semblance of a cat, and so the high prists |
| that have free access to a terrace or garden will | | | | decreed divine orders and omens of the future |
| amuse themselves by running after a butterfly, | | | | according to its behaviour. The Egyptians |
| bug, insect or leaf. Cats enjoy being stroked by | | | | considered that that the cat's unblinking gaze gave |
| their owner. The gestation period of a cat is 63 | | | | it powers to seek out truth and to see into the |
| days. The average litter of cats consists of four | | | | afterlife. The ancient Egyptians used cats not only |
| kittens. Kittens are born blind, deaf and helpless. | | | | as hunters of mice but also as catchers of fish as |
| The eyes of kitten open at eight to ten days of | | | | well. The Egyptian Sun god Ra was believed to |
| age, and they begin to be weaned about six | | | | assume the form of a tomcat each night for his |
| weeks after birth. The senses of kitten begin to | | | | battle with the serpent of darkness. According to |
| function ten to twelve days after birth. Soon | | | | Roman Mythology, Diana the roman goddess of |
| after birth the mother cat licks her kittens, this | | | | hunting angered the giants by taking a cat form. |
| action cleans them and helps stimulate their | | | | In India cats were mentioned in Sanskrit writings |
| circulation. After birth of kittens, the mother cat | | | | around 100 B.C.. The Indian epics Ramayana and |
| take them to safe places. Scientific studies have | | | | Mahabharata, of about 500 B.C., both contain |
| shown that stroking a pet cat or kitten and | | | | stories about cats. The Indians at the time of |
| playing with a pet cat or kitten reduce stress and | | | | Ramayana and Mahabharata worshipped a feline |
| anxiety and lowers the blood pressure of its | | | | goddess of maternity called Sasti and for decades |
| owner. Cats can also learn to live with other | | | | Hindus were obliged to take responsibility for |
| domestic pets. The fur of cats is soft and | | | | feeding at least one cat. In India cats often played |
| beautiful. Cats are comfort - loving creatures, | | | | an important part in religious or occult ceremonies. |
| seemingly addicted to warmth and luxury. Cats | | | | Cats have the ability to predict earthquakes. Cats |
| also seem to grow fond of their owners, adopting | | | | have barometric sensitivity or sixth sense. Cats |
| them almost as parents. Cats are available in | | | | can forewarn us of coming storm, coming rainfall |
| many coat colours. Cats and kittens use litter | | | | and change in atmosphere. There is a popular |
| boxes or toilet and unlike dogs, cats do not need | | | | notion that states when a cat licks its paw or |
| to be walked. Dogs are not able to use litter box | | | | puts it in its ear, it is a sign of rain or a change in |
| and toilet and dogs need to be walked. Kittens | | | | atmosphere. Many legends, folklore, myths and |
| begin using litter box at just five or six weeks | | | | superstitions are associated with cats. Cats |
| age. The litter boxes of cats should be filled with | | | | appear in the mythology of ancient Greece and |
| sand, regular clay, clumping clay or wooden pallets. | | | | Rome. Cats are commonly mentioned in the fairy |
| Childrens and adults both enjoy playing with cats. | | | | tales, folklore and legends of many countries. |
| Kittens should be domesticated at the age of two | | | | Some people thought that witches could change |
| to four months. The weight of a newborn kitten | | | | themselves into cats. Today, people in ,many |
| is about hundred grams. Many cat magazines are | | | | societies believe that cats bring good fortune. |
| published in the USA , UK, and other countries | | | | Many people find cats mysterious because they |
| each year. Cats have been portayed in the works | | | | move swiftly and silently and because their eyes |
| of many great artists including Leonardo Da Vinci, | | | | seem to glow in the dark. Some people believe |
| Albrecht Durer, Paul Gauguin, Theodore Gericault, | | | | that a black cat crossing path of a person means |
| William Hogarth, Edouard Manet and Pablo Picasso. | | | | bad luck. Some people think that cats possess |
| Most cats like to become friendly with human | | | | magical powers while some people think cats as |
| beings while few of them want to be left alone. | | | | extraterrestrial creatures. Some people think that |
| Kittens are most playful out of all domestic | | | | cats have the ability to predict future. All cats are |
| animals. All kittens play by themselves by finding | | | | believed to have nine lives. In parts of UK , a cat |
| amusement or satisfaction with odd trinkets or | | | | washing its face with water is said to foretell rain. |
| by jumping in and out of boxes, hunting and | | | | In UK and Scotland, a black cat crossing path of a |
| poking, batting and tossing small objects. Kittens | | | | person means good luck. In America, white cats |
| also exercise themselves. Keeping cats as pets | | | | are thought to bring good luck. The Russian Blue |
| can bring cheerfulness and for the aged, | | | | breed of cats is considered lucky in Russia. Black |
| emotionally disturbed and prison population they | | | | cats in particular have long been regarded as |
| bring about amazing transformation. Cats can be | | | | having occult powers and as being the familiars of |
| lifesaver for their owner. A cat of UK saved his | | | | witches. White cats are thought to bring good luck |
| owner's life by signaling that the gas cooker had | | | | in USA. The famous cats in cartoon include Tom, |
| been left on with his paw. A cat named Mourka | | | | Garfield, Felix, Krazy kat, Top cat, Sylvester, |
| delivered vital messages from Russian scouts | | | | Courageous cat, Pink Panther, Cheshire cat and |
| about the enemy's gun replacements. According | | | | Azrael. |