Climbing in the trees
Running on the ground
The birds are safe when they hear the sound;
The jingle of my cat collar with bell.
I know my owners
Listen out from the door,
I hear them calling me, more and more.
I come a running, harken to the sound
The jingle, jangle of my cat collar with bell,
Goes round and round.
Safe in the house
Eating my treat
I soon recline on my very own seat and silence
The tingle of my cat collar with bell.
Up and awake
I've had my nap
I dash about the house with my owners in a flap;
To the chorus of my cat collar with bell.
Catspaw
Cats and Their Mews has something for everyone including cat collar with bell. Visit me online.
Wednesday, February 29, 2012
Tuesday, February 28, 2012
Sailor and the Ruined Castle, Con't
He started off again picking his way and carefully jumping from rock to stone. At one point his hind leg slipped and went down into the estuary. Sailor hastily retrieved it and shook it wildly before licking off the rest of the moisture before continuing on. The sky was a pure dark blue as the ruins and trees reflected themselves in the waters below. Sailor paused a moment, squatting on a stone. As he pricked his ears to listen he heard nothing, absolutely nothing. No bird flew, no frog jumped, not even a cricket chirped. He look about nervously remembering the reason no one ever ventured this way.
Catspaw
Catspaw
Monday, February 27, 2012
A Cat's Prayer
I am very sensitive to animals and I never have really understood the reason until today. Everything the Lord made in creation reflects His honor but because we don't recognize God in our lives we don't see His hand in creation. When we dishonor animals and creation we dishonor, not only our Creator and Savior but ourselves. When we debase any part of the earth, we debase ourselves. However there are some pockets of God's creation, like animals because of their innocence, that remain untarnished by us and its these that some of us are sensitive to.
The growing mind, filled with the love of Jesus, searches creation for the message: God the Creator be praised! Because of our spiritual and natural gifts each of us is able to see and hear them in particular areas more than in others. For me, its animals. And we are enabled to take this creation material and identify it, shape it, reconfigure it or in other ways use it so that God is further glorified. The carpenter works with wood; the physician listens to the body; the musician shapes sounds; the educator trains youth; the researcher analyzes, innovates and implements with the elements of the universe. We develop our minds for these tasks and rejoice as we do them for all that God is revealing to us out of His loving and forgiving heart.
What is your toughest decision today? Pray over it and search God's word for advice. Its there for the accepting.
The growing mind, filled with the love of Jesus, searches creation for the message: God the Creator be praised! Because of our spiritual and natural gifts each of us is able to see and hear them in particular areas more than in others. For me, its animals. And we are enabled to take this creation material and identify it, shape it, reconfigure it or in other ways use it so that God is further glorified. The carpenter works with wood; the physician listens to the body; the musician shapes sounds; the educator trains youth; the researcher analyzes, innovates and implements with the elements of the universe. We develop our minds for these tasks and rejoice as we do them for all that God is revealing to us out of His loving and forgiving heart.
What is your toughest decision today? Pray over it and search God's word for advice. Its there for the accepting.
Catspaw
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Sunday, February 26, 2012
Sailor and the Ruined Castle
Here is the story I've just started working on... As promised, I will post a part of
it every day to every other day so come back again to read the next exploit in the adventure that
Sailor undertakes in his journey to uncover the mystery of the ruined castle.
Chapter One
Catspaw
Chapter One
Sailor
hesitated at the edge of the enclosed lake, from this vantage point
he could see what he'd journeyed here for. The old dilapidated white
fence was still leaning against some trees on the other side; it
would be a small matter to attain the castle side of the briny, he
just had to travel from rock to rock all the way around. It was late
autumn and nature was browning up before winter struck, but there
were still some trees with green left on them. The sun was so warm
and soft as it illuminated the ruins of the baked and brown castle
that Sailor felt himself starting to doze. But No! He shook himself
awake, he had to ford the lagoon and reach the monument by nightfall
at the very latest, everything depended on it now.
Can you find the white fence? |
Catspaw
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Sailor and the Ruined Castle
Saturday, February 25, 2012
Post Surgery; Sassy and Winston
A newly spayed Sassy at home, note her eyes are fixed & dilated from the sedative |
Sassy goes into her 'flip-flop' routine and he serenades her and that as far as it goes because of her rejection of him. So the idea that indoor cats, especially related ones, will mate for the sake of, is completely untrue. He's also started this continual serenading at night, just at bedtime of course.
For the trip down they were quiet and calm in their carriers seeming to enjoy the ride; they were the same when I left them at the vets. Upon collecting them, they were awake and quiet for the ride home too. Only on getting them in the door and settled in again at home did I notice Sassy could hardly stand and walked drunkenly about; at times she plain fell right over!
I had to pick her up and carry her |
Sassy can't walk straight |
Sassy keeled over |
Resting |
Emmy |
She's not alone with family |
She's still pretty dopey in this pic |
A special 'Hi' from Winston who is doing great |
Food for thought; please remember that the SPCA and other Vet Clinics really need whatever supplies and food, even Canadian Tire money, that you can spare. Say thanks to them this way too.
Catspaw
Friday, February 24, 2012
New Story Coming
For the last week I've been working on a new short story that I am preparing to share with my readers. Since it has been developing into a longer story, I'm going to present a little of it each day or every other day so stay tuned to this Blog over the next few weeks.
Thank you to all my visitors and readers. This is a special project just for you.
Catspaw
Thank you to all my visitors and readers. This is a special project just for you.
Catspaw
Thursday, February 23, 2012
Barn Cats And a Yellow Lab
I might have told you this before but we live on a small dairy that is also a registered cat colony and there is one dog, a yellow lab who also calls it home. Its not immediately obvious that its a cat colony because most of the cats wander across the road into the bush and the dairy itself is fairly large. Many of the cats have been spayed and neutered but there are a few who refuse to be caught, so every spring a certain amount of kittens are to be expected. For those females who will allow it, the owner's wife takes care of her and the litter but there are some that are feral and are content, it seems, to remain that way. Its a job to even find the little ones when they are of age to be fixed and traps have to be set for them as they are not all people-friendly.
Rory, the yellow lab doesn't like anyone to notice the fact that he
likes the cats. They are always around his feet and follow him wherever
he goes. He gets very embarrassed when its he's being watched with his
little buddies. Its funny to watch him almost trip over them when the larger kittens are walking in and through his legs because he's so careful not to step on them.
Rory is a big lovable mooch but he's also terrified of thunder and will mow you down if you're in the room with him; strangely, he won't hurt the cats.
Catspaw
One of Rory's buddies |
The barn cats follow him everywhere |
Rory is a big lovable mooch but he's also terrified of thunder and will mow you down if you're in the room with him; strangely, he won't hurt the cats.
Catspaw
Wednesday, February 22, 2012
The Peculiarity of Cats
Emmy pounding on the patio door |
peculiar, if not downright
eccentric behaviors that can
border on total weirdness at
times. Emerald's habit of getting
up on her hind legs and furiously
pawing at the window when she
wants to go outside or come in;
or her way of sneaking and
snatching treats from the other
cats by cautiously stretching out
her paw on the piece she wants
and pulling it to herself.
Emmy, "I bethink I got something"! |
Molly & Emmy, partners in crime |
On occasion I've caught Molly stealing treats the same way and she never used to. Both Molly and Emmy have a taste for a pat of butter every now and again at lunchtime; they also like raw/cooked bacon, pork chops and cheese.
Cats do learn from watching each other, a few years ago when we lived in our trailer, Molly taught Sassy how to tear through the window screen to get outside. The two of them plotted together and accomplished the same thing when we moved to the island. So much for keeping them as indoor cats! Lately Emerald has been deciding for herself when she wants her treats and the other three pick up on that; all head for the kitchen and wait expectantly for me to follow. I could literally teach Emmy to dance for her treat if I put enough work into it!
Meanwhile Winston has developed an affinity for the dryer...
and the dehydrator
Sassy likes to be rambunctious with her daughter, Emerald.
Tuesday, February 21, 2012
There Really is a Breed of Cat Called Munchkin!
A Munchkin is a breed of cat with very short and small legs! They were first observed in the 40's, then disappeared off the proverbial map after World War Two. When they resurfaced, not one but two, munchkin cats were rediscovered in the 1980's when they were bred. Lucky thing they were male and female - what are the odds! Their extremely short legs are not a handicap to these totally unique cats; they are as active as the rest of the feline race.
Lets face it, when it comes to strange
cats, as usual the Egyptians have outdone the rest of the world. Not
only was their god Bast a cat woman but they even have a cat called
Sphinx! I simply don't agree with what most people consider ugly;
these are hairless cats, now whether this is a natural breed or
they've been deliberately bred this way I don't know, but they are the
same as any other cat with the exception of requiring special care.
Obviously they didn't need cats with fur in a country as hot and arid
as Egypt if they were bred to have no fur. They still have the coloring though; I wonder if they sweat?
The beautiful Norwegian Forest cat has
very long, thick fur to insulate the animal and help it survive the freezing cold winters
of Norway. We can credit the Vikings for their being with us today, as
they brought them over when the cats accompanied them on their ships when
they sailed round their part of the world. Apparently they have been
found to be very loyal pets; owners have to give them a great
deal of interaction. They excel in hunting and may, on occasion,
bring home dinner.
One of my favorites is the Scottish
Fold. This cat is a totally unique darling of the cat world and its all due to its ears. They don't grow much from
kittenhood on and never stand up but instead, fold down when the kitten is three
weeks old. They are basically adult cats that still have that
adorable kitten look about them and they keep that throughout their
natural lives.
The American Curl got its name also
because of its ears. The cats ears actually curl backward and down;
this happens in this particular breed of cat only. Now get this, to
qualify for professional cat shows, the ears cannot touch the cat's
skull. They can only curl like this kitty's ears; this specialty breed was bred
to be this way from the 1980's and has gained its fair share of
popularity and notoriety in the world of cats.
Catspaw
Monday, February 20, 2012
New Technology For A Cat Collar With Bell
There
many people and pet owners nowadays who are concerned that a cat
collar with bell is harmful to the cat. Being a cat owner myself, I
have four of my own and at times, they have worn a cat collar with
bell. There are mixed opinions that these collars are dangerous to
the animal so the industry has produced break-away cat collar with
bell. These have helped to save many a feline's life because they
snap open, giving instant freedom, should the cat become entangled or
trapped somewhere. Whether the entrapment is the result of the cat
collar with bell itself or just the kitty being caught is unknown.
What is known is cat collar with bell that are break-aways have saved
lives.
Catspaw
Now
there is a new type of cat collar with bell on the market that has
become available online. In an effort to help counteract the
escalating death rate of masses of wild bird species that are being
slowly eradicated by our domesticated pets each year, this new cat
collar with bell is a unique new technology. The cat collar with bell
in fact sends an audio and visual alarm that is triggered by the cats
own mobility when it propels itself at a bird, giving our feathered
friends the critical time they need to escape. Seems the modulation
of the audio alarm is menacing only to the birds but has no effect,
harmful or otherwise, to cats or humans, making the purrfect cat
collar with bell for your pet.
One
survey out of the UK documents that up to 75 million fowl, of
differing species, are dispatched every year by their 7.5 million
domestic cat population; not only that but this alarming survey
points to the fact that its the songbirds, like thrushes, that have
endured the most unrelenting drop in their numbers in recent years.
Because our felines employ varying methods to pursue their prey,
these movements don't activate the alarm on the cat collar with bell
so your pet cat can still stalk mice and rats without any impedance
from the cat collar with bell.
Finally
owners and lovers of our pet cats have the power to protect and
preserve the birds that land in our baths and eat from the feeders we
take such pains to put out each spring. We can now make their
environment safer for them and for our cats without reducing the
little carnivores instinctive behavior to hunt. Another perk is that
you can purchase them as a cat collar with bell or without, as only
80 percent of them are fitted with bells. So, what am I going on
about? Its called the Liberator®! Lightweight, about the mass of a
matchbox, comfy and lasts a long time. Meticulously tested, it
forewarns intended prey while at the same time doesn't diminish
kitty's natural movements or responses. This new product was created
as a reaction to investigative findings that cat collar with bell has
absolutely no effect in curtailing the sheer volume of birds cats
destroy each year.
The
cat collar with bell or without, is £11.95 and a money-back
guarantee, you can call the Liberator® hotline @ 01480 414012 to
order. For more information go to
http://www.prnewswire.co.uk/cgi/news/release?id=37901
Catspaw
Sunday, February 19, 2012
Did You Know - Your Domestic Cat is Really A Felid!
Felidae, the biological ancestry of cats; each individual is called a felid and are the most
methodical carnivores of the thirteen earthbound families in the order carnivora. The most
well known felid is our very own domestic cat who first allied themselves with humans
about 10,000 years ago. The subfamily that our house friendly pets belong to is the Felinae which includes the cougar, cheetah, lynx and ocelot. The very first felids appeared during
the Oligocene 25 million years ago. Back in prehistory, a third subfamily existed, the
Machairodontinae and included the saber tooth bunch like the Smilodons.
Other catlike mammals consisted of the marsupial sabertooths Thylacosmilus and
Nimravidae; they have not been added to the felidae in spite of their superficial affinity
to cats we know today.
With 41 known species of felids, they are all descendants of the same ancestor. Originating in Asia, they soon extended their reach across the continents, crossing the land bridges of
ancient times into every country in the world. These primordial cats developed into the
eight main genealogies that deviated throughout at least the last ten exoduses from
continent to mainland by way of the Bering land bridge and the Isthmus of Panama; the
Panthera genus was the oldest to come across while the Felis the youngest. Its been
surmised that at the most, 60 percent of all the contemporary species of cats have
flourished over the last million years.
Today the felids are still a fast emerging dynasty of mammals that claim a common
ancestor just 10–15 million years ago. Inside this pedigree our common domestic cats
(Felis catus) are a part of the genus felis, a category of pint sized cats comprising of just
seven species. Representatives of this genus are to be found globally; among them are
the Jungle Cat, the (Felis chaus) who makes its home in southeast Asia.
African Wildcats (Felis silvestris lybica). This kitty's diet consists primarily of mice, rats and small mammals. Given the opportunity it will also feed on birds, reptiles, amphibians and bugs. |
The Chinese Mountain Cat (Felis bieti), also known as a desert cat survives in western China.This is a highly elusive animal that can only be found today in Chinese Zoo's - there are only 6 in the world!
Arabian Sand Cat (Felis margarita). Also known as the sand dune cat. Its found in African and Asian deserts, it lives quite nicely in arid areas too hot and too dry even for the Wildcat. The Sahara, Arabian desert and deserts of Iran and Pakistan are its native habitats.
Hope you enjoyed this.
Catspaw
Saturday, February 18, 2012
The Tale of a Cat Collar With Bell
Boo |
He was a pint-sized black kitten with a touch of white; a blind, small, slight creature when I first rescued him that dark winter day in the cold barn. When, months later, he regained his strength and a little more growth, I gave him his very first cat collar with bell. Boo loved it and would shake his little head just to hear his cat collar with bell jingle. Many years later I was to find out that he was a Tuxedo cat and considered by experts to be very clever. Boo was indeed cagey enough to achieve the removal of his cat collar with bell and not a couple of times, to lose it as well. Of course this sent me searching the entire trailer for his cat collar with bell and scrutinizing each blade of grass outside for it. I usually managed to find the cat collar with bell for him again.
Poor Boo, he genuinely missed his cat collar with bell the few times he lost it; so much so that he'd follow me out of doors to help look for it. As he grew older I had to extend his cat collar with bell for him. Boo didn't care for this because he wasn't wearing it and he insisted on having his cat collar with bell close by so he'd play with it and grab it out of my hands. Later, when another of our cats would try to play with his cat collar with bell, Boo would give them a whack and take it back. The cat collar with bell was his and his alone; no one was allowed to touch it! He was certainly not about to part with or share his cat collar with bell; that was just understood. After we'd had him for several years, Boo traveled with us on that memorable seven day road trip across Canada, that I'd like to forget, when we moved from Alberta to Prince Edward Island. I had the cats in my van so I was privileged to listen to a constant barrage of complaining and his cat collar with bell whenever he moved or shook his head, which was often!
Boo was very disdainful of his bath time since it meant separation from his favorite toy, his cat collar with bell for the period of the bath; a long interval for him. It typically happened that he would reach over with one paw (his dry paw) and snatch the cat collar with bell when I was otherwise occupied. He'd drag it into the water and play with the cat collar with bell while I shampooed him. Well at least it kept him busy so he didn't mind as much. It quickly proved quite impossible to separate him from his darn cat collar with bell when it was sopping wet and set to dry on the register; he'd sneak in and steal it! Before long I'd hear the jingle of the cat collar with bell and discover Boo playing with and dragging it about the house.
On occasion I had to mount a reconnaissance when they roughhoused in the basement and a loud, angry yowl would go up; Boo got the cat collar with bell off again but one of the other cats had absconded with it. My retrieval missions for the cat collar with bell were routinely successful and Boo was, to his great delight and to the peace of the rest of the house, was happily reunited.
After we lost him a year ago, I kept his cat collar with bell as a living reminder of a very special cat who once graced us with his special friendship and shared our lives for awhile. I miss hearing his cat collar with bell. So much so that every now and again I almost think I hear his cat collar with bell dinging faintly through the house. I still go looking for the sound only to find his cat collar with bell still hanging right where I left it. I miss you, Boo.
Here is to one of our best friends, our unique Tux cat Boo; in memory of him and his cat collar with bell.
Catspaw
Friday, February 17, 2012
Stray Cat Poem
This was written by by Zachariah Atteberry
of Hannibal, Missouri.
I shall become a stray
To live the mournful life,
As a cast-a-way.
Abandoned like all the rest
buried like past in the sand
I will surely remember the past
As I leave paw prints in the land.
Shipwrecked away far from my home
I meow, with a fellow purr at the door
they now have a kitten all cuddly and warm
A younger cat, for them to adore.
We grow old and dusty
Thrown away like trash
Why do I still ponder...
I figure I might as well crash.
I still wander this land
One day soon to depart --
I leave paw prints in the sand
Perhaps... for another human to take heart.
Catspaw
She was thrown away and found again... |
The cat in the picture is a cat one of my friends rescued. She was
found in a ditch in a trash can (that's really what its coming to these
days!).
Well they gave her a good home.
Fore When I grow old Well they gave her a good home.
I shall become a stray
To live the mournful life,
As a cast-a-way.
Abandoned like all the rest
buried like past in the sand
I will surely remember the past
As I leave paw prints in the land.
Shipwrecked away far from my home
I meow, with a fellow purr at the door
they now have a kitten all cuddly and warm
A younger cat, for them to adore.
We grow old and dusty
Thrown away like trash
Why do I still ponder...
I figure I might as well crash.
I still wander this land
One day soon to depart --
I leave paw prints in the sand
Perhaps... for another human to take heart.
Catspaw
Thursday, February 16, 2012
Does Your Cat Do This Too?
Last year I had Molly and Emerald spayed and since then their appetites have gone through the roof, along with their weight. They are totally consumed with a concern for eating that borders on obsession! Whether its treats or food doesn`t seem to matter; once they hear that can opener they just assume its for them and I`m surrounded by four caterwauling cats demanding to be fed. (Every time I use the can opener!)
I`m looking into some strategies to curb this new trend before it gets further out of hand. If any of you have an idea or two to share, I`d really appreciate it. Please share it with me in my comment box.
Thank you in advance.
Catspaw
I`m looking into some strategies to curb this new trend before it gets further out of hand. If any of you have an idea or two to share, I`d really appreciate it. Please share it with me in my comment box.
Thank you in advance.
Catspaw
Wednesday, February 15, 2012
A Readers Narration
Quote: “I don't really have much of
a story, we had a white color mini poodle who died then we got three
cats from the SPCA . :) We got a Maine-Coon that was about 10 years
old, she seemed lonely. :)
So we got a Tux Boy that was only about 1 year old but he was too much energy for the Maine-Coon :)
And then we got a several month old ginger Tabby to play with the Tux as he is very high energy. :)
Our Tux cat is like a dog, he is smart and he nods his head at you to say hello. :) He always gives you a double head nod as a way to say hi. :) It's funny, as he's like a person since people often nod too. :)” End Quote
So we got a Tux Boy that was only about 1 year old but he was too much energy for the Maine-Coon :)
And then we got a several month old ginger Tabby to play with the Tux as he is very high energy. :)
Our Tux cat is like a dog, he is smart and he nods his head at you to say hello. :) He always gives you a double head nod as a way to say hi. :) It's funny, as he's like a person since people often nod too. :)” End Quote
I decided to see if I could find some
pictures of a Maine-Coon and a Tux Boy, here's what I came up with.
A Tux is a Tuxedo cat and I didn't realize it but I believe Molly and Boo were Tux's! Go figure, the things you learn huh!
Pictures of Maine Coons |
Pictures of Tuxedo cats |
Picture of Boo, the baby I lost just last year was definitely a Tux Cat! |
Molly, Tux Cat! |
Labels:
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Tuesday, February 14, 2012
Cat Foods Made From You're Own Larder
Molly & Sassy |
I removed the grinder to a chorus of
curious meows and yips of expectation, then dug around in the depths
of no-mans-land - the fridge - to see what was plotting my downfall
because it was left for too long. Sure enough, I struck the dreaded leftovers to add to the raw pigeon I had just unthawed. Yep, I was
not disappointed to find chicken, meatballs and a potato or two. That
would be just enough for the next batch of natural kitty food. My
hubby did the honors with the pigeon that he plucked and gutted for me.
Raw Pigeon, the whole bird |
They are small birds so I just cut it
in half and ground it up with a bit of water – yes, bones and all;
the entire bird!
Pigeons look a lot like chickens but smaller |
I ran it through several times to make sure the
bones were ground and rifled through the end product to assess both
the consistency and the lack of bone fragments. Having satisfied
myself to that end, I deboned the remaining chicken with the skin,
fat and jelled juices, threw in the meatballs with two potatoes and ground it all together to form this yummy
looking concoction:
consistency of can cat food; all meat |
Its quite alright to add a little
cooked potato for bulk but I don't add more than two pieces. Put this
mixture an air tight plastic container, pop it in the fridge. Combine
with canned cat food or serve as is. I know my cats will enjoy the
change of venue because I tried them on it first to make sure. Little bits of
meat when I was making dinner showed me they would not hesitate. If
you try this yourself you will find that they won't eat much at one
time, this is because its natural food and fills their tummies for
longer periods. It has all the nutrition they need and its 95 % pure
meat. It does need to be refrigerated as it will go rancid if left
out.
Emerald enjoying the homemade kitty food |
Good Luck and let me know what happens if you decide to do this yourself. I'd appreciate and welcome your comments/feedback.
Catspaw
Monday, February 13, 2012
Capricious Antiquated Knowledge....
You friendly neighborhood Ant |
http://www.spectrumpestmanagement.com/ants.html
Ants
- They are thought to
indicate when lousy weather is on the way because they become very distraught.
So
the
obvious question here being, how can you tell when ants are upset? And the notion that stepping
on ants, whether one or many is unclear, will bring down the rain; are
we talking Noah's Flood or just a spring shower? So many of these
old wives tales are ill-defined.
Apparently when ants construct a nest near the door of your humble abode its
an unmistakable sign of financial safety for your future. A
good thing when you have to start repairs to the foundation and get the ants out of your house.
Bat swarming for a night of feeding (on bugs) |
Bats
– These flying, searching stomachs indicate a long life and felicity,
considered a good omen in China and Poland. Quote: 'If a bat lands on
your head, you should hope (What??)
the Cricket sees rain coming because (OK,
lets try this again)
the bat won't get off until it hears thunder'. End Quote (?????)
It was worth the laugh anyway.
Busy Bee Hive |
Bees
- If a bee buzzes its way into your home it's a sure sign that a
visitor is soon to be at your door. Ya,
the Bee! If
a bee shoots into any house its either a sign of great
good luck or it foreshadows the approach of a unfamiliar person and
the luck will remain in the home only if the bee is given free rein
to stay for as long as it decides or navigates out by its own choice.
Anybody
allergic to bees out there?
Seagull in flight |
http://animals.nationalgeographic.com/animals/birds/
Birds
- Ireland... a superstition exists that states if a bird poops on
your car, you
guessed it,
its good luck. Unless
of course you have to pay to clean it off or scrub it yourself. A bird with excellent aerial skills and better aim
'drops' its load on your head, again its considered good luck. How
is this good luck again?? I should have told that to the lady who was
interviewing me for a position at a veterans shelter years ago. That
seagull was dead on!
Ok so you knew this was coming...
He or She may not be black but its sure scary! Enlarged for full appreciation. |
Cat
- Norse legends are rich sources of stories about the gods of
old that were created by primitive peoples, this one tells of the
chariot of Freya the witch - note that in
other tails she is a goddess -
well this ancient conveyance was pulled by two black cats that could shape-shift into black
horses, how convenient is that! They were extremely fleet of paw and for certain demoniacal.
Freya: Shapeshifter, Mistress of Cats, Queen of Valkyries |
Freya as a witch |
So after serving Freya for seven long years the cats were rewarded with becoming witches but were still disguised as black cats.
After
seven years of service you'd think Freya could do better.
This
may have been what led to the medieval belief that black cats were
always to be considered the familiars of witches and after seven
years (still as cats for 14 years?)
became witches themselves. Confusing,
are they referring to the said witch or the cat who is the witch?
Its
very commonly believed if a black cat should cross your path that its
bad luck, well
it may be worse than you think for
Satan is taking notice of you.
Bast |
Now
a few ancient beliefs from Egypt, tails tell that cats were divine to
the goddess, Isis. Bast or Pasht was the female offspring of the
goddess and as such she was portrayed with the aspect of a cat. Head
or facial features of a cat with the body of a human. High
born Egyptian or low, accidental or intentional (highly unlikely), those who ended the
life of a cat faced their own demise and likely not a pleasant one.
Egyptian Mau Kittens |
Archaeologists
have found extensive cat cemeteries in Egypt where shipments of
centuries old embalmed cats were taken back to England and put on
exhibit in museums.
Mummified Cat |
Egyptian Cat Mummies |
The natives of this land also regarded it as a given that black cats
who crossed one's path conveyed good luck.
In
East Anglia, England, people would continue the practice of
mummifying cats and placing them inside the walls of their homes as a
means to deter evil spirits.
Mostly Black Kitty - love those eyes |
Cats have always been welcomed aboard ships as good luck. They are viewed as unfailing weather prognosticators; should a cat sneeze rain is coming; as a kitty sits with back to the fire, this is indicative of a storm. Question, what if you don't have a fireplace?
That must be why I watch the weather network.
Sunshine is commmming!!!! |
You be the judge.
Catspaw
Labels:
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Insects,
Mistress of Cats,
Monster,
Monster Cat,
Norse Legends,
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