The Book of the Cat

The origins of the cat have always intrigued people, and even today there’s still some mystery around where they truly came from. Some historians believe cats appeared around the same time as horses, while ancient texts—like Sanskrit writings from over 2,000 years ago—mention them clearly. Even earlier evidence comes from ancient Egypt , where cats were honored, preserved, and even mummified. These records give us some of our best clues about how cats became part of human life. Of course, alongside history, there are plenty of myths and legends about how cats came to be. One of the more entertaining stories comes from an old Arabian tale. According to the legend, when Noah gathered animals onto the Ark, people worried about having a lion on board. To calm things down, Noah prayed—and the lion was struck with a fever, making it harmless. But another problem quickly appeared: mice began destroying food and supplies. Once again, Noah prayed for help. This time, the lion sneezed—and out ...

Introduction There are an estimated 40,000 books about cats—so why add another? I asked myself that, and the answer came quickly: why not? I’ve had five cats so far—four rescues and one farm cat—and each gave me far more than I gave them. Now, at 70, I’m about to adopt a sixth, and I feel the same excitement I did nearly 50 years ago with my first cat, Oscar. Writing this book felt like a way to better understand cats—their nature, their behavior, and their subtle (and not-so-subtle) ways of communicating with us… if we can even call ourselves their owners. So here it is. I hope you enjoy reading it as much as I enjoyed writing it. Cat lovers have long wanted a book that talks about cats in a simple, enjoyable way—not just for breeders, but for anyone who genuinely likes them. That’s the goal here: to share years of experience in a way that’s both useful and easy to read. Whether you’re into pedigrees and show cats or just love having a cat around, this book aims to offer something for...