World Cat Day 2014

Posted on by Teagan Riordain Geneviene

veil_of_sky_open_Lilith copyAuthors and Cats

How could I miss World Cat Day?  But I almost did!  I’ve absolutely no idea why my cats were letting me overlook it. They probably meant to let me know at some point between their after lunch nap and their mid-afternoon nap.  If not, then before their pre-dinner nap.

There have been many wonderful feline characters in books and film.  (Forgive me for including Lilith, the calico from Atonement, Tennessee in that.)  Also, many great authors were cat people.  Whether you are a writer or a reader, I hope you will enjoy seeing a few of them.

Joyce Carol Oates

Joyce Carol Oates — “I write so much because my cat sits on my lap. She purrs so I don’t want to get up. She’s so much more calming than my husband.”

Jean Cocteau with Karoun

Jean Cocteau — “I love cats because I enjoy my home; and little by little, they become its visible soul.”

Neil Gaiman

Neil Gaiman — “I’m going to have a much harder time one day, months or even years from now, explaining why I miss the meanest, grumpiest and most dangerous cat I’ve ever encountered.”

Ernest Hemingway

Ernest Hemingway — “A cat has absolute emotional honesty: human beings, for one reason or another, may hide their feelings, but a cat does not.”

Jack Kerouac

Jack Kerouac  — “Holding up my purring cat to the moon I sighed.” – American Haiku, 1959

Stephen King

Stephen King — “It might be that the biggest division in the world isn’t men and women but folks who like cats and folks who like dogs.”

Margaret Mitchell

Margaret Mitchell — “Nothing but the sight of blood upon his dark face would ease the pain in her heart. She lunged for him, swift as a cat, but with a light startled movement, he sidestepped, throwing up his arm to ward her off. She was standing on the edge of the freshly waxed top step, and as her arm with the whole weight of her body behind it, struck his out-thrust arm, she lost her balance. She made a wild clutch for the newel post and missed it. She went down the stairs backwards, feeling a sickening dart of pain in her ribs as she landed. And, too dazed to catch herself she rolled over and over to the bottom of the flight.” ― Gone with the Wind

And last but not least…

Mark Twain

Mark Twain — “While the rest of the species is descended from apes, redheads are descended from cats.”

Aspen, Crystal, and I wish you a happy World Cat Day!

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40 thoughts on “World Cat Day 2014”

  1. Word cat day? I can´t believe this thing. Is there now a days a day in which we don´t dedicate it to something…..might as well do the world REALLY fun day. Or the World do what you want day, this last one I must make it happen.

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    1. Felines the world over twitch their tails — of course there should be a World Cat Day. 😀
      World Do What You Want Day is a fabulous idea. Nearly as good as leaving your job, saying just two words, and walking out the door! Now *that’s* fun. Ummm… i might be a bad influence.

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      1. no no, you´re a good influence. Being how I am, well the job thing I already did quite a few times, to send my boss to hell and walk away, so you better come up with something better.

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      1. It was great teagan. I used to be a cat owner, sorry, owned by a cat for 18 years. When he passed I couldn’t bring myself to get another one.
        Cheers
        Laurie.

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          1. I never thought that losing a cat would make me cry so hard. It’s been 12 years and I still miss the big lump.

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          2. It doesn’t help but… I think one time in our lives we are blessed to have a pet that is so extraordinarily special… that the pain of loss never completely goes away. I still cry over the one that passed too soon, about 13 years ago.
            I love the two i have now, every bit as much as i could love anyone or anything, and they give back just as much in return. But the other one is forever in my heart and frequently on my mind.
            Great-big-hug.

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    1. Thanks so much Gill. Oh — a new kitty parent, how wonderful! Yes, if you observe and listen, your cat will train you quickly. LOL. I don’t kid myself — i’m the one who is trained, not the cats. Really, they are wonderful companions.
      That was quite an adventurous bus ride you had! I hope your paperwork gets straightened out. Hugs!

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  7. I’m with you, Teagan. I love all animals (well, maybe not some insects), but cats seem to like me so there we are…

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  9. i belong to the category that loves both- cats and dogs. 🙂

    well, maybe they were just testing whether you remembered their big day… like the spouse who doesnot tells that it is marriage anniversary and waits and watches with a hawkish expression?

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  10. Happy cat day, we have two beautiful Maine Coon cats, they are so sweet natured for such big cats. And are curled up beside me on the sofa in front of the fire (it’s winter here)

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    1. Welcome Ch’kara! What a beautiful peaceful image. Maine Coons have a lovely coat for winter, but all kitties love the warmth of a fire. I don’t know what “moon” you might have where you are… but some Native American traditions call this one the Corn Moon, so i’ll wish you its blessings anyway. Hugs!

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  14. I am a cat person, too, but my husband is now allergic to their fur. I grew up with cats and even took my cat when I moved to the USA. Back then my new husband was fine. We had another cat when my children were younger. One of my daughters was totally in sync with this cat and it was amazing to watch them.
    I love how you have tied writers and cats. Several are among my favorites. Purring post, Teagan.

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  15. Hi Andrea. I’m so glad you commented. I think that applies to any animal we cherish and bond with. I’d be lost without mine.
    When i was a child, Daddy called me Ellie Mae (as in Clampett) because i loved all animals so much and wanted a pet of everything i saw. (That’s not to say i got it. LOL) I don’t imagine that shows in the serial story… with all the animal characters… No… you’d never guess that. 😉
    Hugs!

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  16. Great post Teagan – I had five cats for many years, though have a dog now. These are wonderful quotes about cats, I particularly love the one from Jean Cocteau, but I’ll just adapt it to cats and dogs because our cats were the soul of this particular house for the years they were here and now our dog is the soul of the house!

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  17. Reblogged this on Smorgasbord – Variety is the spice of life and commented:
    World Cat Day – Teagan celebrates the cat muses of the famous and of course her own. I have never gone out to obtain a cat. I have always had dogs – however, several cats have found me. Neighbours cats who have adopted me, usually as a peaceful haven away from young children or invasive canines, or they have been completely feral and decided that in some previous life I was a cat mother. I enjoy them – the ones I have met have been aloof but empathetic and when they felt I needed some TLC they gave unreservedly. When we adopt our next dog I intend to adopt a cat too – young so that they grew up together.

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  18. Apologies for the belated Happy Cat Day. No doubt somewhere Oscar is preparing to make me suffer for missing it. Take heart- He was good at his job.
    xxx Massive Hugs to you all xxx

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    1. Thank you David. I think Oscar is always keeping a loving eye on you. How else do you think that fish (you mentioned in your blog) managed to jump from the tank and nearly land on you (or i think you said it landed on your bed)? I think Oscar was showing his affection. 🙂 Huge hugs!

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    1. Hi Cindy. Thanks for taking a minute to comment. I know there was a great photo with Truman Capote and his cat… and i couldn’t find it for the post. But i guess i had to stop somewhere. Hugs! 🙂

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    1. Hi Debra. Thanks for dropping by — and for the post at your blog about Aging Pets Month (also August). I’m glad i could do this one in a way that dog folks could also enjoy. Hugs! 🙂

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  23. Reblogged this on kraftycatcreations and commented:
    As I am sitting here petting one of my cats, I have just discovered it was World Cat Day! Teagan’s Books has put together a blog for the occasion which celebrates several cat-loving authors (including herself) and their fluffballs of affection.

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