July 12, 2009

Dear Obie,
When did cats first arrive in America?
Signed, Furby
Salem, Oregon


Dear Furby,
The history of cats in America is pretty fascinating. While some people may believe that cats were originally brought to America by explorers and settlers from Europe, many scientists do not believe that to be the case. DNA studies have led scientists to believe that cats lived in Asia as long as 11 million years ago, and in North America as long as 9 million years ago! That's a long time!

The cats that would have been found in North America 9 million years ago would have borne little resemblance to me or other cats you might see today. Our long-ago ancestors were hunters, carnivores that traveled from continent to still-forming continent on land bridges. They spread out through the vast jungles and prairies, hunting for their food, hiding from enemies, and I'll bet they were fearsome beasts, the kind of beast my sister Meeshka tries to be when she's chasing me!

So when did cats first start to become domesticated? Again, let's turn to our friendly scientists for that answer. It is believed that, during the Stone Age, cats learned that where there were humans, there was food. And where there was food, there would be mice and other rodents. So cats began to live near areas of human habitation. The humans didn't chase them away, because the cats served a useful purpose in keeping down the vermin populations, but cats did not become pets until much later.

About five thousand years ago, as the Egyptians became more and more experienced in gathering and storing grain, they were faced with a major mouse problem. The solution? Cats, of course. The Egyptians became the first culture to domesticate cats for their use, and, as they did, they became in awe of the cat. Its nature caused the Egyptians to revere it, and treat it as royalty, which, some say, the cat has never forgotten!

In the Middle Ages, however, cats faced persecution. Pope Gregory IX, an apparent cat hater, declared that cats were evil and should be destroyed. Millions of cats were killed, along with anyone who owned one. With the killing of the cats, however, came a huge increase in rats and mice, and millions of people died from the plagues they carried. Eventually, common sense won out and cats were once again allowed back into homes and villages.

Today's domesticated cat was first brought to America around 1600, traveling on trading ships, where they again carried out their task as killer of mouse and rat. The cats in America proved their worth, not only as pest control but as pets, and humans grew to love them and revere them again. Today, more households in America have cats as pets than any other animal!

And that is the history of cats in America! We've had our ups and downs, and there are still ignorant people who don't like cats or believe they are evil, but they are a clueless minority! Cats are great! And we're here to stay!

Your friend,
Obie

*****

A Cat's Prayer

Dear God, please send somebody who'll care.
I'm so tired of running and sick with despair.
My body is aching and filled with such pain;
And, dear God I pray, as I run in the rain
That someone will love me and give me a home,
A warm, cozy bed and food of my own.
My last owner left me alone in the yard,
I watched as they moved, and, God, that was hard.
So I waited a while, then went on my way
To rummage in garbage and live as a stray.
But now, God, I'm so tired and hungry and cold;
And I'm so afraid that I'll never grow old.
They've chased me with sticks and hit me with straps
While I run in the streets just looking for scraps.
I'm not really bad, God, please help if you can,
For I have become just a "Victim of Man."
I'm wormy and dirty and ridden with fleas;
And all that I want is an owner to please.
If you find one for me, I'll try to be good.
I won't scratch the carpet; I'll do as I should.
I'll love them and play with them and try to obey.
I will be so grateful if they'll let me stay.
I don't think I'll make it too long on my own,
Because I'm getting weak and I'm so all alone.
Each night as I sleep in the bushes I cry,
Because I'm so afraid, God, that I'm going to die.
I've got so much love and devotion to give
That I should be given a new chance to live.
So, dear God, please hear me, please answer my prayer,
And send me somebody who will REALLY care.
-Author Unknown

*****

I know the economy is bad and everyone is struggling to make ends meet, but the need for organizations like Salem Friends of Felines is as important as ever. If you can help in any way, please do! They do such wonderful things for the cats of the Salem area, cats that deserve to have loving homes. Thank you!
Obie