Cats

I just saw "Inside Llewn Davis," which I thought was a good movie, although not a comedy as it was described. The film is set in 1961 and follows the events through a week or so of a talented-but- self-destructive folk singer. By far my favorite character was the cat, who was given the meaningful name of Ulysses at the very end of the movie. Ulysses, carried about in subway stations and on trains, was an unflappable survivor. A cat.

I'm a dog lover with the capacity to also love cats. These two species are very different from one another, but it's easy to embrace both. Having grown up on a farm with animals all around, it isn't hard to love all kinds of creatures, cats and dogs alike. What would a barn be, without kittens playing in the hay? How does anyone go on a walk without at least one dog tagging along?  I don't know.

I do know we're glad that we kept two of the foster kittens from the summer of 2012, and Eddy & Reuben are both glad as well. It makes one big ol' sloppy family.

My fabulous niece gave me Mary Oliver's recent book Dog Song, in which one of my favorite poems is "For I Will Consider My Dog Percy," styled after Christopher Smart's 18th century poem about his cat Jeoffrey.

Some day I'll share Mary Oliver's poem, but first here is the text from Christopher Smart's poem.

 "For I will Consider My Cat Jeoffrey" from Jubilate Agno.

For having done duty and received blessing he begins to consider himself.
For this he performs in ten degrees.
For first he looks upon his fore paws to see if they are clean.

For secondly he kicks up behind to clear away there.
For thirdly he works it upon stretch with the fore paws extended.
For fourthly he sharpens his paws by wood.

For fifthly he washes himself.
For sixthly he rolls upon wash.
For seventhly he fleas himself, that he may not be interrupted upon the beat.
For eighthly he rubs himself upon a post.

For ninethly he looks up for his instructions.

 For tenthly he goes in quest of food.

 For having considered God and himself he will consider his neighbor.

For if he meets another cat he will kiss her in kindness.

For when he takes his prey he plays with it to give it a chance.

For one mouse in seven escapes by his dallying.

For when his day is done his business more properly begins.

For he keeps the Lord's watch at night against the adversary.

For he counteracts the powers of darkness by his electrical skin and glaring eyes.

For he counteracts the Devil, who is death, by brisking about the life.

For in his morning orisons he loves the sun and the sun loves him.

Tiger at the Oregon Zoo in Portland

 For he is of the tribe of Tiger.

The love of dogs and cats and other animals is a special pleasure that I sincerely wish all people could get a chance to experience without allergies, aversions, or anxiety.  And if you do not love cats, I do hope you liked Christopher Smart's poem.