Whiskerito

Cats are ancient travelers in the story of life on Earth. Modern cats, in all their forms, have been around for at least ten million years. Their extraordinary adaptability is the secret to their success, allowing them to spread far and wide. From lions on the African plains to snow leopards perched high in the Himalayas, from desert sand cats to the tabby curled up on your couch, members of the cat family have managed to thrive almost everywhere.

For centuries, dogs and cats have been placed on opposite sides of a great rivalry. Popular culture repeats the saying “they fight like cats and dogs” so often that many people assume the two can never get along. Yet reality tells a more nuanced story. Dogs and cats are not natural enemies but very different species with unique ways of communicating and behaving. Under the right conditions, they can learn to live peacefully together, and some even form strong friendships.

Cats are among the most fascinating companions we welcome into our homes. For centuries they have inspired myths and stereotypes, often accused of being aloof or selfish simply because they enjoy moments of independence. Yet, anyone who has spent real time with cats knows that these creatures are far more social, sensitive, and affectionate than many give them credit for. The question most cat lovers eventually face is simple but important: should you share your life with one cat or with two? To understand the answer, it helps to look closely at how cats relate to one another and to us.

“I can demonstrate objectively that cats are of a great value.” That rather bold claim was made by none other than Ayn Rand, queen of rugged individualism, defender of uncompromising selfishness, and apparently enthusiastic admirer of furry creatures who refuse to do as they are told. In fact, Rand openly admitted her preference for cats, subscribed to a cat magazine, and even declared that her infatuation with feline photos served her survival. A philosopher justifying her cat pin as “the essence of cat” may sound eccentric, but perhaps she was on to something.

An ailurophile is, quite simply, a cat lover. There is an old Irish saying that warns, “Beware of people who dislike cats.” Whether one agrees or not, it captures the mysterious allure and divisive nature of our feline companions.

Algernon Charles Swinburne’s poem “To a Cat” is a radiant example of Victorian poetry’s capacity to elevate everyday subjects into realms of deeper philosophical and emotional resonance. While Swinburne is often remembered for his sensual and sometimes controversial verse, in this poem he offers a surprisingly intimate and respectful portrait of the feline companion. For the educated reader and committed cat lover, “To a Cat” reads as an unequivocal testament to the unique place cats hold within the household and the human heart.

Sometimes, vacation souvenirs are a little more unexpected, and livelier, than fridge magnets or postcards. This was certainly the case for a family returning from their Croatian holiday, whose homecoming took a dramatic and furry twist no one had seen coming.