First Steps with Cats
by Michael
(London UK)
My first encounter with a cat - perhaps
My first steps with cats. Here is a picture that I would like to share with my friends and colleagues on PoC of me with perhaps my first encounter with a cat. And it is a classic mackerel tabby British Shorthair moggie - totally appropriate I think.
The classic or mackerel tabby is very mainstream England especially in about 1950 when the photograph was taken.
I am wearing clothes knitted by my mother. That was the way after the second World War.
I am about 2 years of age or less. I cannot remember this encounter. I guess that is to be expected.
The picture came to light at my father's funeral yesterday 28th Jan 2010. It was a good funeral if funerals can be described as good.
My mother loved cats but it is more than that for me. I love nature and cats represent nature to me. I can be near it and hold it through a domestic cat.
This is the suggested philosophy behind some exotic breeds such as the Bengal or Toyger. The idea being that you live with an exotic cat that looks like a miniature wild cat, which makes you more alert to the needs of the wild cat.
But frankly I don't think that works. I don't see it working. It is more an excuse for some to breed the cat.
I just like to be near animals that act naturally and are predicable.
So this is a photo of my first steps with cats. Now I must make this site the best for cats.