Here she is - Millie makes an entrance! - Arrives Millie!
On a fateful day, author Oliver vom Hofe's life took a turn when his daughter brought home a Poodle, inadvertently placing Oliver on Team Dogs. Little did he know that this was just the beginning of a surprising journey into the world of cats.
Oliver, who had a large collection of mice as a boy but developed a dislike for animals due to their messiness, found dogs unpleasant and avoided them. However, his perspective was about to change.
Enter Emily, a stray kitten found by Oliver's friend, who is a big cat lover and cares for numerous cats in Kenya. The friend's property serves as a refuge for lost or sick kittens in the village. One day, the friend found an abandoned kitten on the road, estimated to be two or three weeks old. The kitten was named Emily.
For a week, Oliver took care of Emily without much interaction with the friend. He fed Emily five times a day, varying the composition of her meals, and even developed a four-finger system for cleaning and belly massage. During the day, Emily was taken for walks in the fresh air, lying on a cloth and pressed against Oliver's chest. At night, Emily slept on Oliver's chest and used him as a scratching post, much to his initial dismay.
However, one day, a Siamese cat visited the author's apartment at night and sat on him while he was sleeping. This encounter changed Oliver's opinion about cats. He felt flattered and chosen by the cat's visit, and he began to understand the emotional bond that could form between humans and these creatures.
In a strange twist of events, Emily's piano playing, which is praised by critics with comparisons to Philip Glass and Free Jazz, is known to Oliver's friend. Nora, the famous piano-playing cat, resides with the friend. It seems that Oliver's world was becoming increasingly intertwined with the feline species.
As the world celebrates World Cat Day on August 8th, it serves as a reminder of the importance of caring for cats, both as pets and as part of the ecosystem. Established in 2002 by the International Fund for Animal Welfare (IFAW), the day aims to raise awareness about cats and promote their welfare worldwide.
The day helps increase public knowledge about responsible cat ownership, including proper nutrition, healthcare, and the dangers of neglect and abandonment. It encourages people to support shelters and rescue organizations, promoting adoption and reducing the number of homeless cats.
World Cat Day fosters a global community of cat enthusiasts through cat-related events, such as adoption drives, educational campaigns, and social media activities. It celebrates the cultural and emotional significance of cats in human society, recognizing their companionship and roles in various traditions.
In some regions, heightened awareness has contributed to better legislation and programs aimed at protecting cats and controlling stray populations. This year, let us join in the celebration of World Cat Day, appreciating and looking after these beloved animals, whether as companions or part of the natural world.
World Cat Day
History - Inception: The day was created to honor cats and to highlight the importance of caring for them, both as pets and as part of the ecosystem. - Purpose: World Cat Day serves to bring attention to issues such as stray and feral cat populations, the need for spaying and neutering, and the promotion of adoption from shelters rather than buying from breeders. - Growth: Since its creation, World Cat Day has grown into a global celebration observed by cat lovers, animal welfare organizations, and pet-related businesses.
Impact - Awareness: The day helps increase public knowledge about responsible cat ownership, including proper nutrition, healthcare, and the dangers of neglect and abandonment. - Animal Welfare: It encourages people to support shelters and rescue organizations, promoting adoption and reducing the number of homeless cats. - Community Engagement: Cat-related events, such as adoption drives, educational campaigns, and social media activities, occur worldwide, fostering a global community of cat enthusiasts. - Cultural Influence: The day celebrates the cultural and emotional significance of cats in human society, recognizing their companionship and roles in various traditions. - Policy Influence: In some regions, heightened awareness has contributed to better legislation and programs aimed at protecting cats and controlling stray populations.
In light of the upcoming World Cat Day on August 8th, the author, who once disliked cats, is now appreciating these creatures. He was introduced to a stray kitten named Emily, and a Siamese cat who helped change his perspective about cats, showing him the emotional bond that can form between humans and these creatures. This day serves as a reminder of the importance of responsible cat ownership and caring for cats as pets and part of the ecosystem, promoting adoption and reducing the number of homeless cats.
