A picture of a black cat named “Tom” from glass plate negatives taken by his owner, photographer and artist Ernest A. Meyer.
“In ancient times, cats were worshipped as gods; they have not forgotten this.” –Terry Pratchett, author.
Cats have been both loved and feared throughout history. National Cat Day is celebrated in the United States on October 29. It began in 2005, and according to the National Cat Day website, their founder “Colleen Paige is a Pet & Family Lifestyle Expert, Author, Artist, Conservationist, Animal Welfare Advocate and founder of many other philanthropic holidays, to save animals, including National Dog Day, National Puppy Day, National Pet Day and National Wildlife Day (among many others)”.
National Cat Day is also celebrated in Canada on August 8. Per Wikipedia, Japan celebrates cats on February 22 because the “the date resembles the words “nyan nyan nyan” (meow meow meow). The date was decided on this date in a poll between cat-keepers by the Executive Cat Day Committee in 1978.”
The purpose of bringing public awareness is to help cats find loving homes and to allow cat lovers to celebrate their feline friends. People spread the message over social media using selfies with their cats while sharing ways they bond with their pets. By expressing the joy cats bring into their lives encourages others open their home to cats who need adoption in rescues and shelters.
“What greater gift than the love of a cat.” — Charles Dickens, author.
Henry Sanchez plays his fiddle in front of a corn house in Spuds, in the early 1880’s with a dog & cat at his feet.
A cat can be seen in the second-floor window of 54 Saint George St, also known as The Paredes House or Dodge’s Old Curiosity Shop.
Ernest A. Meyer and his sister Jennie. Written on the back is “Our camp in Speissegger’s Store. This is Meyer, sister Jennie and ‘Tom’ cat”.
Jennie holding Tom the Cat.
Written by Nicole Diehm
Sources:
Compendium Live Inspired. Charles Dickens Quote. https://www.live-inspired.com/catalog/product/greeting-cards/positively-green/what-greater-gift-than-the-love-of-a-cat-charles-dickens/#:~:text=%22What%20greater%20gift%20than%20the,.%22%20%E2%80%94Charles%20Dickens%20%2D%20Compendium, accessed 10/25/2022.
Happy National Cat Day! Here’s How to Join the Feline Festivities, by: Chewy Editorial Updated: September 22, 2022. https://be.chewy.com/national-cat-day/ accessed 10/11/2022.
International Cat Day. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/International_Cat_Day accessed 10/11/2022.
National Cat Day. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/National_Cat_Day accessed 10/11/2022.
National Cat Day. https://www.nationalcatday.com/ accessed 10/11/2022.