Word Nerd : Ailurophile

“God made the cat in order that man might have the pleasure of caressing the lion.” Fernand Mery

Verses and proverbs, essays and notes unnumbered have been written for and about the cat. Those little balls of furr and purrs that make their way into ours lives and hearts with their particular mixture of majesty and cuddles, demands and utter sweetness. Ailurophiles have been around as long as the domestic cat has and goodness knows, maybe even longer. I am no crazy cat lady (as yet…) but I could be considered an ailurophile since I do adore the precious darlings that have come into my life. Currently there are two particular cats who add their distinct touches to my life and home – My darling empress Josephine (Jojo or Josie depending on her mood) and the little deaf guy Sinny, who is a complete loony that Jojo barely tolerates (He insults her dignity). Don’t get me wrong, I adore the dogs in my life every bit as much, but there is something about cats that really does seem almost magical and other-worldly in the best of ways. Anybody else feel this way?“I love cats because I love my home and after a while they become its visible soul.”
Jean Cocteau “You will always be lucky if you know how to make friends with strange cats.” Colonial proverb