A life in cats

I fact, I was catless for a long time. In my childhood I wanted a pet, but it was a dog I wanted. We always had animals, terrapins and goldfish (and after one regrettable holiday absence, just terrapins), a chipmunk in a cage. But we lived in a flat and it was no place for a dog. 

How I lived so long without a cat I don't know. Nor do I know when and how my preference switched from dogs to cats. 

All the same, I am well on the way to madcatladytude. I feel uneasy when I sleep without a cat on the bed, and unhappy when I have no cats around for too long. I stop and greet every cat I meet on the street (with varying success) and I even volunteer in the cattery of my local animal shelter. 

I love pretty much every living thing, even for spiders I have now a begrudging respect. I like mice and I once saved the life of a pigeon (most people asked me: "Why?"). I love dogs. I enjoy birds. But for cats I have a special affinity. After living so long with them, I am part cat in behavior, anyway. 

Here are some of the cats of my life.