UPDATE: The time is up for submitting your cat photos. Thanks to all for doing so!
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The occasion was announced in a tw**t by Rev. Richard Coles (via Matthew Cobb):
Let’s make that wave a tsunami. Readers, send in one picture of your favorite cat, along with its name and perhaps one sentence about it (as well as what name you want to use). If I get more than five photos I’ll add them to this post. Now’s the chance to make your moggie a star. Cutoff time for sending pix is noon Chicago time.
And indeed, the tw**t about the feast day is true: St. Gertrude (162s-1659) is the patron saint of cats (also gardeners, travelers, widows, the poor, and the mentally ill). She will protect you against mice, rats, and insanity. Catster gives a bit of the story as well as some nice photos:
From Catster:
There’s no single story that links St. Gertrude to her patronage of cats. However, writings confirm that she and her nuns kept cats to control the rodent population. Some people believe her patronage most likely originated from the claim that water from her well and bread baked in her oven were thought to repel mice and rats. (And I thought I was a bad cook!)
Other accounts say she prayed for the mice to go away and they did. Because of the great mouse exodus, people referred to her as the patroness of cat lovers. She is often depicted with a cat near her or with mice running up her staff. The mice in her icons are said to represent souls trapped in Purgatory, whom she diligently prayed for. And we ailurophiles know that cats and mice go together like saints and Heaven.
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Here we go. From reader Chris:
This is Stimpy (named after another famous feline without a tail) and her hobbies include sleeping, eating, exposing herself and lap warming.
From Dorsa Amir, “Emerson chasing the sunlight.”
From Mark Emerson:
Here’s our cat Mooch, up a tree, stalking birds. Maybe she thinks she blends in.
From John Williamson:
You often hear of Kings and Queens, but this is Jacks. He looks pretty regal basking in the sun in the garage after some string-play.
From reader Denise:
Willow, nonchalant, after delivering post-dawn present of dead juvenile rat this morning to my front door step. I live in a converted barn next to a working farm (UK) – Willow heaven.
From Phil:
Attached is a picture of my cat Zoey. She has a serious attitude and takes sass from no one. Despite what the picture indicates she hates to travel but loves to bite fingers (especially if you’re asleep) and electric blankets.
Reader Lauren sent two pictures, but I’ll allow the N = 1 rule to be violated this one time (one cat per person, please!):
Here are two photos of my cats. One is Foxbat practicing to be an Art Institute lion. The other is the late Smaug in one of my favorite poses.
Our own Matthew Cobb sent a photo of his new kitten, Harry, whose peskiness drove one of the older cats, Pepper, into the wastebasket:
From reader Diana MacPherson:
Fred is the only cat I’ve ever had because after I had him I became allergic to cats. He was a feral cat and he preferred it that way as he took off one day and didn’t come back. Look how cute he was though!
In an attempt to get something fun despite the off season flavor, here is Gunner plahying Santa’s helper back in Christmas of 2013. He is, of course, lying on his Gunners blanket.
This is Ajax. He came to us one cold, snowy January night two years ago. He was skinny and had a badly healed broken hip. He invited himself in and never left.
Here is Sophie in all her glory.
The attached is one of the only images I have at my office; it shows George in a sad state after having pins inserted into all of the bones in his foot, having broken them all somehow. After 12 weeks being in plaster and being unable to roam far and wide he recovered and 2 years on you would never know his leg was broken.
From reader HaggisForBrains:
Here are Monte Carlo (Monte to his friends, and everyone was his friend) and Morgan (named after a vintage three-wheeler car, because he was somewhat unstable on his feet), as kittens, both now sadly deceased.
From Reader Maria:
Salem is 14 years old, spoiled rotten, and very much loved (not to mention, gorgeous!). As you can see, she “decorates” the house.
From Palaeo Sam:
This is Kitty, she is crazy and adept at opening closed doors (do you suppose the two are connected?):
From Michael Day:
Attached is a picture of two of our cats, Bowmen (L) and Sam (R). They are neutered males who love snuggling together in our garage. This is rare photo, since they both usually leap up out of the box, utterly embarrassed, if caught in the act, so to speak.
Ben Goren sends his iconic cat:
This is Baihu. “It ain’t easy living with a god.”
Reader ManOutOfTime sent his cat:
This is Mini Me, so named because he is fluffy and opinionated, like his human mama (my wife). He is a lean 14-lb cat who looks fat but it is all fur. Here he is having a rest on mama’s boot, cruelly exposing the furry underbelly that I want to rub but am NOT ALLOWED TO RUB.
From reader John:
Here is (rather, are) mine. Benny is watching over Babette as she prepares for a bath. (She did not take one.)
Reader Susan sent a pair of cats named after a Strident Atheist:
Ingy and Sol, brothers named in honour of Robert G. Ingersoll, sleeping the sleep of the just.
Reader Merilee sent a photo of her cat Booker. She has apparently done something I used to do to my cats to efface their dignity: turn their ears inside out:
From reader Kathy:
Both Lily and Tiger would like to sit in my lap, but they will not share. Whose will is stronger?
Louis and Andrea sent a photo of a cat named after a state:
Here’s a picture of our cat Texas. She’s one and a half years old and very gentle. She loves climbing, purring, and looking out the window.
From our own Greg Mayer:
Peyton, the philosopickal cat, on Gertrude’s Eve, helping to unpack a newly arrived laptop.
From reader Art:
Here is a picture of our cat Princess. She adopted us 15 years ago and occasionally will help with the ironing if she’s awake.
Reader Jennifer Apple sends a photo of her pal:
This is Danny, my best buddy of 13 years, enjoying the fireplace and his personal rug from the Snow Leopard Trust.
From Linda Grilli:
Pewter playing with his favorite toy, water, with Billy the Kit looking on and learning how to do it.
From reader Rachel:
This is my boy, Lloyd. I’d hoped he’d climb into the pumpkin since he’s obsessed with being *in* things, but I guess that’s where he draws the line.
From reader Abnormal Wrench:
This is Artemis doing her best impression of Maru. She was 5 months old then. She is one year old now but this was all I had on my phone to post in short notice. She loves playing fetch with bottle caps; we play every night.
From Peter Nothnagle:
Gus, enjoying a quiet moment in a sunbeam (this photo was taken this very morning).
Reader John Mitchell sends a three-legged cat:
Leela lost her front leg (and almost her life) to a possum when she was nine months old. She showed amazing resilience in the months of operations and other complications afterwards, and has grown into an incredibly friendly and charming companion. Most mornings she’s out greeting the many fans she has in the neighborhood – she knows more of them than I do!
Reader Cliff sent two Persians:
I am attaching pictures of two of my favorite cats, even though I know you are not particularly fond of Persians. The first is Black Cherry (who we called “Cricket”, because that’s what he reminded us of when first born, and the second is a little cream Persian named Miss American Pie, whose weight never exceeded 6 lbs., so I called her my “pocket Persian”. Both deceased; both still loved.
Reader Todd sent a lovely little moggie:
Here’s one of my (5) rescue kitties as a youngster. His name is Copper and he was born with a bobtail (a one inch stub that wiggles before he pounces).
From reader Brad Day:
Spicy J, reviewing a map of the plotted GPS data from the tracking device she had implanted on me.
Reader Nicole sends a funny cat portrait:
Ginger Bravo poses for a portrait of Madonna and Child.
From reader Amy:
This is “kitten” on his perch, a much better vantage point to see the birds and chipmunks. Turns out Leon is not the only cat that likes a leash! However, I would not be able to fit this felid in a backpack. Now 16 years old he weighs in at 20 pounds.
From reader Taskin:
I noticed you already have a Gus in the sun this morning, so I thought I’d send another. You can’t have too many sun cats!
Reader Stepha sent a black cat (we have many!):
This is Schrödinger (not a great pic, but the best one on my phone). He showed up on my doorstep, frightened & starving, several years ago, & I adopted him despite my allergies. It was one of the best decisions of my life.
Reader anonypuss sends a photo of the lovely Oskar:
… Iz true, I do have many different faces….
Reader Simon Hayward, new to Chicago sent two cats (we’ve seen the ten-legged Titan before):
Cheating – it’s both cats.
Titan says “meh – atheist cat haz no needs of saint”
Pachecca says “does saint haz can opener?”
Reader Charlie Jones sent one in the closing minutes:
Attached is Grover yawning. A bit out of focus, but an impressive maw nonetheless. Feel free to post; photographer is Hannah Jones, age 13.
And one slipped under the wire, sent by reader Erin Coldrick:
An uncomfortable looking position but it seemed to work for him nonetheless. My always photogenic cat’s name is Yarn. He’s put up with his staff (Erin-me) snapping photos of him for 4 years now. He’s my snuggly little baby!! 🙂 All around great cat, although my husband gives a different story. Yarn tends to be quite vocal. Maybe some Siamese in his family lineage?? 🙂
And. . . .time is UP! Hold onto your kitteh photos for the next time. Thanks to all for their lovely photos. I for one was glad to see what my readers’ cats looked like.
I want to know who is the patron saint of mice?
Saint Walter of Disney.
Nah…I’m sure it’s our very own Hili.
At least, that’s what she’d tell you….
b&
As far as I know, there is no patron saint of mice. Those who would probably best fit the bill are St. Francis (patron saint of animals), & St. Martin de Porres who supposedly showed an equal, all-embracing love to all humans & animals — including vermin. He is the patron saint of race relations & interracial harmony, & his iconography often shows a cat, a dog, a mouse, & a bird eating together from a single bowl.
What do you suppose they are eating?
An excellent question!
Often, the bowl or plate depicted is empty. When it isn’t, the contents are indeterminate (google “St Martin de Porres” & check out the images).
LOL!
“As far as I know, there is no patron saint of mice”
I’d vote for St. Patrick. He drove the snakes out of Ireland and made it safe for the mice to come back from France.
What? He didn’t actually do that? OK, forget St. Patrick.
She’s wearing BOOTS!!! L
Indeed, she seems to be.
How about a black cat picture? (I think you owe me some!)
I am not The Photographer.
When I asked The Photographer, he said, “Maybe later.”
Also, Clawed and Pewter want to know why you only want pix of the black ones. L
I’ll take any single photo you want to send. It’s just that I haven’t yet seen the new black kittens.
Yes, you have, too. You even posted the pix we sent of them after we got them and they got over their eye infections.
Jose Felidiano and Billy the Kit are now almost nine months old, and thriving nicely, despite a major abdominal surgery each, Billy for an undescended testicle, and Jose from having eaten something he shouldn’t have.
We will send pix. L
Weren’t cats favoured familiars?
The cat petitioner definitely looks like it needs to be rescued.
Chris, Mark, John, and Dorsa have submitted very fine pics. Happy St. Pat’s.
🐾🐾🐾🐾
Aww Stimpy looks so huggable.
What fine looking felines we all have!
Critical Cat Communique: Cats, don’t bite electric blankets, you’ll shock yourself!
I have no clue how to send a photo to a blog. I do it on email, etc. but have never sent one to a blog. Can anyone give me a quick lesson?
Thank you.
Just attach it to an email to Jerry (click on “Research Interests” above right, for email address).
Thank you for the instructions.
It’s not a blog.
Sorry about the fumble. I do know books. I purchased WEIT when it 1st came out and I have your newest book pre-ordered with Amazon
What a feast of gorgeous moggies! I want them all…
patron saint of cats, widows, and the mentally ill…origin story of the crazy cat lady perhaps?
Maybe Gertrude was herself the original crazy cat lady!
The Telegraph, a few days back, had a charming story about the cat who lives in Wells cathedral, a spectacular 12th century edifice. Evidently this ginger cat has been accused of attacking a dog. It is worth clicking over there to read the whole story.
Thank you for posting this. I missed that story, but it’s quite interesting. He seems to be a bit of a cat hitman.
Everyone has such beautiful cats! Great post!
What splendid owners / employers everyone has — & what a fun post!
Sympathetic magic or just the usual religious superfluous agency?
Cats do all that.
And, oh look, the cat shots roll in!
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Diana:
– My cat took off one day and didn’t come back.
Me:
– Just … gone!?
Diana:
– … he left me an allergy.
Haha!
😎
Oh dear – now I’ll have to get myself another cat. I’ll try the local rescue centre, as usual (all my cats have been rescue cats).
How exciting for you!
Wonderful cats! Excellent photos! Great idea! (That’s my quota of exlamation marks…)
Herewith Higgs Boson, the Demon Particle, preparing (as is evident by his countenance) to become frumious and knock something off the desk before tearing randomly about the house, providing mass to matter. John C. McLoughlinTaos, NM
Oh, and NOW I’m told it’s too late! Date: Tue, 17 Mar 2015 12:31:29 +0000
WordPress.com
whyevolutionistrue posted: “The occasion was announced in a tw**t by Rev. Richard Coles (via Matthew Cobb):
Let’s make that wave a tsunami. Readers, send in one picture of your favorite cat, along with its name and perhaps one sentence about it (as well as what name you want “
A good pic of Baihu. And I like the tree climber, Mooch.
I was going to say the same. That is a really nice photo of Baihu.
Tanks! It’s one of my favorites.
I really need to finish a certain other project, because that’ll give me the perfect excuse to make plenty of test photos, and he’s an excellent subject for that sort of thing….
b&
All majestic and well loved kittehs. Thank you Prof CC, and the relevant cat staff.
Great cats everybody. Some are particularly gorgeous, but it’s a bit like picking a favourite child.
Jealous servant-to-be here.
If this is repeated next year hopefully I’ll be able to add one! 🙂 Apartment ownership is in process and there’s a charity that re-homes kittehs just up the road.
NOT PARTICKLERLY FOND OV PERSIANZ?!? WER DID DAT COME FRUM?!?
Sent from my iPhone
I actually shed a tear at Todd’s picture, such an incredibly cute cat. I’ve been wanting to get a cat again for a long time and I think I’m ready (mine died about 7 years ago and it was just so emotionally painful I didn’t want to put myself through it again, I’m sure many readers have gone through similar).
SO many wonderful kitties!
There’s something special about that shot of “Texas” that melted my heart. And I’m impressed by the photographic skill displayed in that snap of “Copper”.
Ah, what a pleasant read! Such kitteh diversity! All adorable, regal, silly, dignified, serious, and perfect.
I’ll need to get some new pics of my duo for the next time. And learn to tune in earlier…
I really enjoyed this (and not just because my cat was included). I would enjoy this being a regular thing…not that I’m suggesting my opinion on this is in any way a demand or ultimatum.
Lovely photos. Made my day. Thank you!
Thank you for posting Ginger Bravo as “Madonna and Child”. That is my Grandcat.
Finally, I can honestly say I’m an internet celebrity (twice removed).
In my experience, cats make wonderful fly-swatters. Grab ’em by the tail, and “WHACK” no more fly.
(I’m allergic, don’t you see.)
To each his/her own.