12 
Introduction 
again one laughs at the winsome and intelligent 
acts of our dumb companions. 
After reading the book, some will remember to 
make their pets happy on Christmas day, rather 
than spend all for personal enjoyment. Some, it 
is hoped, when going into the country for the 
summer, or for a vacation, will take their cats 
with them, as did the writer of “ Pussy Meow,” 
and not let them starve alone at home ; or, on re- 
turning to the city, leave them on ocean beaches, 
or deserted mountain-tops, to die of hunger and 
cold. 
Cats have had a varied history. In Egypt, in 
early times, they were loved and worshiped. At 
death they were embalmed, and given a costly 
funeral. Cambyses, the son of Cyrus the Great, 
when he conquered Egypt, placed a number of cats 
and dogs at the head of his army, and the Egyp- 
tians unwilling to kill the creatures they loved, 
would not defend themselves, and became an easy 
prey. The present Shah of Persia, it is said, has 
fifty petted cats, each cared for by an attendant, 
and these accompany him in his travels. 
Cats have been loved by noted persons through 
the centuries. Mahomet cut off the sleeve of his 
