Feline Legends

I have three cats, and I think they are all awesome. Unlike the stereotype that all cats are lazy and keep to themselves all day, they are actually very unique and each have their own personalities. My one cat is sweet as pie and loves sleeping on peoples' laps, my other, which is also the daughter of the first, is playful and prefers to not be around people as much (though she will come by them when she feels like), and the only male is extremely affectionate but can also get extremely psychotic (we think he may have multiple personalities..).

There are also legends associated with these interesting creatures that have been passed down through the years. Here are some of them:

• If you dream of a white cat, good luck will come your way.
• A sneezing cat will bring good luck upon all who hear it.
• If you find one white hair on a black cat, good fortune will come your way.
• You will have good luck if you cross paths with a white cat (in the UK, it is a black cat).
• In England, it was believed lucky to own a black cat.
• In America, black and white cats, as well as gray cats are considered lucky.

Bad Luck:

• Seeing a white cat at night will bring misfortune.
• Bad luck will come your way if a black cat walks toward you, but then stops and walks in the other direction.
• It is unlucky to cross a stream carrying a cat.
• If a funeral procession encountered a black cat, another family member will soon die.
• If you kick a cat, you will develop rheumatism in the same leg.
• Cats will suck the breath out of babies.

Other Superstitions:

• If a cat washes over its ears, rain will come.
• When a cat washes its face in the living room, company should be expected.
• A cat sleeping with all four paws tucked under it means bad weather is coming.
• A cat born in the month of May was said to be a witch's cat (In Celtic mythology, the month of May was considered to be a month of misfortune).

Throughout history, cats have been thought of as sacred by the Ancient Egyptians and were associated with witches and the devil during the Middle Ages. Although we know that cats are not gods nor are possessed by the devil, they still make great pets and companions nonetheless- quirks and all.