Lunatics and Their Cats

An 1872 editorial in the New York Times begins with the premise that only insane people surround themselves with cats. It is taken as fact that cats are “treacherous, selfish, and cunning,” while a dog is a “respectable and upright animal.”  

There is evidently a bond of union between the lunatic and the cat which does not exist between sane persons and that undesirable animal. Possibly this bond consists in the fact that in most cases the lunatic develops a stealthy, tortuous cunning which assimilates him in some degree to the cat.

It’s a curious article, going into detail about a rich man who bequeathed his wealth to the care of his many cats. Now, 140 years later, there’s little to disagree with in the article, except for the use of the word “lunatic.” We now prefer the term “crazy cat person,” and since there are so many of us, there isn’t much of a stigma to being one these days. -via mental_floss

(Image credit: Hery Zo Rakotondramanana)