Hi Puzzlers,
This week we pay tribute to the cat. More than 100 million American homes have a cat, making them the most popular pet in the United States. WOW! What a surprise! I thought dogs would have come in first, being mans’ “best friend” and all. Interestingly, these independent creatures have only been domesticated for the last 4000 years, but their lineage has been on the planet for 50 million years.
Miacis were small “weasel- like” animals that roamed the earth 50 million years ago. Bears, dogs, cats, raccoons and many other mammals are thought to be descendants of this prehistoric cat-like creature.
Evidence suggests African wildcats were being domesticated as early as 3500 B.C., by the Egyptians. Quickly these cats became highly valued for their ability to hunt and kill undesirable rodents like mice, snakes and rats. By 1500 B.C. cats were considered sacred by the Egyptians and anyone who killed a cat would be put to death. Cats were so idolized that in times of catastrophe they would be rescued before humans. “The cat goddess Bastet (also known as Bast or Pasht) became one of the most revered figures of worship. She had the body of a woman and the head of a cat.”
During the Middle Ages wide spread hysteria of devil worshipping witches and warlocks filled the streets of Europe. Cats were now seen as harbingers of evil, who possessed the power of black magic. They were thought to be witches in disguise. For this reason hundreds of thousands of cats were killed. Black cats were hunted close to extinction.
Genocide of this scale would eventually upset the natural balance of the rodent population, thus, greatly contributing to the spread of the “Black Plague” which was spread to people by flea infested rats. One-fourth of the European population died from this disease. Quickly Europeans realized the cats’ importance in controlling the rodent population and they eventually regained their popularity.
Cats are no longer revered as Gods or feared as demons. They have found a comfortable spot right in the middle as America’s most popular pet!
Happy Puzzling!
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