More recent photos of Buddy and Suzie

Loyal and Affectionate Companions by Linda Herring Would a cat walk a hundred miles -- enduring peril, cold, and hunger -- just because he missed his favorite human? The announcer in a television documentary, "Extraordinary Cats," mentioned hearing of hundreds of similar stories, then told about an all-black cat named Sooty. A teenager named Clare had formed a close and special bond with Sooty; but Clare stayed behind to go to school in Wales when her family -- including the cat -- moved to Bath, England. After a few days, Sooty headed off to find her, crossing dangerous bridges and open terrain during fall and winter, just to be with her again. Six months and 100 miles later, Sooty found Clare -- even though she had moved to a new apartment! We've all heard stories about "man's best friend," the loyal canine, traveling great distances, sniffing out the trail of his owner. But a cat? Cats can be intuitive, even sympathetic. This same documentary showed cats being used in nursing homes to companion with patients. For these people, they provided something to care for, rather than only being cared for themselves. A charcoal gray named Smokey seemed to know when a patient was seriously ill, and would stay by that patient's bedside, hour after hour, day and night, in gentle, supportive companionship. Some people think of cats as aloof or even a little boring; they figure a dog makes a much better companion, with his wagging tail and overt affection. I used to agree, but now that I've spent a few years living with our felines, I'm a confirmed cat lover. They may not shake and wag, but they definitely let us know, with their gentle ways, that they love us. If you're looking for a pet to love and to love you back, you really don't need Lassie. You can't go wrong with a cat!

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