Article  Cats and People, Past and Present Cats have been the comforting companions of humankind for thousands of years. While much of the history of feline domestication is foggy at best, we do know that humans and cats have helped each other and depended on one another for a very long time. The relationship that each person has with their cat builds on this history and strengthens the bond between the two species. In modern times, people have the opportunity to become closer to their cats and to other cat owners than ever before. Archaeologists have found the remains of a cat buried next to its human companion in a gravesite that's over 9000 years old. This places the domestication of cats near in time to the development of civilization in many areas. Think about that for a moment; it says a lot about the relationship between humans and cats. We have an ancient bond and have been there for each other for a very long time. When many people think about the history of cats, they first think of Egypt. Indeed, many have posited that the Egyptians played a key role in the spread of cat domestication. Cats held a sacred place in Egyptian society, and several gods were feline in appearance or aspect. Killing a cat was a very dire offense, and family cats were mourned when they died. Cats were very much cherished in ancient Egypt, and that love of cats has been transmitted to the modern pet owner. Cats became nearly as popular in many other places around the world. They were loved very much in Japan. Cats were also apparently important to the Romans, as they were brought along on Roman conquests through Gaul all the way to England. The Islamic world had a great deal of respect for felines as well. Mohammed once cut the sleeve of his robe in order to move without agitating his cat’s slumber. Cats also lived in Catholic monasteries and Buddhist temples, protecting the grounds and providing monks with companionship. Of course, there have been some downs to go along with the ups. In Medieval Europe, cats were sometimes blamed for the Plague and thought to be associated with witches. This naturally caused a lot of problems for the cats of the time, to put it lightly. Let’s look at the bright side, though. Cats were associated with witches because they kept single women company. They surely meant a lot to these women, who often were thought to be witches through no fault of their own. As for the Plague, cats most likely curbed its extent by killing disease-spreading rodents. Even when our prejudices were set against them, cats were helping us. Fortunately, cats are again appreciated and loved around the world. Today, the relationship between cats and humans has been taken to a new level by social networking websites based around pet ownership. People set up profiles for their pets, allowing them to share pictures, tell stories, and interact with other pet owners. While it is fun to skim the pages of interesting pets, owners can also deepen their relationships with their own cats by learning about the experiences of others. Health tips and other important advice abound on forums and online health centers. Pet enthusiasts really have a lot to gain by checking out online pet networks. Many sites offer free registration, so there is nothing to lose by making a profile and looking around a site. If you have a really cool cat with a creative name and a personality to match, the world deserves to know! Cats have played a major role in the lives of humans for thousands of years, and the future of this invaluable relationship looks even brighter now that pet owners can connect with one another to share their love of cats. Category Pets Author WOA Member Add To Favorites Print This Article Email Article To A Friend Post Comments   Rate This Article (0) 1 - Poor2345 - Good678910 - Excellent Added On 21 October 2009