Failings

A few years ago a couple who live nearby produced a circular and dropped a copy through our letter box. There was a photograph of a handsome marmalade cat and an appeal that, if anyone knew his whereabouts, to please inform them. They and their child were feeling bereft.

The following Sunday afternoon the lady called. Oscar had still not turned up and she suspected foul play. Cats do, for reasons known only to themselves, sometimes decide to move home. Sometimes they are killed accidentally; but the level of antipathy towards felines that this couple experienced before his disappearance made them fear the worst.

Many people in the area where we live dislike cats in a way few other animals are disliked. It seems to me that it was not always like this. If there was antagonism towards cats in my youth, I was not aware of it. Now, when you say cats share your home, people often respond by telling you how dirty they are and it is impossible to invite them to your house. The failings of dogs are overlooked even though a few of them have killed children. Humans, of course, don't have failings.