For Some Are Sane And Some Are Mad

by Adam Jack

“You have now learned enough to see

That Cats are much like you and me
And other people whom we find
Possessed of various types of mind.
For some are sane and some are mad
And some are good and some are bad
And some are better, some are worse -
But all may be described in verse.”

- T.S. Eliot, “The Ad-dressing of Cats”


The above quote is taken from Eliot's poetry collection Old Possum's Book of Practical Cats. I love the comparison of cats to people: “For some are sane and some are mad...”

I've been a cat owner since 1993. I got my first cat at a house sale, where the woman who lived there was giving them away for free. This cat was already about 2 years old, a declawed orange and white striped tabby.

He was my constant companion until his death on March 29th, 2006. Watching his heartbreaking deterioration and death depressed me for months afterward. I didn't get another cat until about a year and a half later, in November 2007.

When I was ready to adopt another cat, I decided to go to my local rescue shelter. I live in a small town in Western Pennsylvania, and the shelter was only about 20 minutes away from my home. I was able to adopt a rescue cat for exactly $35, and this cat was already spaded, neutered and microchiped. It was a great deal!

He was - and still is - a very good looking tabby, with black and brown striped hair, and green eyes...he was about 2 years old at the time. I dubbed him “Sam".

Sam still had his claws when I adopted him. I didn't have the heart to have them removed, and after reading some information on the subject I don't believe in declawing cats anymore.

Sam was always trying to run outside when I opened my door, so after a while I devised a way to let him out. I bought a cat harness and a 6-foot lead that has clips on both ends. I cliped it to a railing on my side porch and now he can safely spend time outside.

My Sam is a very smart and affectionate cat, but very territorial when it comes to other felines.