Nine Lives?

So where did the myth about cats having nine lives come from? No one knows for sure. We do know, though, that it’s been around for a long time.

William Shakespeare refers to the nine lives myth in his play Romeo and Juliet. There is also an ancient proverb that claims, “A cat has nine lives. For three he plays, for three he strays and for the last three he stays.”

Some people believe the nine lives myth is related to cats’ ability to always land on their feet. Cats are also known for their dexterity and agility. Over time, people witnessed cats survive in situations that surely would have severely injured other animals. Some people likely began to believe that cats must have multiple lives.

In ancient Egypt, cats were sacred animals that were worshipped as gods. Ancient Egyptians believed that cats were divine creatures with psychic or supernatural powers. The idea that they could have multiple lives fit right in with their view of cats. But why nine lives? No one knows the answer to that one either.

There are many possibilities. For example, the ancient Egyptian sun god, Atum-Ra, was believed to take the form of a cat on visits to the underworld. Legend has it that Atum-Ra gave birth to eight other gods and thus represented nine lives in one. Others believe the number may have come from China, where the number nine is considered lucky.

 - See more at: http://wonderopolis.org/wonder/do-cats-really-have-nine-lives/#sthash.Cboz2i0W.dpuf

Regardless of your view of this myth; it is a fact that there are several cats at Cats Cradle Shelter waiting to start a life with you.  Come join us for open house on Tuesdays from 4:00 – 7:00 and Saturdays from 12:00 – 5:00.

Here are some of the many cats that would like to share their life with you.

Elise

Dalton

DaVinci

Maizee

Marble

Marissa

Violet