The Good Cat

Excerpts from "For I will consider my Cat Jeoffry" by Christopher Smart (about 1660)

"For he keeps the Lord's watch in the night against the adversary.

For he counteracts the powers of darkness by his electrical skin and glaring eyes.

For he counteracts the Devil, who is death, by brisking about the life.

For in his morning orisons he loves the sun and the sun loves him.

For he is of the tribe of Tiger.

For the Cherub Cat is a term of the Angel Tiger.

For he has the subtlety and hissing of a serpent, which in goodness he suppresses.

For he will not do destruction, if he is well-fed, neither will he spit without provocation.

For he is the cleanest in the use of his forepaws of any quadruped.

For the dexterity of his defence is an instance of the love of God to him exceedingly.

For he is the quickest to his mark of any creature.

For he is tenacious of his point.

For he is a mixture of gravity and waggery.

For he knows that God is his Saviour.

For there is nothing sweeter than his peace when at rest.

For there is nothing brisker than his life when in motion

For God has blessed him in the variety of his movements.

For, tho he cannot fly, he is an excellent clamberer.

For he purrs in thankfulness, when God tells him he's a good Cat."

I came across this poem today and it reminded me so much of Jack. I don't think that cats have changed much in 350 years! Jack is such a good boy, he loves warmth and food and sleep, he is a fierce hunter when he wants to be, and he keeps himself so clean that his fur smells as if he has shampooed it. He loves us, and he enjoys every day of his life. He is a good cat. And so was Jill, whom I miss dearly.