Sufi and Groucho
From Chicken Soup for the Soul: The Magic of Cats
By J. Truluck

The cat, it is well to remember, remains the friend of man because it pleases him to do so and not because he must.
~Carl Van Vechten

I've never considered myself a cat person. In fact, I always considered cats to be somewhat arrogant creatures, but my opinion and life were changed with a trip to the mall. My wife and I were strolling by the pet store when we noticed a veterinarian we knew inside and decided to say hello. He was tending to a tiny white kitten that had just arrived from a breeder. His expression told us something was wrong.

"I'm afraid this poor thing isn't going to make it if it stays here," he said in almost a whisper. The kitten's sad blue eyes looked like she had been crying, staining her fur. Her nose was runny, and her breathing seemed labored. I'm not sure what the agreement was between our friend the veterinarian and the pet store, but there was definitely tension in the air. (Keep reading)