The importance of cats

in the workplace is not to be underestimated. Anyone who doubts this only needs to look at the support for "Defib". Defib is a member of the London Ambulance staff but the new station manager apparently thought Defib could be dismissed without consultation, consideration or concern for the well being of his fellow workers. There was apparently a public revolt and Defib will stay.

Seriously, animals do matter in some workplaces. There is a nursing home near here which has a resident cat. It is "just around" but the residents like "Puss". There was a similar cat in a residential school I worked in. It seemed to know which children needed company. There were occasionally disagreements about the presence of an animal and demands for her removal but commonsense always prevailed and the cat stayed.

There were no resident animals in the place the Senior Cat spent his last days in but the staff would often bring in their dogs. They were popular visitors as long as they were well under control. A close friend of the Senior Cat took her dog in too. "Oh, I am not visiting," she would tell the staff, "C... is." C... was small and elderly and happy to sit on the Senior Cat's lap and be gently stroked. They understood each other well.

The matron in charge of the place the Senior Cat's brother lived in told us that the only time they saw him smile was when a dog came to visit. I have seen similar things happen in other nursing homes.

There is a business not far from here which has a resident cat. It appeared one very hot day. Someone put down some water for it. The cat stayed. It is still there eight years later. The premises are mice free so it might be said the cat is earning her keep. She is well cared for with her own sleeping quarters and regular check ups and vaccinations at the vet. The owner of the business would be happy to pay for this but the staff all chip in as well.

Somehow it is cats who make their mark on a place. That there is an official "Chief Mouser to the Cabinet Office" at Number 10 (aka Larry) says more than people realise. There have been mentions of cats there since Henry VIII's time although not always officially recognised. 

Cats worked for the postal service for many years - and were paid for their services as mousers. They are common on railways. I remember the marmalade cat at the station of my early childhood. Mum would never let me pat it but it was actually very friendly. We children knew it was a "working" cat and treated it with respect.

It is no secret. I like cats. I get on well with cats. Yes, I often talk to dogs too, especially to dogs waiting for their humans to reappear outside the shopping centre. Cats do not need to do such undignified things as wait like that. 

The Cathedral Cats may have to wait however. Cantori, Decani, Matins and Vespers...I'll do my best to understand the next story you tell me but the humans may need to wait until Christmas.