Evening star., 1948-06-29
This and That
BIZ Charles E. TraceweH

would it be possible for this to happen?"
Such is the question asked by reader, who
inclosed a newspaper story of an "Angora' cat
that had walked 400 miles back home in a
month.
Yes, it is possible.
It has happened many times. No doubt the
cat was a Persian; many people call them
angoras.
Dogs have made far longer trips, in some
instances swimming rivers en- route.
Both animals have sense of homing
shared with the homing pigeon.
Their achievement is the greater, however,
since they are down on the ground, to be con-
fused by multitude of odors.
1t is not believed that pigeons get home by
a sense of smell, but through some unknown
coordination of such faculties as they possess
Radar, as invented by human beings, may
give some clue to the way they do it.
Unquestionably, it is mystery, and if one
chooses to think that radio or other wave
forces have something to do with it, his idea
is as good as any, since the whole thing is
pretty much in the unknown.
The feat of the cat, in coming back over
many miles Of strange territory, we must think
the greater.
A dog, after all, is hardy creature.
1t is used to being in the open, and in hand
ling itself under difficult conditions.
Even in this age, the dog is capable OF TAX
ing care Of itself.
Traffic, though taking its toll as it does in
all walks of life among all kinds and condi-
tions OF creatures, finds the dog taking it in
stride.
Every one who likes animals is acquainted
with some dog or other who manages himself
in traffic like veteran.
Such dogs seem to know the difference in
the green light, the red, and even the amber.
They 60 across when they should, and never
make a mistake
On the other paw, some dogs show as much
futility in traffic jams as some people.
They stop, start, stare, start again, run
backward and then forward, until at last no
one, motorist or dog, knows what it is going to
do.
The cat, in traffic, Is pitiable sight.
1t never knows which way to turn, relying on
q rapid dart across, not bad idea, OF course
unless something happens to be coming the
other way.
When we think of the difference in motor
and animal speeds, in most cases, we may feel
sorry for the animals suddenly pitted against
the automobile.
In cross country jaunts such as instanced by
our correspondent, the risk from motor cars is
one of the greatest.
Then human beings, dogs, and hunger, in
that order.
Not only is such an animal subjected to lack
of food, but, even worse, it must eat contami-
mated food, in many cases.
This may result in enteritis, always fearful
killer among the brute creatures.
The Persian cat (angora, as many call it,
is a very capable animal
All in all, 1t probably is better able to handle
itself on the loose than the common house cat.
Despite its abundant fur, the Persian is no
sissy. He catches mice and rats easily, glee-
fully. Your average short-haired cat despises
rats. He wants nothing from them He is too
shall we say, finicky? Not so your bred
Persian. He likes to catch rats, although he
may not eat them. He also handles snakes
with the greatest of ease.
It may be seen that such a cat, getting the
idea into his head of going back home simply
sticks his nose down and sets out. He takes
life as it comes, rustles himself up meal
every now and then, maybe of birds, since
fellow must eat, and gets his long fur in ter
rible state But he reaches home, If he is
fortunate, and even people who do not like
cats rejoice with him.
When we think of the tiny figure going
along the road, or skulking through the fields,
mile after mile, always the right way. we think
his achievement is great.