In this episode of the "Words That Make Us" podcast, Rama and Tony discuss the topic of “Cats”. Listen to them as they discuss their experiences with cats. Rama reads some research about the health benefits of having cats, while Tony counters by reading statistics and other science about cat owners. How do different cultures see cats, especially black ones? Which countries have the most cats and which countries are restricting cat owning? Some interesting poetry about cats features in today’s episode as well!

The physical and mental health benefits of having cats:

https://www.healthline.com/health/benefits-of-being-cat-lover#4.-Health

Annual expenditure on cats and dogs USA

https://www.battersea.org.uk/pet-advice/cat-advice/cost-owning-cat

Needy cat people

https://www.dailymail.co.uk/sciencetech/article-2911381/It-s-official-crazy-cat-ladies-exist-Pet-owners-neurotic-needy-cliams-study.html

"Quick! quick! ..." BY ANONYMOUS

https://www.poetryfoundation.org/poems/42906/quick-quick-

The Galloping Cat by Stevie Smith(1972)

https://www.poetrybyheart.org.uk/poems/the-galloping-cat

Cat Idioms and Phrases

https://owlcation.com/humanities/50-Cat-Idioms-and-Phrases

Famous cats

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_individual_cats

Cat islands:

https://www.japan-guide.com/e/e5031.html

The Panther by Rainer Maria Rilke

https://allpoetry.com/The-Panther

Cats in Shakespeare

https://www.thegreatcat.org/cat-shakespeare/

https://www.historyhit.com/the-bizarre-life-of-cats-in-shakespeares-england/

Black cat superstitions and witchcraft

https://www.msj.edu/news/2024/02/the-power-of-black-cats.html#:~:text=Over%20time%2C%20European%20folklore%20evolved,would%20ultimately%20threaten%20their%20safety.

February by Margaret Atwood

https://www.poetryfoundation.org/poems/47787/february-56d2288025b1e

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