Henrietta, the Ruler of the House

Happy Thursday, everyone! As many of you know, this October I am blogging about holidays and observances for the next 31 days. I am still up in the air about whether I want to post something about Halloween as the grand finale. There are going to be so many posts about the holiday and I DO strive to be at least a little different here at the Daily Hottentots, so Halloween might be something I stay away from…just so you know. But that is a long way into the future, so I am not going to worry about that now.

Now on to today’s post!

JAZZ HANDS! St. Francis of Assisi (circa 1182-1220) (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Did you know that today is World Animal Day, which is also the feast day for St. Francis of Assisi, the patron saint of animals? World Animal Day was started in 1931 in Florence, Italy by a group of ecologists to raise awareness about endangered species around the globe. Today it has evolved to mean different things to different people, and many even bring their pets to church with them so the pet can be blessed. This little ritual was highlighted in an episode of BBC One‘s Vicar of Dibley.

http://youtu.be/n10Pi_TyHaU

I’m not a church goer, and I don’t go all out for any so-called “saints,” but I do celebrate World Animal Day in my own little way. I make people aware of cats and dogs in shelters that are looking for a forever home and buy my pet, a 25 pound tabby named Henrietta, lots of pressies to show her how much I like her…and her attitude.

Henrietta posing with her favorite Irish step dancing dolls

I got Henrietta from a shelter in February of 2005. I tried out all sorts of different names on her to see which one she would answer to. (Does anyone else do this with their new pets?) The name the shelter gave her, “Sophie,” did not quite fit her. She would not answer to it. Finally, after going through a few dozen names, she finally perked up and came to me when I called her “Henrietta.” Henrietta is an old German name that means “Ruler of the house,” and boy does that name fit her.

Henrietta in one of her more docile moods…that doesn’t happen that often.

She struts around this place like she owns it, and claims every stick of furniture as her own. One of the spare bedrooms (including the bed) is hers and she won’t let anyone else go near it—I did not give her that room intentionally, she just claimed it for her own.

In addition to her full size bed, she has taken over a chest where I used to keep towels and rags. I can’t have nothin’ nice!

And if you are anyone but me, forget trying to make friends with Henrietta. She would rather slit your wrists (and possibly your throat if she can get to it) open and delight in watching you howl and bleed to death. When I have any sort of company over, I have to keep her in a separate room. She WILL attack you, regardless of who you are. She does not make friends…with anyone.

You can imagine that trips to the vet are super exciting and enjoyable…

Regardless of my cat’s faults (and she has too many to count) I still love her, and would not give her up for anything in the world—I’m sure my friends and family hate me for that. But oh well!

Do you have any pets? If so, do they rule the house like my Henrietta does? Please let me know by leaving a comment below!