
Life, Liberty and the PURRsuit of Happiness
Life, Liberty and the PURRsuit of Happiness by Clyde
As cats, we relish our freedom but most of all our happiness. I’m happy to share some fab vintage cat from July 1899. It’s almost 4th of July and I can tell you one thing not making me happy. The loud boom boom of fireworks. Some went off yesterday already. Humans are insufferably impatient. Here are some more July 4th safety tips.
There is so much going on I’m purring to tell you. Delightful news but we’re in a royal tizzy. Hold on for another couple of days, will you?
I hope your week is off to a good start whether you’re celebrating Independence Day or not. Who is having a BBQ today or tomorrow? Throw on an extra steak for me. Odin caught a chipmunk and baby bunny for the grill but the huMan made Odin release them. The stinker deserves a vegan hotdog.
Yes, it’s all about pleasure and happiness for him. Summer is his favorite season. He’s in and out in the garden ALL day. Domino, a creature of habit spends a chunk of each day in the same wicker chair on the porch. Apparently, he’s done that for years. Nou Nou is the opposite. She has no interest to venture outdoors and has no favorite chair. She rotates between about a dozen different places but only in three rooms. I’m far more circumscribed and only nap in two places. I rarely see her or Domino except at the chow station. Odin is the only one who comes up to my domain on the third floor and we kiss hello which is as friendly as I’m going to get with him. It could be worse. Much worse. There is much to be grateful for.
I’m loving this festive black cat magazine for July 1898 although it’s not my favorite of the four I’m sharing today.
This is two years later and it’s nice and modern. The story titles aren’t half bad. You can’t copyright a title, so if you’re a writer, go ahead and use them. I think Sir Straggle could be a fine tale about a cat and who wouldn’t be curious about a traveling cabin. Is that some kind of Edwardian Winnebago?
July 1908 is a tad dreary. Doesn’t it look more suitable for autumn? Oh and look at the price. Ten cents up from a nickel. Can you get anything for a nickel these days? The Fate of Sultan. It must be about one of my Bombay relatives.
Love and purrs,
Clyde, Domino, Odin & Nou Nou and the humom, Layla


32 Comments
Ardith Nelmark
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Lisa Arely
I spent the night in the pet shelter and it was pretty noisy. From 6PM to 12AM. Constant firework noises were everywhere. Animals were so scared.
meowmeowmans
Happy belated 4th, Clyde, Domino, Odin, Nou Nou and Layla! We hope it was a quiet and safe one there!
Layla Morgan Wilde
Happy belated 4th! We had a few loud booms that scared Clyde but he’s okay.
Tamago
No chipmunk or bunny for BBQ? Bummer, haha. But it may be the best to stick to meat from grocery store 🙂
Happy 4th of July!
Layla Morgan Wilde
Yes, no chipmunk flavor so far 😉
Andy, Tater, Shelly and Mom Judy
Happy 4th of July! We have a chipmunk that lives under our front steps. Mom feeds it peanuts. We would love to bring it home for dinner but we are not allowed out. I guess humans think chipmunks are cute.
Layla Morgan Wilde
They are cute but thankfully not on the menu 🙂
Ellen Pilch
Happy 4th to you all!
Layla Morgan Wilde
Happy belated 4th. Tagged you on IG xo
Pipo/Angel-Minko/MrJackFreckles
Those are fun short Story covers!
Have a Happt Fourth, and a not too noisy one I hope.
Pipo & Angel-Minko
Layla Morgan Wilde
Thanks, it’s thankfully over 🙂
Cynthia Southern
I always love these antique cat images. They are great! I pin them all.
Layla Morgan Wilde
Thanks, I do my best to edit and clean them up for more people to enjoy them 🙂
Cynthia Southern
Happy Fourth of July to you Layla, Clyde and the whole human and furry family.
Maggie
I’m so glad Clyde is enjoying his golden year with you!
Wishing you a happy and quiet fourth!
Layla Morgan Wilde
Maggie, I wish the same for you! We had fireworks early on the 3rd and the others are too far away to bother. xoxo
ellen
Ha! I take it Clyde you dont want Odin’s old rabbit hunting breath on you- wise old fella. He is rather adventurous!
It is strange how cats have the places all picked out and it is kinda odd to see them when they deviate. The gang here are much the same, although we dont have inside/outside kitties. The ferals (friendly) for the most part are out there but they keep their hunting trophies to themselves for the most part.
We have a ‘new’ feral…… who isnt a feral. The most beautiful silver tabby has chosen our place as his new home. It was touch and go for a bit, but he is a bit unusual. He was already neutered (saved some money there) and is obviously an ex housecat. He lays on his back and wants tummy rubs and is constantly purring and head butting. He also wants IN . I am trying to find a nice home for him. I named him Floki and he checks out fine at the vets. I am hoping someone needs new cat, if not he is welcome here for as long as he needs.
I hope your 4th is a good one Clyde, and you the gang and your humans have had a wonderful weekend!
Layla Morgan Wilde
I think Floki, the Norse trickster is a perfect name. He chose you, you know. Any clue how old he is? I wonder if he was dumped since neutered males don’t usually roam for miles. How is he getting along with Punchy and the others? I suspect he could be transitional messenger and assistant. Happy 4th. It’ll be quiet here which is bliss.
Teddy and Mom
What GREAT graphics and we hope you have a truly FABULOUS 4th even if there won’t be any BBQ’d chips (haha).
Hugs, Teddy
Layla Morgan Wilde
Thanks so much Pam and Teddy! Happy 4th and I’m stopping by xoxo
da tabbies o trout towne
dood….waddya meen yur mom said NOE barbee qued chippee ore hare…..talk a bout a partee pooper !!!!! 🙂 ♥♥ happee 4th guyz !
Layla Morgan Wilde
You got that right. No chippee or hare or burd. Happy 4th xoxo
easyweimaraner
I would like to have odin’s preys on my bbq… but the mama thinks probably otherwise…
A happy 4th of july for you… and a big YAY for the big hunter odin :o)
Layla Morgan Wilde
Odin says he’d love to go hunting with you. You could be the bird dog. What is that called in France? xoxo
Caren Gittleman
love your graphics! Pinned one!
Layla Morgan Wilde
Thanks Caren xox I must invite you to post on some boards. DM me.
Kathryn
Wow. Thanks for compiling all of these in support of black cats. Really incredible. I love how people have loved cats — especially black cats — for centuries.
Layla Morgan Wilde
I love vintage art but there aren’t many black cats in earlier centuries depicted as pets. Most are featured with witches or linked with the devil. Happy 4th xoxo
Summer
The Black Cat magazine had a really interesting literary history!
Layla Morgan Wilde
You mean the relationship with the publisher and his wife, one of the illustrators? I’d love to see it in print again. It’s on my back burner of projects 🙂