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Took Shape Cats: In Europe, during medieval times and later, elves, fairies, and witches (who occasionally took shape cats the shape of cats) were believed to fly on All Hallows Eve, and bonfires were lit to ward off these spirits. Vestiges of these beliefs and practices persisted in Scotland and Ireland into recent times. Halloween was also a time for games and rituals involving methods of foretelling the future. Through such omens as apple parings thrown over the shoulder or nuts burned in the fire, young people tried to determine their marital prospects.
Cats are susceptible to a number of diseases which may be easily transmitted to humans; hence, it is not wise to pick up stray cats promiscuously for adoption, especially if there are children in the family. This is also an argument for keeping a well-trained pet shut in during the night. A kitten should come from a healthy, well-trained, and well-cared-for mother. From the standpoint of the health of the child and for the comfort of the animal, no child under the age of five years should be allowed to possess a pet cat. When anything appears to be seriously wrong with the pet, it is advisable to take it to a veterinarian. If this is not possible, the children should be kept away from the animal, and if it shows no sign of improving, it should be disposed of humanely.
Toleration Method. In this method of habit breaking, the stimulus for an undesirable habit is introduced gradually. When it is finally presented full force, the undesirable reaction has already disappeared. To illustrate, suppose a child is afraid of cats. To cure him, one might give the child a kitten to which he will probably show positive reactions. As the kitten grows up the positive reactions will be maintained, and the fear of cats will have been destroyed. There is reason to believe that this method is particularly effective with fearful reactions. |
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