Work - other people's work - is an intolerable idea to a cat. Can you picture cats herding sheep or agreeing to pull a cart? They will not inconvenience themselves to the slightest degree.

With dogs and people, it's love in big splashy colours. When you're involved with a cat, you're dealing in pastels.

Never ask a hungry cat whether he loves you for yourself alone.

Never believe that animals suffer less than humans. Pain is the same for them that it is for us. Even worse, because they cannot help themselves.

A cat determined not to be found can fold itself up like a pocket handkerchief if it wants to.

Love of animals is a universal impulse, a common ground on which all of us may meet. By loving and understanding animals, perhaps we humans shall come to understand each other.

In my experience, cats and beds seem to be a natural combination.