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October always makes me think of baseball – the World Series will start soon. Baseball makes me think of Cracker Jacks. Besides caramel corn and peanuts inside the package we all remember, there is "Sailor Jack" and… who's sitting beside him? Bingo the dog! Bingo was modeled after Cracker Jacks owner's rescued stray, a terrier mix named Russell. That packaging started in 1917 – 100 years ago! Our pets mean the world to us, as much as we to them. Let me explain. Lord Byron was devastated upon the death of his beloved Newfoundland and penned this inscription for the dog's gravestone: "Beauty without vanity, strength without insolence, courage without ferocity, and all the virtues of man without his vices." Ninety-four percent of pet owners say their pet makes them smile more than once a day, while 39 percent of pet owners say they have more photos of their pet than of their spouse or significant other. Studies have shown that pets help children socially and emotionally – increasing social interaction and play, as well as self-esteem, while decreasing loneliness. Anatole France, French poet and novelist said, "Until one has loved an animal, a part of one's soul remains unawakened." Consider literary dogs: Toto, Dorothy's mischievous but brave companion in Wizard of Oz; Old Yeller protected the Coates family and made each of us search our (youthful) emotional depths. How about the stray in Kate Demillo's Because of Winn Dixie? He was a friend maker who we wished were ours. When Odysseus returned bedraggled to Ithaca after 20 years in The Odyssey who recognized the wanderer for his "true self " – Argo, his dog. Cats are just as winsome. They steal our hearts (but they may not be bothered with us). French art/literary critic Theophile Gautier opined, "If you are worthy of its affection, a cat will be your friend, but never your slave." Nine Lives' Morris reminds us that we may be tolerated if we keep the tasty treats coming. Remember that thousands of years ago cats were worshiped as gods; they have never forgotten this. Many writers have dwelled on the intellect of felines; cats may consider themselves superior to humans. Lillian Jackson Braun has delighted many readers with "The Cat who…" series where the frisky feline (Koko) is instrumental in guiding the writer/detective to uncover clues and solve the mystery. Alice is curious about the grinning Cheshire cat who offers clues but just as frequently misdirects her. Is the sly grinner a help or a hoax? He definitely helps Alice when she meets the Red Queen. And how did County Cheshire determine that cats grinned? Was it the lovely cream and cheese that originated there? Oh well, "women and cats will do as they please… men and dogs should relax and get used to the idea" (Robert Heinlein). Amazingly cats' dignity is very durable, even after falling off a balcony, doing the Moonwalk, or pursuing their hobby of unrolling toilet paper. Fall is here – enjoy the season by picking up some new books at our libraries! Next book sale Nov. 4. Library Committee 24 | SUN LAKES LIFESTYLES | OCTOBER 2017 |