The Demon Cat of the Nation's Capitol-The Rest of the Story

In the 19th Century, when caretakers of public buildings kept cats around for rodent control, the U.S. Capitol Building maintained a thriving feline population in its depths. Now that pest control has been handed over to beings with just two legs, only one cat remains. He’s one cat that no one in their right mind wants to tangle with. He’s the dreaded Demon Cat of the Capitol; D.C. for short.

According to an article that appeared in the Oct. 2, 1898 issue of the Philadelphia Press, “The Capitol at Washington is probably the most thoroughly haunted building in the world.”
I don’t know about that. I can think of twenty places that claim to have more ghosts than the U.S. Capitol. The article continues, “Not less than fifteen well-authenticated ghosts infest it, and some of them are of a more than ordinarily alarming character.” That alarming character was the Demon Cat.

A visit by D.C was recorded by newspapers in 1862. A capitol watchman shot at the creature. For a while after this attack, the Demon Cat was the topic of nightly conversations. Hardened lawmen admitted to each other they didn’t want to go into the bowels of the capitol alone.
D.C. usually makes his appearances in the basement of the Senate near the Catafalque Storage Room. The catafalque is the raised ceremonial platform on which a president’s casket rests when he lies in state in the Rotunda. It’s kept in the crypt beneath the Capitol Rotunda where the funereal supplies are stored.

Time passed without another appearance from the creature; security guards came and went. D.C. ceased to be a nightly topic. Although one or two of the senior officers would still speak of the coal black cat in fearful and awed whispers. For 35 years the cat sat in wait among the shadows. It finally re-emerged in October 1898.

Unlike other spirits who appear randomly, the Demon Cat appears with the precision of Julius Caesar’s soothsayer as if to say, “Beware the Ides of March.” (Or maybe it means, "Keep your head low.") Just as the soothsayer warned of the death of a leader, so (supposedly) does D.C.
But the possibility of running into D.C. makes the basement a place where angels and security guards fear to tread. Walking a beat alone in the depths of a two-hundred year old building would be unnerving on its own, without the ever-present threat of a nighttime visit from a massive black cat with a nasty disposition. The sight of even the most innocent stray black cat wandering the basement was enough to make a grown man tremble like a frightened toddler—even when the grown man was a professional lawman.

Large paw prints permanently cast into the concrete project a constant reminder that the black cat may lurk just around the corner. Accounts have indicated that the cat waits until his victim is alone, then attacks.

According to reports, in 1862 and 1898, guards shot at a black cat that grew to the size of a tiger. Another guard, while rattling doorknobs, spotted a black kitty walking toward him. The guard froze, as if encased in plastic. With yellow eyes glowing, the cat appeared to develop and swell, all the while drawing nearer. He grew to the size of a large dog. Still unable to flee the man stared helpless as the Doberman-size panther charged within a fathom of him. The next step the cat had grown to lion-size, feet extended, fangs and claws brought fully to bear. The guard, still paralyzed watched the cat spring toward his face. Hopefully, it would be quick. One victim said it swelled to the size of a small elephant. (Yeah, right. Can you say, alcohol rehab?) Then, when it was close enough for the man to see inside the beast’s mouth, it simply vanished. Not all of D.C.’s victims emerge from the Catafalque store unscathed. A few actually showed up with impressive domestic cat scratches.

They say the cat was spotted by a security guard the week before the 1929 Stock Market Crash, and again, just before President Kennedy was assassinated in 1963 (although I haven’t been able to verify this.) However, there has no report of the cat in recent decades or even prior to catastrophes like 9/11 or Hurricanes Katrina and Ike. However, it is possible that the secret service simply kept it a secret. We’ll never know.

I wonder if D.C. would respond to turkey cat treats and catnip? I’d love to try.

(Don’t forget to enter Dusty Rainbolt's Ghoulish Pet Photo Contest at www.zootoo.com/petphotocontests.

Dusty Rainbolt
Member of Cat Writers' Association & International Association of Animal Behavior Consultants
Host of Paranormal Pets on PetLifeRadio.com
Author of Cat Wrangling Made Easy: Maintaining Peace & Sanity in Your Multicat Home, Ghost Cats: Human Encounters with Feline Spirits, Kittens for Dummies, All the Marbles
www.dustyrainbolt.com

Are you being visited by a departed pet?

As we approach Halloween I thought I might share a little of what I’ve learned about animal spirits and tell an abbreviate version of a famous animal ghost story. As you may know, I’m the author of Ghost Cats: Human Encounters with Feline Spirits and the host of Paranormal Pets on PetLifeRadio.com, so people like to share their experiences with me.

Throughout recorded history people have reported the presence of animal ghosts. While most say the encounters have been friendly and comforting, there is a famous entity with an ominous reputation. Reports of a frightening feline spectre come from the very top, or at least rather from security at the very top. The most feared of America’s feline spirits stalks the basement of the nation’s capitol in Washington, D.C. He’s known as the Demon Cat of the Capitol, D.C. for short.

On several occasions guards have reported being attacked by a black cat prowling the shadows of the basement. According to newspaper reports, in 1862 and 1898, guards shot at a black cat that grew to the size of a tiger.

One story said the legend was so popular that inspired a tiny black cat depicted the back of the old-style (1970’s to 1996) twenty-dollar bill. If you use a loop (and can find one of these old bills) you can see a cat walking across the roof of the White House. I’ve seen the image, but haven’t been able to confirm the origin.

Unlike the frightening D.C., people usually report feeling comforted by a visit from their departed pet. The most common animal hauntings involve dogs, cats, and horses because of their close association with people.

Is one of your past pets popping in for an occasional visit? The three most common signs of animal ghosts are reported to be:

Feeling the presence of the animal- Some people report the feeling the dog or cat animal jump into their bed and lay down in their customary spot. Others have the feeling that the pet is touching their skin. Horse owners have reported unmistakable sensation warm horse breath blowing across their necks and shoulders.

Seeing the animal: Often individuals glimpse their pets briefly out of the corner of their eye. Occasionally they see the pet straight on. Experts suggest these images are more likely to be seen peripherally because the peripheral vision is more sensitive and the outer retina contains more rod cells.

Hearing the animal: Some people report hearing meowing, purring, barking, or the clicking of toenails on the floor or the jangling of tack.

Often animal hauntings are a one-time or short-term occurrence. Occasionally people experience prolonged haunting. Many cultures, including Native Americans, believe that animal spirits are protectors or guides.

Why do they come back? Why do human ghosts return? No one can say with complete certainty, however many people who have experienced theses situations believe that they are for the owner's closure and resolution. These visits often allow a grieving owner to get on with their life. Many feel that the pet has given them permission to love again.

If you’re interested, I can go into more on D.C. When I have more time. Until then, don’t forget to enter Dusty Rainbolt's Ghoulish Pet Photo Contest at www.zootoo.com.

Dusty Rainbolt
Member of Cat Writers' Association & International Association of Animal Behavior Consultants
Host of Paranormal Pets at PetLifeRadio.com
Author of Cat Wrangling Made Easy: Maintaining Peace & Sanity in Your Multicat Home, Ghost Cats: Human Encounters with Feline Spirits, Kittens for Dummies, All the Marbles
www.dustyrainbolt.com

Are you being visited by a departed pet?

As we approach Halloween I thought I might share a little of what I’ve learned about animal spirits and tell an abbreviate version of a famous animal ghost story. As you may know, I’m the author of Ghost Cats: Human Encounters with Feline Spirits and the host of Paranormal Pets on PetLifeRadio.com, so people like to share their experiences with me.

Throughout recorded history people have reported the presence of animal ghosts. While most say the encounters have been friendly and comforting, there is a famous entity with an ominous reputation. Reports of a frightening feline spectre come from the very top, or at least rather from security at the very top. The most feared of America’s feline spirits stalks the basement of the nation’s capitol in Washington, D.C. He’s known as the Demon Cat of the Capitol, D.C. for short.

On several occasions guards have reported being attacked by a black cat prowling the shadows of the basement. According to newspaper reports, in 1862 and 1898, guards shot at a black cat that grew to the size of a tiger.

One story said the legend was so popular that inspired a tiny black cat depicted the back of the old-style (1970’s to 1996) twenty-dollar bill. If you use a loop (and can find one of these old bills) you can see a cat walking across the roof of the White House. I’ve seen the image, but haven’t been able to confirm the origin.

Unlike the frightening D.C., people usually report feeling comforted by a visit from their departed pet. The most common animal hauntings involve dogs, cats, and horses because of their close association with people.

Is one of your past pets popping in for an occasional visit? The three most common signs of animal ghosts are reported to be:

Feeling the presence of the animal- Some people report the feeling the dog or cat animal jump into their bed and lay down in their customary spot. Others have the feeling that the pet is touching their skin. Horse owners have reported unmistakable sensation warm horse breath blowing across their necks and shoulders.

Seeing the animal: Often individuals glimpse their pets briefly out of the corner of their eye. Occasionally they see the pet straight on. Experts suggest these images are more likely to be seen peripherally because the peripheral vision is more sensitive and the outer retina contains more rod cells.

Hearing the animal: Some people report hearing meowing, purring, barking, or the clicking of toenails on the floor or the jangling of tack.

Often animal hauntings are a one-time or short-term occurrence. Occasionally people experience prolonged haunting. Many cultures, including Native Americans, believe that animal spirits are protectors or guides.

Why do they come back? Why do human ghosts return? No one can say with complete certainty, however many people who have experienced theses situations believe that they are for the owner's closure and resolution. These visits often allow a grieving owner to get on with their life. Many feel that the pet has given them permission to love again.

If you’re interested, I can go into more on D.C. When I have more time. Until then, don’t forget to enter Dusty Rainbolt's Ghoulish Pet Photo Contest at www.zootoo.com.

Dusty Rainbolt
Member of Cat Writers' Association & International Association of Animal Behavior Consultants
Host of Paranormal Pets at PetLifeRadio.com
Author of Cat Wrangling Made Easy: Maintaining Peace & Sanity in Your Multicat Home, Ghost Cats: Human Encounters with Feline Spirits, Kittens for Dummies, All the Marbles
www.dustyrainbolt.com

Product of the Week-Litter Lifter

As some of you may know, I'm the product editor for Catnip, a wonderful newsletter published by Tufts University. I regularly find really great products. I'm going to start sharing one a week with you.

Litter-Lifter
I've been called the Queen of Cat Litter because I've tested so many cat litters, litter boxes, litter scoops, odor control products, litter mats, litter brooms...Okay, you get the picture. Did you know there’s a right and a wrong way to scoop clumpable litter? Cheap plastic scoops are flimsy and break up the clumps. With enough of those crumbs, even freshly scooped litter fills the house with "that aroma." You know the one--the smell that causes neighbors to sniff the air and ask, "Did you get another cat?"

Litter Lifter lets you scoop lots of poo in record time. It's made of rigid ABS plastic. There's nothing flimsy about this baby. With it you can tidy a box in seconds, but still manage to trap crumbs other scoops miss. The Litter-Lifter has 12 (count them 12) one-inch long wedge-shaped tines, that are narrower at the top and than at the bottom. Since litter slides through the teeth so quickly, and so close to the pan, it cuts down on dust. Dig the comfortable handle too. The scooping area measures 5-inches by 7-inches with a 6-inch long handle. It may not scoop by itself, but cuts down on the time it takes. Even though I get free scoops all the time, I try them and then toss them. None have compared to Litter Lifter. HAPPY SCOOPING!

For more information check out the Web site: www.litter-lifter.com or call Preferred Merchandizing, Inc at 888-548-8375.

Dusty Rainbolt
Member of Cat Writers' Association & International Association of Animal Behavior Consultants
Author of Cat Wrangling Made Easy, Ghost Cats: Human Encounters with Feline Spirits, Kittens for Dummies, All the Marbles
www.dustyrainbolt.com

Hemingway Cats: Bureaucracy Gone Amok

Key West, Florida—it’s a sleepy little island that’s hosted pirates, presidents and celebrities. It’s laid back. So laid back the locals called it Key Weird. I loved visiting Key Weird. And it is… really weird.

It’s also the home of Ernest Hemingway, Amelia Earhart, Louisa May Alcott, Truman Copote and many other famous names. Okay, I know that the MIA aviatrix was born in Kansas and Capote took his first breath in New Orleans. This Earhart and Capote have four feet and purr. They are residents of the Ernest Hemingway Home and Museum—descendents of the author’s original treasured polydactyl cat, Snowball. There are some 50 contented kitties living on the one-acre Hemingway compound.

A couple of years ago a disgruntled cat-detesting neighbor complained about the Hemingway Museum being a nuisance because the occasional feline would scale the brick wall and explore the neighborhood. The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) charged to the rescue. What makes the Hemingway cats the business of the esteemed USDA? Expense accounts—those poor agents have to trek to a popular resort town on the government’s dime (meaning you and I pay for the “work” trip) to investigate. The USDA determined that they had jurisdiction because the cats are an exhibit similar to a circus. That’s right, the cats, who get weekly vet checks and spend their time wandering the grounds are in the same category with performing tigers and zoo exhibits. (Can you say “Margaritas on an unlimited expense account?” Arriba!) The USDA continued to pursue the case even after judges dismissed it. At one point, the agency rented a room in a guesthouse near the Hemingway property in order to videotape the cats. There were midwinter visits to the sunny little island for high-ranking investigators, too. Yes indeed, ladies and gentlemen, our tax dollars at work.

In a time when contaminated food regularly makes its way onto our grocery store shelves and sometimes even into our pet food bowls, it seems criminal that this government agency would become obsessed about 50 historically significant cats belonging to a museum.

The thing that makes this case all the more appalling is Key West has a huge feral chicken population. You read that right. In 2004, Assistant City Manager John Jones estimated Key West had between 1,500 and 2,000 feral chickens roaming the 2-mile by 4-mile long island. It’s against the law to hurt, kill, eat, harass or molest the chickens in Key West. In an age where one only whispers the words “bird flu”, you’d think the USDA would have more pressing things to worry about in Key West.

The USDA made lots of suggestions over the years including caging the cats, installing an electric fence (isn’t that a lawsuit waiting to happen?), and removing them outright. After five years, the agency came to its senses and contacted animal behaviorist and professor at the University of Florida's College of Veterinary Medicine in Miami, Terry Curtis, DVM. Dr. Curtis said in a report that the cats appeared "well-cared for, healthy and content" and suggested the museum install a special fence. Unlike the USDA, Dr. Curtis took into consideration the historic nature of the property and the safety of both the cats and museum visitors. She recommended the property be surrounded by Purr-Fect Fence, a patent pending cat containment system made by Purr-Fect Fence LLC. Sounds like they could have easily come up with the Purr-fect idea five years earlier. But with free trips to a Florida resort town, where’s the incentive?

Over the five-year battle the museum has spent more than $250,000 for lawyers and the fence. The question still boils about whether or not the museum should be required to get a USDA license for the cats. Once again, the courts might have to settle that question.

Remember, folks. The USDA sacrificed so much for you. You are now protected from those dangerous kitty cats at the Ernest Hemingway House and Museum. Now, anyone for fried chicken?

Tune in next week for more Confessions of a Cat Writer. Same Cat Time…Same Cat Channel.

(You can see pictures of the Hemingway cats and the Key West Chickens on my Zootoo page http://www.zootoo.com/profile/dustycatwriter.)

Dusty Rainbolt
Member of Cat Writers' Association & International Association of Animal Behavior Consultants
Host of Paranormal Pets on PetLifeRadio.com
Author of Cat Wrangling Made Easy: Maintaining Peace & Sanity in Your Multicat Home, Ghost Cats: Human Encounters with Feline Spirits, Kittens for Dummies, All the Marbles
www.dustyrainbolt.com

The Rise of the Phoeix

Today Phoenix rose from the ashes.

A month ago today I met a pathetic brown tabby kitten in a cage at my vet’s office. He was crying and laying on his side. He couldn’t walk, wouldn’t eat, he had a concussion, both eyes were dilated and one was grotesquely enlarged. A drunk man had locked himself in the bedroom and beat up his son’s cat. The equally drunk wife could only wait helplessly listening to the screams of the kitty.

I don’t know the chain of events, but a neighbor grabbed the 10 year old son and the cat and left with them. Kitty was taken to the emergency clinic. The boy to Child Protective Services. Our Angel of Mercy called some area rescue groups to find refuge for Kitty. They were either full or didn’t bother to return her call. Being tied up with bureaucrats and lawyers to protect the boy, she simply didn’t have time to devote to finding Kitty a sanctuary. She prayed for help. I happened to come to my vet’s and saw the pathetic little tabby cat. The tech told me the story. I took him. I had to. I don’t think I’ve ever been an answer to prayer, but someone (or something) put me in that vet’s office on that particular day at that exact moment.

Kitty stayed at the clinic for another day so his young owner could say goodbye. When I arrived to pick him up, the vet techs were so excited. The kid was there. He wanted to meet me. A lump formed in my throat. What would I say to a child who had been through so much? I found him and his Angel of Mercy in the surgery. The boy was sitting cross-legged on the floor with Kitty who was wrapped in a towel. The kid dangled a piece of string in front of the cat’s face. Half-heartedly Kitty would reach his paw out, although with his dilated eyes, I doubt he could see anything.

The vet tech introduced me to the boy as the lady who’s going to take Kitty. He ask me, “Is my kitty going to be alright?” I said I’d take good care of him. I joined him on the floor and asked, “Are you sure you want to do this? If I take your cat you’ll never see him again.” His answer will haunt me forever. “If you take him, he won’t be hurt again.” Apparently there's plenty of pain to go around in that family. I’m sure that child desperately needed the security and unconditional love his cat offered, yet he was willing to let him go to keep him safe. That little boy showed such maturity, such sacrifice. Only the best for that deserving little kitty cat. The boy and his rescuer left.

I renamed him Phoenix, because he also had burns on his face. He had a quiet little nest in my bathroom—an enclosed bed gave him a great place to hide. Poor little thing would fall over whenever he took a step. But he was gentle and a trooper. He let me force feed him and medicate him. A few days later the animal ophthalmologist diagnosed the enlarged eye with trauma-induced glaucoma and cataracts, but gave me no real prognosis.

Within a week of the attack, Phoenix rolled over on his back, his paws stretched above his head and showed me his tummy. He loved a neck scratch. (That’s when I discovered he had recently had an embedded collar.) Amazingly, Phoenix isn't hand shy like so many other abused cats. He’s a people cat, this one, following my hubby and me around the house like a puppy and claiming our laps whenever we’d light in a chair to watch TV.

The rest of his body and spirit healed, but despite the world-class animal ophthalmologist, Phoenix’s eye continued to swell. This morning, ended another chapter in the book of the Phoenix. Enucleation, vets call it. Nice, clean, medical. It means removal of the eye. The vet said the surgery went great. He’s waking up and can go home later today. Finally, he’ll be pain free and now we can concentrate on finding, not just a home, but the perfect home. There’s no rush. Phoenix can call me mom until that special someone comes along.

So now you know part of the story of a brave boy, a brave cat, an angel of mercy and woman whose life has been changed forever them.

(I’m sorry this one isn’t funny. Sometimes life isn’t funny. If you’d like to donate to Phoenix’s mounting medical bills by paypal, (or to help so many other needy cats and dogs) please go to: http://animalalliesoftexas.org/SupportAAT/Donations.aspx?ID=12&MenuID=3& and write “Phoenix” in the comments box. I thank you and Phoenix thanks you.)

Tune in next week for more Confessions of A Cat Writer. Same Cat Time, Same Cat Station.

Paranormal Pets-Yeah Baby!

Can we talk....?

You may not know this but I have a radio background. Okay, I may not have been a famous on-air personality, but a bunch of my friends were. Now I'm doing it for real. I need some guests for my show Paranormal Pets.

Paranormal Pets is a program about the unexplained in the animal world. We have Bizarre Animal News, a guest and then we end with our Haunted Travel Guide, which includes hotels or public spots that are haunted by animals.

Are you a Bigfoot aficionado or chupacabra collector? Did the Loch Ness Monster ever ask you for $3.50? Have you sat down to tea with the Yeti? Maybe your cat (or dog or hamster, python or horse) has visited you from beyond the grave. Has anyone written a book about animal mythology or animal ghosts? Does your living dog or cat react to your own resident undead? Have you stayed in a hotel or B&B, or visited a public place haunted by an animal?

If you answered yes to any of these questions, contact me. We need to talk!

And if you're interested in the unexplained with an animal twist, tune in to Paranormal Pets at www.PetLifeRadio.com and expect the unexpected.

Purrs,
Dusty Rainbolt

Kits & Chips

When Yosuke, the African grey parrot from Nagareyama, Japan, recently made a break for it, he found out that the term “free as a bird” wasn’t all it was cracked up to be. Two weeks later when someone spotted the stray parrot, police caught him and took him to the pokey. The cops grilled him, but Yosuke refused to talk. They transferred him to a vet clinic where he finally let the cat out of the bag.

“I'm Mr. Yosuke Nakamura,” the parrot told the vet. He ‘fessed up and went on to recite his address and phone number. In no time he was sitting on his own perch and pooping on his own floor.

It’s a shame we can’t teach our cats and dogs to do that. Lord knows, I’ve tried. My Tonkinese-mix, Nixie, speaks on command, but her address sounds like, “Meow.” I have a feeling unless a pet psychic finds her they won’t be able to get past her North Texas accent. However, Nixie can still do the same thing Yosuke did. A little microchip under her skin will tell a vet or animal control officer everything they need to call me and give me a good chewing out because my cat was running loose.

Shelters run a scanner across the pet’s back. When it detects a microchip, it displays the kitty’s (or pooch’s) unique number. Your contact information is stored in a national database, and is just a phone call away. Remember, most shelters scan cats and dogs before they take that final fatal walk.

Give your kitty the same “Get out of Jail Free Card” Yosuke had. Your vet can place that little chip right where it counts—between the shoulder blades. (Where’d you think I was talking about?) You might even be able to get it cheaper from an area rescue group that conducts microchipping clinics (see www.animalalliesoftexas.org/Events/Calendar.aspx?ID=4&MenuID=4 for microchipping events in the Dallas Metroplex.) Don’t forget to notify the database company if you move or change your phone number. (I’ll be helping Animal Allies in a microchipping clinic on July 26, 2008 at Canine Courtyard in Flower Mound, TX from 11:00 to 13:00.)

Now I know your kitty (or pooch) has never made a break for it, so you may believe a microchip is a waste of money. Au contraire, my blind inside kitty, BK, wandered outside when the cable installer left the door open. We got him back, but I spent two sleepless, unproductive weeks looking for him. Even ID tags won’t guarantee your puss or pooch’s return. Cat collars are designed to come off if he gets tangled in something. Lost collars mean hasta la vista ID.

So get on the stick; get kitty a chip. See you at the microchipping clinic.

Tune in again soon for more Confessions of a Cat Writer. Same Cat Time…Same Cat Channel.