A word from our four-legged weather watchers

Earlier this month, I wrote a few words about cats, and the mysterious lore and superstitions attached to the finicky felines. That set a spark in some of you who reached out with some great stories. Here is a couple of them:

This cat tale comes from Wanda Rogers, in St. John’s, N.L.

“Hi, Cindy:

I’ve been trying to get this picture for over a week, but our cat, Newman, always seems to know when I’m getting near him with a camera, and wakes up and looks at me before I have time to take it.

Growing up, we always watched our cat’s behaviour to determine the weather. A cat sleeping on the crown of its head was a sure sign of bad weather. Newman has been sleeping this way off and on for over a week; the rain, drizzle, and fog we’ve been experiencing is certainly proof that there’s something to this superstition. I long for the day he starts sleeping normally.

Stay safe.

– Wanda Rogers.

P.S. I won’t tell my husband you’re a Habs fan ... he’s an avid Leafs’ fan.”

Of course, we can’t leave out man’s best friend. This letter comes from Cathy Anderson:

“I would like to share a little story about my 15-month-old,

Bernese mountain dog named Mac.

Mac is a good boy, loves my grandchildren and fits in extremely well with life here on our farm! We adopted Mac as a wee puppy just before the pandemic began. When everything shut down, I embraced the perfect opportunity to do some mega dog training, or so I thought!

Mac has learned many tricks that are fun for sure. One trick that he has, I did not teach him. He was out of sorts a couple of weeks ago pacing, panting and not interested in his food. I didn’t understand why until the thunder

started late in the evening! Thunder in March is rare, as you know.

I know his signs now to warn us of weather and have medicine to help him through the next thunderstorm.

In closing, I will say that the new dog taught the old dog (me) a new trick!

If you have stories about your prognosticating pets, I’d love to hear them. My email address is weathermail@ weatherbyday.ca.

Last week, Newman was the bearer of bad news. According to cat-lore and Wanda Rogers of St. John’s, N.L., a cat sleeping on the crown of its head is a sure sign of bad weather.