By Kevin Connolly
BBC News, Jerusalem
There is some evidence that humans and cats first learned to cohabit in the Middle East, where cat bones are often discovered among the architectural ruins. But there is nothing sentimental about the relationship between people and the cats that roam Jerusalem’s streets.
No animals were hurt during the writing of this article.
A couple of bin bags got ripped open and I got a bit of a shock – but otherwise, everyone is OK.
I felt I had to establish that because this is a story about cats – and the cats around my way are probably tougher than the dogs around your way.
I am not talking about the kind of kittens who play with balls of darning wool and eat chicken pieces simmered in tarragon cream.
Our cats are lairy, wary, rangy creatures. Quick on their feet and short on lovability.
They look as though if they rolled up the fur on their front paws to prepare for a fight you would find the muscles below bulging with tattoos of daggers and anchors.
Categories: Animals, Arab World, Asia, Israel, Palestine
a good sign if the reporter has nothing else to write about?