Yes, yes, we know that every day is Respect Your Cat Day, but March 28 is the official designated Day, which I suspect was introduced by cats to remind us of this very fact. It’s the annual pussfest where cat butlers are encouraged to respect their bosses by offering more and better treats, spending quality time playing laser dot, presenting new and different cardboard boxes, stroking, pampering, and providing a special meal of whatever the cat currently hates least. (These are just suggestions of course. Some cats will feel more respected if you just leave them alone.) 

All very good things, but once again Belvedere and I are puzzling about the origins of RYCD. Who introduced it, and when? Was it Richard II’s edict of 1384? An anonymous ailurophile in 2006? A petfood megacorp’s publicity stunt in 2014?  

We covered most of these points in our Newsletter post of last year. (SEE newsletter post R-E-S-P-E-C-T 27/3/24 to study our conclusions) but so far no new evidence has come to light. We can’t find a single convincing reason why this date was chosen: it is not the birthday of any hitherto unsuspected cat fan, the numbers 0328 don’t add up to anything auspicious, there seem to be no cat-based events – if you know better, please get in touch. 

I still maintain it was a Cat Don who was overly impressed by Vito Corleone, or at least Corleone’s cat. but Belvedere thinks this too obvious.  See Below. We do agree that it must have been a cat, or a clowder of cats, intent on improving their quality of life, and can only admire their chutzpah. 

We fear it will remain an enigma wrapped in another enigma for the next year as well. If you have any ideas, or a theory of your own, or suspect that the cat who owns you may be the instigator, or knows who it is, do let us know in the comments. 

Meanwhile, make sure you pay some proper respect. 

Watch THE respct clip click here..