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My Honest Loyal Furry Friends: Dogs and Cats in Literature
Cats or Dogs?
Confession: Direct vs. Reserved｜Hanging Out: Outdoor vs. Indoor｜Collection: There is More Than a House of Gold in a Book｜Taiwan's First Dog: Blacky from Southern Taiwan Science Park｜No.1 Cat in Taiwan Literature: A-Fei of Qidong Street Japanese Houses
The differences between cats and dogs are represented by their vivid and lovely figures in literary works; yet, despite their differences, they are both very cute! Do you know who Taiwan's first dog was? Do you know there is a big cat which grew up "eating" literature?
Confession: Direct vs. Reserved
🐶 Dogs are direct?／ 😼 Cats are proud?
Generally speaking, dogs rely on their owners and are direct with everything, whereas cats are more independent, and their emotions are like a subtle breaking ball. In literary works, there are often depictions of dogs being thrilled at seeing their owners at the door and cats being standoffish. However, every cat/dog has its own unique personality. Owners should spend more time with their pets and observe them so that they don't misunderstand their pets because of stereotypes.
When the war in 1895 ended, I finally returned home. My silly yellow dog thought I looked familiar and stared straight at me with its big eyes. The black dog was very clever and it came to me immediately with its tail wagging. The spotted cat was feeling moody as it had just got out of bed; it started meowing its irritation for being woken up. The scene was vibrant, warm, and fun. The sudden reunion after a long separation is like what life is: both a sad and a joyful experience.
—Wu Degong, "Home Returning"
ฅ(=ˇωˇ=)ฅ
When she is in a good mood, she comes downstairs and responds to me. I call her and she responds with a meow. That meow sound is made with clear inflection; it has a different rhythm each time. When she is in a bad mood, she will walk slowly to the ground floor without making any sound. She will then hold up her face and roll her eyes, showing me a face of irritation that says: "I'm right here! Stop calling!" At this moment, I am often not sure which one of us is the owner and which one is the pet. Fortunately, neither of us is proud. I am also happy to have the honor to be the pet of my cat.
—Chong Yee-voon, "Little Girl," ME AND THE UNIVERSE I KEEP IN CAPTIVITY
ฅ(=^ ω ^=)ฅ
Upon returning home, the key I pulled out had not yet been inserted into the keyhole, but I could already hear desperate crying on the other side of the door.
With my one foot inside, a white dog jumped at me, happily making circles around my feet. This white dog only had three legs, but it was as adroit as an Olympic figure skater.
—Lee Tung-hao, "Little White and Me"
Hanging Out: Outdoor vs. Indoor
🐶 Dogs are hardworking? / 😼 Cats are lazy?
In literary works, we often see dogs working hard and cats taking rest. In reality, most of the time, it is dogs that go to places with their owners. However, every dog/cat has different preferences. There are dogs that only want to go out when their owners beg them; there are also adventurous cats that cannot wait to get out when they see their harnesses.
✤ Manuscript of "Scenery with Cats"｜Dupan Fangge's modern poem delicately illustrates the scene where a cat plays under the sun.（From the National Museum of Taiwan Literature permanent collection／Donated by Dupan Fangge）
✤ Illustration of "I am Cat"｜Lin Huan-zhang uses simple lines to illustrate a cat and writes down its monologue. (From the National Museum of Taiwan Literature permanent collection／Donated by Lin Huan-zhang)
✤ Manuscript of "Cat's Eyes"｜This modern poem of Li Kuei-hsien displays delicate observation of a cat's eyes. The speculation about what a cat sees and the comfort a person feels while looking at a cat's eyes, even closing the eyes, can be quite an experience.（From the National Museum of Taiwan Literature permanent collection／Donated by Li Kuei-hsien）
✤ Manuscript of "Dog Pretending to be Asleep"｜This modern poem of Li Kuei-hsien vividly illustrates how dogs stay alert while sleeping. Dogs will immediately open their eyes while half asleep whenever they hear footsteps, drums, quarrels, or birds.（From the National Museum of Taiwan Literature permanent collection／Donated by Li Kuei-hsien）
Collection: There is More Than a House of Gold in a Book
🐶 Dog themed／😼 Cat themed
The museum houses dog/cat themed bookplates; each of them presents a unique dog/cat figure.
Taiwan's First Dog: Blacky from Southern Taiwan Science Park
A complete set of bones from a Taiwan dog was discovered at the Nanguan Village archaeological site of Southern Taiwan Science Park. It can be traced back to the Dapenkeng Culture 4,800 years ago. It was the first domesticated dog we know of today. When the bones were found, they were placed neatly, and its head was facing south just like how a body would be buried at that time. Thus, it was assumed that the dog was regarded as a companion; it was seen as a family member or a member of the community.
✤ Excavation Photo of Taiwan's First Dog｜Dog bones excavated at the archaeological site in Nanguan Village, Tainan City.（Provided by National Museum of Prehistory Southern Taiwan Science Park Branch）
No.1 Cat in Taiwan Literature: A-Fei of Qidong Street Japanese Houses
Who is A-Fei?
Have you ever noticed that there is a tabby cat around Taiwan Literature Base? His name is A-Fei. A-Fei doesn't care where his name comes from; after all, it is just something humans use to call him.
The age of A-Fei is unknown. As far as he remembers, he has been sunbathing around the Japanese houses along Qidong Street. A-Fei likes to eat rice. However, it is uncertain whether A-Fei has developed this special food preference because Qidong Street is also called "the rice street." After all, he cannot remember anything from an earlier time. There was a time when A-Fei enjoyed snuggling up in the residence of General Wang Shu-ming. He watched dramas with the General. Those were the days when Peking opera could be heard from the houses.
Virtual Ambassadors of Taiwan Literature Base
Taiwan Literature Base is located in the Qidong Street Japanese Houses. Virtual ambassadors have been created using the local stories of Qidong Street and relevant historical records: young girl Qiqi and A-Fei. They connect the local community with Taiwan literature, showing you the beauty of Taiwan culture!
≫ More about Taiwan Literature Base
✤ Ambassador Profile
Chichi
A young girl growing up along Qidong Street loved to go on adventures along the meandering Qidong street from a young age. The old trees and old houses are all part of her life. As the seasons change, the old trees have grown stronger. The old houses have meanwhile undergone dilapidation, restoration, and rejuvenation. She once participated in the initiative for preserving the Japanese-style dormitories with her parents. She has also turned into a lively college student healthily. She learns about literature and moving stories about Taiwan at Taiwan Literature Base.
A-Fei
A-Fei is supposedly a tiger deity. We have discovered that it changes with the people and things it encounters. For example, when it met General Wang, it became a powerful "big cat" because of Wang's nickname "Tiger General" and military exploits; it shared the same imposing aura as the General himself. The flying hat it is wearing seems to be a mark left by the Tiger General in the past. A-Fei has been silently watching the old houses being destroyed and how the residents of the community gather together to protect the old dormitories. Perhaps A-Fei is only waiting for someone he can connect with again.
➥ Taiwan Literature Base's Reading Hall was home to Wang Shu-ming, the Colonel general of the Republic of China Air Force once called Tiger General. In his spare time, he devoted himself to promoting Beijing Opera. This is one of the scenes of the Beijing opera taking place in a Japanese-style building.
➥ Before and after the 2nd millennium year, residents of Qidong Street started to participate in the preservation of old trees and old houses. The young QiQi met A-Fei for the first time at the time.
➥ QiQi, who is already a college student, follows A-Fei and accidentally enters Taiwan Literature Base, marking the beginning of their literary journey.
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