“Welcome! Welcome to my space! I’m a fine black and white fellow, maybe a year or two old. I’m very soft, very pettable, and I’m told I have the cutest black nose. Who am I? Well, now, that’s a good question. Folks call me Tommy B., but I think they meant Tommy A. I was hanging out at the University of St. Thomas. Now it is named for Saint Thomas Aquinas, so don’t you think I should be Tommy A. Oh, you’re not sure it’s proper to mess with saints? Don’t be silly….”

“I was at the University because I’m a profound sort, a philosophy professor. Also taught ethics at the business school. Really. Every now and then, my students brought me food. I said, ‘You know, I can’t just teach all day and all night. I need a place to live and sleep and be a cat – which, of course, I am. Also a place to write – don’t you think it’s time we updated Summa Theologica? I mean, it’s been almost 800 years, and we have no scriptural commentary by a Cat!”

“I am gentle and quiet, and I do like people. Actually, I like people a lot. I’m just not inclined to sing and dance about it. I save my energy for serious theological discussions with myself. Purring! Yes, purring – that’s me talking to myself and uncovering great universal truths. Oh? You thought purring was about happiness? Well, that, too. Also about good food, warm blankets, friendly people. How about if I just walk up and give you a couple of sniffs so I can find out who you are? It’s how cats learn about each other and about people? Sniff. Sniff. Hmm. Two other cats, some tuna, and…a taco! That’s what I sniff. So how come you didn’t bring me the tuna – and the taco?”