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The author in this short text remembers the passing of a beloved pet cat. Cats are beautiful animals and wonderful companions. They evolved together with humans in Africa, subsequently spread over the five continents with them, and became the subject of many human cultural activities, including art, poetry and religion. Abandoned and roaming free, cats readily return to the wild, potentially acquiring many zoonotic infections. Surprisingly, feline company is increasingly used for therapy of mental and other illnesses such as cardiovascular disorders. Responsible ownership and good veterinary care of these marvelous animals under the One Health paradigm are essential to their well-being as well as to that of humans. They are an ethical and small price to pay for the affectively rewarding relationships humans have with these endearing and evocative animals.

Las historias de niños salvajes suelen ser vistas como poco más que ficciones. Este ensayo explora dos casos de niños supuestamente criados por animales desde el punto de vista de la etología, tal como la define Deleuze: ¿ciencia práctica de las maneras de ser¿. Con ello se busca cuestionar el proyecto taxonómico que divide el mundo viviente en especies separadas, definidas en acuerdo con la noción de esencia. Al analizar las bases del escepticismo con que son recibidas estas historias, el ensayo propone que en ellas está en juego algo central al mundo moderno: el establecimiento de la distinción entre vida humana y vida animal.