Really long ago, before I was even born, my parents had a pet cat named Hekate. My Mom says that name means she is a witch's cat, but really she is just a sweetie.
When I was born, my parents didn't want Hekate to be jealous, especially being a witch's cat, so they decided that everything they did with me, they would do with her too.
They had read lots of books about how to take care of babies, and the books all said to talk to the baby a lot, so they talked to me a lot, and of course, they talked to Hekate too.
Hekate is part Siamese, and they sound almost like people anyway, and they are VERY smart. So it was really no big surprise to my Mom when her meows started to sound like "more" and "out." Pretty soon she could say a bunch of words. In fact, Mom and Dad say she learned them faster than I did!
Mom and Dad decided they better not tell anyone. Their friends already thought they were kind of wacky, just for talking to the cat.
When I was a little older they read some more books, about how to raise a child. These books all said to read to the child, so they read to me a lot, and of course, they read to Hekate too.
They read slowly, and pointed to each word. Cats just LOVE to follow your finger, so Hekate followed every word. Pretty soon she could read a few words, and say them of course. And again, she learned them faster than I did!
Now, my favorite thing in the whole world is to sit and read, with Hekate sitting in my lap reading along.