the darkness has not overcome it

Huh. Interesting. Yes, that makes a lot of sense. Especially considering the fact that my parents' cat, who looks a lot like a maine coon, is really not all that social. I agree, as well, that a doglike cat is great, although having Mel cry from upstairs ("where have you been? why are you stopping downstairs?) while I'm looking through the mail-pile is occasionally disconcerting.