"The Shapeshifting Monster Cat"

There is a legend, in Japan... 

If a cat is allowed to grow a long tail, 

it will turn into a bakeneko,

a "monster cat". 

If the tail splits, 

it becomes a nekomata

a "forked cat".

It will ignite ghostly fireballs in the house, 

eat its mistress and steal her form, 

devour any obstacle in its path, 

and resurrect corpses by jumping over them.

{This may have led to the
popular breeding of Japanese Bobtails.}

They're part of the bakemono "shapeshifter" family, 

which also houses foxes, badgers, and raccoon dogs.

Maaaybe I shouldn't be researching all this 

while I'm petsitting a cat.

{images © their respective owners}