Charles Dickens Cat Paw Letter Opener

Charles Dickens’s letter opener with the paw of his cat, Bob, 1862. Berg Collection.

Does the handle of that letter opener remind you of something? Perhaps something feline? It's Charles Dickens' letter opener and the handle is the paw of his pet cat, Bob. I'm assuming Dickens preserved the paw because he loved the cat. You can see it at the New York Public Library Exhibition celebrating their 100th anniversary.

Link - Via Book Of Joe

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I love my cats but I have no intention of keeping any part of their bodies after they've left this life.

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There's a better way!

http://www.neatorama.com/2007/05/12/using-a-rabbit-as-a-letter-opener/

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When I was about twelve, I knew a girl who announced her plan to save her cat's skin after he died "because it was so soft". I was speechless. Sick sick sick

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One would hope that it was taken after Bob's demise. Else that's declawing taken to the extreme!