ASL Solutions Blog

Have you ever heard of a goat mayor? How about a cat or a dog? What about...foot powder? This is by no means a comprehensive list, but nonetheless a solid sampling of some of the past and current electoral candidates who weren't or aren't exactly human. Incitatus, the Roman consul horse They say to never look a gift horse in the mouth, but what about a Roman consul horse? The Roman emperor Caligula ruled between 37-41 CE. It is said that he had a favorite horse, known by the name Incitatus. This horse was such a favorite that Caligula wanted to have him nominated for consul (an important political position at the time). Incitatus may not have made consul, but he did make out like a bandit otherwise: a marble stable, an ivory manger, purple blankets, and a collar encrusted with fine jewels were among the gifts lavished upon the horse. Cassius Dio, a prominent Roman historian who lived well after Caligula, even claimed that Incitatus was attended by servants and fed oats sprinkl...

When you think Amsterdam, your first thought could be many things    bikes, canals, coffee shops    but it's probably not a museum dedicated to cat art. This little museum is a delightful glimpse into and homage to cats and how they've inspired artists from Pablo Picasso to Rembrandt, Henri de Toulouse-Lautrec to Corneille. Located at Herengracht 497, 1017 BT Amsterdam, Netherlands (quite close to the lovely Bloemenmarkt, Amsterdam's famous floating flower market), this unusual museum is worth the visit. A dining room laden with cat paintings, statues, and red decor. The museum is housed on the first floor (the piano nobile , if you want to feel fancy) of a classically furnished Amsterdam home that was built in 1667. The building went through many different inhabitants and owners before it became the KattenKabinet, or Cat Cabinet. A former Amsterdam mayor, Jan Calkoen, lived there during his mayorship. Former American president John Adams stayed there once as we...