The tigers I included in my last post, got me to thinking about cats while I've been "self-distancing," and otherwise trying to avoid the coronavirus. A bit of my time has been spent watching news sources I trust to give me reasonably accurate information, reading, building Harry Potter LEGO's, helping with daughter #2 (Maggi)'s wedding (held on our back porch with me officiating!) and enjoying watching our cat, Fred. Not long ago, specifically on Easter Sunday, we celebrated Fred's thirteenth birthday. I have to confess that we don't know his exact birthday as we weren't around at the time. We DO know, however, exactly when we adopted him. And I figure that if they can make up a birthdate for Shakespeare based on a reasonable guess, we can do the same for our cat. It's pretty close, in any event.
Shortly after Finals for Fall Semester of 2008, Bonnie had most of the "metal" removed from her leg which had been put in during the spring of 2005 when she fell in our garden and broke her leg. This seemed like a good time for this as: 1.) the metal pieces were no longer needed; 2.) it was routine surgery, and: 3.) there was plenty of time available because WCU was, for all intents and purposes, shut down for the holidays, so I'd be home to see to assisting her as needed. We were without cats at the time because the last of our almost continual companions had passed that fall and we weren't planning on getting another pet, at least for a while. Then, Kate, the older daughter, called us on the 'phone....
She told us that one of her friends had two, declawed, neutered, male "kittens" (litter mates) which the friend was unable to keep because one of her children had just been diagnosed as highly allergic to cats, and the local animal shelter wouldn't take them because they had been declawed, and since we were without any cats, and we NEEDED to have at least one, so why didn't we just come up to get these? So, of course, we did.
That's easy to say but was more complicated than it sounds. Remember, Bonnie was just out of surgery on her leg, so she couldn't drive and was supposed to keep her leg elevated as much as possible. So, I drove her up to Leesburg, VA (about 500 miles, or 7+ hours from Webster), we spent the night in a motel, spent a VERY brief time with Kate, Ty, and the grandchildren because someone had a bad cold, then went to pick up the "kittens." Now, time was something of the essence, what with the need of the friend to get them out of the house, Xmas coming, snow approaching, and Bonnie on crutches and not walking much, due to the recent surgery. It was at this point that we discovered that the "kittens" were a good year and a half old and were good sized CATS, although they WERE not (quite) "fully" grown. They were close, but they did get larger as time passed! Anyway, they had been fed their "sleepy" drugs, so we bundled them into the car and got back on the road to Sylva. The trip was longish, of course, but not really a problem. So now we had two cats. Then, Bonnie's brother arrived for the holidays.
Six years later, we had to move the "guys" to Omaha after we retired and that was a somewhat longer and more complex trip (lasting about 16 hours and requiring a replenishment of the "good" drugs along the way). We all survived that, as well. Here's a picture of "our guys" curled up together next to the fireplace a short time after we all got settled in Omaha.
Shortly after Finals for Fall Semester of 2008, Bonnie had most of the "metal" removed from her leg which had been put in during the spring of 2005 when she fell in our garden and broke her leg. This seemed like a good time for this as: 1.) the metal pieces were no longer needed; 2.) it was routine surgery, and: 3.) there was plenty of time available because WCU was, for all intents and purposes, shut down for the holidays, so I'd be home to see to assisting her as needed. We were without cats at the time because the last of our almost continual companions had passed that fall and we weren't planning on getting another pet, at least for a while. Then, Kate, the older daughter, called us on the 'phone....
She told us that one of her friends had two, declawed, neutered, male "kittens" (litter mates) which the friend was unable to keep because one of her children had just been diagnosed as highly allergic to cats, and the local animal shelter wouldn't take them because they had been declawed, and since we were without any cats, and we NEEDED to have at least one, so why didn't we just come up to get these? So, of course, we did.
That's easy to say but was more complicated than it sounds. Remember, Bonnie was just out of surgery on her leg, so she couldn't drive and was supposed to keep her leg elevated as much as possible. So, I drove her up to Leesburg, VA (about 500 miles, or 7+ hours from Webster), we spent the night in a motel, spent a VERY brief time with Kate, Ty, and the grandchildren because someone had a bad cold, then went to pick up the "kittens." Now, time was something of the essence, what with the need of the friend to get them out of the house, Xmas coming, snow approaching, and Bonnie on crutches and not walking much, due to the recent surgery. It was at this point that we discovered that the "kittens" were a good year and a half old and were good sized CATS, although they WERE not (quite) "fully" grown. They were close, but they did get larger as time passed! Anyway, they had been fed their "sleepy" drugs, so we bundled them into the car and got back on the road to Sylva. The trip was longish, of course, but not really a problem. So now we had two cats. Then, Bonnie's brother arrived for the holidays.
Six years later, we had to move the "guys" to Omaha after we retired and that was a somewhat longer and more complex trip (lasting about 16 hours and requiring a replenishment of the "good" drugs along the way). We all survived that, as well. Here's a picture of "our guys" curled up together next to the fireplace a short time after we all got settled in Omaha.
Fred is the grey-furred one and George has black fur. I don't remember their "birth" names, but we decided that, since they were litter mates, they should, properly, be named for the Weasley twins from the Harry Potter stories, so that's who they became.
All was well until just a bit over two years ago, when Bonnie and I were in the living room watching the news one morning, when we heard a "thump" from the kitchen. We went to investigate and discovered George collapsed in front of the cat condo we had set up so that the cats could watch the birds and squirrels on the back porch. We bundled him into a towel and rushed to the vet's office down the way, but it was too late. The vet suspected a heart condition which hadn't previously been detected. So, then we were down to one cat, again, with just the memories of our "twins" curled up on our sofa with a Hogwarts throw pillow.
All was well until just a bit over two years ago, when Bonnie and I were in the living room watching the news one morning, when we heard a "thump" from the kitchen. We went to investigate and discovered George collapsed in front of the cat condo we had set up so that the cats could watch the birds and squirrels on the back porch. We bundled him into a towel and rushed to the vet's office down the way, but it was too late. The vet suspected a heart condition which hadn't previously been detected. So, then we were down to one cat, again, with just the memories of our "twins" curled up on our sofa with a Hogwarts throw pillow.
However, we still have Fred, who reminds us with some frequency that he expects us to do our part of taking care of him, as we have opposable thumbs suitable for cat "skritching," can opening, and other endeavors necessary for his comfort and convenience. Here's a picture of him from the other day.
I confess that, while he's really Bonnie's cat (she feeds him mostly, so she gets most of his affection) I think his naturally highly inquisitive expression is most endearing. I AM very fond of him. I even wrote a sort of haiku about him.
Fred
Nose as black as coal,
Coat of plushy, gray softness
Collar of purple
Okay, it's not great poetry, but I like it for Fred, and, yes, he does wear a purple collar to support his cat license, rabies tag and a little bell which "tinkles" nicely against his bowl when he eats. I think it's quite pleasant.
Of course, I have always liked cats. Probably my favorite spot in the "temperate" portion of the conservatory at Lauritzen Gardens (the local botanical gardens) is this statue of two cats "talking," shown here at Xmas time a couple of years ago.
Fred
Nose as black as coal,
Coat of plushy, gray softness
Collar of purple
Okay, it's not great poetry, but I like it for Fred, and, yes, he does wear a purple collar to support his cat license, rabies tag and a little bell which "tinkles" nicely against his bowl when he eats. I think it's quite pleasant.
Of course, I have always liked cats. Probably my favorite spot in the "temperate" portion of the conservatory at Lauritzen Gardens (the local botanical gardens) is this statue of two cats "talking," shown here at Xmas time a couple of years ago.
The trick with cats, I think (assuming that there IS one), is to accept the fact that YOU are NOT in charge of THEM! You ARE in charge of feeding them, providing a clean litter box and proper, adequately supplied, food, but you are NOT the Boss! Once you accept that, you may find, as I have, that one, or more, cats can actually be rather fun to have around. And, they can, when it suits them, be pleasant, and even affectionate, towards you. I think what I have missed the most about being "catless" on occasion, was not having to fight for room to sleep and blankets to keep warm with in the bed I have shared with Bonnie (and various cat[s]) since 1966. We have had periods of being without a cat, but for the vast majority of that time we have had at least one to fight with for bed and blanket space.
Perhaps what I like the most about cats, other than the occasional cuddle and purr, is the fact that they have strong personalities and are not ashamed to let you know it. When they are hungry, they expect to be fed promptly and properly, and they will let you know if you are not doing your job correctly.
Perhaps what I like the most about cats, other than the occasional cuddle and purr, is the fact that they have strong personalities and are not ashamed to let you know it. When they are hungry, they expect to be fed promptly and properly, and they will let you know if you are not doing your job correctly.
Of course, doing your job of feeding and caring for the cat your job adequately does NOT (at least in the mind of any cat I have known) preclude that there is the possibility of additional "goodies" which might come their way, if they were to get lucky. Note below:
There is also the fact that most cats are capable of being VERY affectionate when there is some prospect of them acquiring something they desire in response. There is considerable variety in what a cat may be seeking, more food, treats, a head scratch, a tummy rub, just a warm lap to curl up in/on; but woe be unto the cat "owner" who thinks that he/she is entitled to such affectionate responses. The reality of the situation is shown below:
Clearly Wiley (the creator of Non Sequitur, the cartoon) understands the hierarchy of the world as seen by cats. There is really no use fighting it. That probably explains why there are "dog people" and "cat people." Dog people want to own a slave to whom they will be tied by the necessity of not only feeding them, but taking them for walks, etc. Cat people do have to feed their pets and clean litter boxes every so often, but they recognize the cat is only agreeing to share their domicile with them as long as the person does his job properly. Hence:
I don't remember exactly when we got this sign, but I know it was in our kitchen (near the cats' dinner dishes) when we lived in Webster, so it's been a while, and it still resides near the cat dishes to remind us of our "proper" role in life. As I suggested, Bonnie and I have accepted our roles in our cat's universe and that's okay. We've never had a cat who wasn't worth the effort. I just don't suggest going into such a relationship without knowing what you are doing.
Back in a couple of weeks,
LLAP
Dr. B
P.S. It's also worth noting that I believe that Montaigne knew whereof he spoke when he said: "In nine lifetimes, you'll never know as much about your cat as your cat knows about you."
Back in a couple of weeks,
LLAP
Dr. B
P.S. It's also worth noting that I believe that Montaigne knew whereof he spoke when he said: "In nine lifetimes, you'll never know as much about your cat as your cat knows about you."
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