Cats: What They've Done To Me
Cats: Various Little Beasts Over The Years
Four cats have lived with me over the years. They've all had mongrel parentage and the customary regal manners and they've all been a source of joy and pain. Real pain and drawing blood in some cases.
I thought I'd reminisce about each of them in turn; I suspect that at the end you'll be nodding in recognition (cat lovers) or you'll have left after two paragraphs thinking what an idiot I am (cats, hate 'em). Anyway, let's see what comes out as I ramble on.
I'll post first about Cat 1 -- if anyone likes it I'll add Cats 2-4 as time goes on.
About Me And Pictures
I'm not sure I should be writing about me -- I don't think the cats would have approved of losing the focus of attention ...
Sadly I don't have a cat at the moment as I live in a first floor flat on a very busy main road -- and if you read on you'll understand why the road especially bothers me..
I moved around quite a bit for some years and in the process cat pictures got lost. I'll scour the web for pics that are as close as possible. The intro image almost literally leapt off the page at me as the spitting image of Cat 4. My thanks to all the cats pictured here for deigning to pose,
ps "leapt" and "spitting" are words that may reoccur in the course of this lens ...
Cat 1: Let's Have One Of The Kittens
Living in Croydon at the time with two lovely Irish women. One day P said "So and so's cat has had kittens, let's get one."
"Okay." and that was it. Off to see mother and kittens, nesting in a large box on a gray blanket. Anyone who knows of ducklings imprinting knows what happened next, and a few weeks later a tiny black and white cat arrived. "Fang" came into my head, god knows why, and so he was baptised.
Good little cat, rapidly housetrained, though we kept the litter tray just in case.
It was the middle of Winter when we got him and he decided he'd sleep on the mound of blankets that covered me at night. Every blanket I possessed, it was freezing. Woke up feeling odd, blearily peered at clock: 2:30 am. Odd feeling = moisture. Fang mews piteously. Waste of litter tray. Comfort cat, strip bed and change sheets. Put cut-up bin liners below blankets, drop off again. Woke up feeling odd. Peered blearily at clock: 3:30 am. Odd feeling = .... . Blow it, back to sleep ahead of a long laundry day. Took cat to vet who pointed out that he was young, the night was cold, it was perfectly normal and that'll be a week's wages please. Fang objected to vet trip and bit me.
First outdoor game Fang taught me was chase cum hide and seek in a small back garden. He didn't like to be found, though he always kept his head out to check my progress so I had to make allowances. Snow arrived and he loved it -- tiptoed stiff-legged across the unbroken surface barely leaving a track. We had to play hide and seek in it, of course: a good long game. It only finished when I heard a noise and looked up to see a couple of workmen on a neighbouring roof staring at this lunatic zigzagging across snow while talking to himself.
This Is How Close I Get When You're Asleep
Here's looking at you, kid.
The Downside Of Having A Cat
Fleas, damage and disease
Fleas
First problem wasn't too serious -- cat fleas. Mind you, if you've ever lain awake scratching feverishly you'll know what the little creatures are like. At that time the best treatment was an aerosol spray. Three times a day for five days. Fang hated aerosols -- no idea why but he treated them like they were the devil incarnate, He weighed seven and a half pounds and I was glad I had elbow-length leather motorbike gauntlets to wear - he ripped those in his objections to being sprayed. Non cat owners would not believe the strength in a furious cat.
Damage
Second problem was worse: he used to follow us down the road. Normally he was fine with cars but if he was with us he thought he could walk in the middle fo the road -- no matter how we tried to chase him. One dark wet night, off to the pub, car speeding by, disappeared cat. We looked for him but no sign and assumed he'd run off home, Got to the pub, couldn't sit there - back out into the rain, whistling and calling "Fang" as we peered into gardens and under hedges - and there he was, barely able to meow.. I got him home very carefully and settled him on his favourite jumper in front of a gas fire. Off to the vet next day - broken ribs and various bruises. To his credit, Fang wanted to take on an Alsatian in the waiting room amd he did bite the vet. Fang recovered, the costs near bankrupted me.
Disease
Third problem was the dreaded FIV -- often a killer in those days. Vet said, "nothing to be done, see how it goes." Took him home, gave him the best armchair as he weakened, carried him to a litterbox when he asked. Through a week I tried every one of his favourite foods -- never mind tinned or dry cat food, I tried raw liver (several kinds), lamb's kidneys, chicken, cod, crab - not a bite would he take, He was getting weaker and weaker and I had to think about The Choice. Fortunately he wasn't in pain but he couldn't even clean himself. Then one day, in absolute desperation, I dissolved a chicken stock cube in some tepid water and tried a teaspoonful - he lapped it up! About four spoons then, more later. Within a day he was tottering around the kitchen directing operations. No lingering ill effects whatsoever.
Fang went to live with my parents when I went back to Uni and went on to live a long and happy life. He had my mother wrapped round his little finger -- yowl if he didn't fancy tinned food and she was down the road to the butcher for bit of kidney. "He's a very fussy eater, isn't he?" she said. No, he's a cunning, manipulative little beggar. First proper pet I or she had ever had -- an astounding difference made by a little moggy.
Fang And Toys - Apart from curtains and furniture
He'd have loved this - we used to have great fun turning off the room lights and letting him chase a torch beam.
Cats And Christmas Trees
A real Christmas tree is just an adventure playground to a cat and any presents around it are to be unwrapped by the cat. Accept that and Christmas will be a lot less tense! Beware though, cats may try to eat chocolate ornaments and they shouldn't - so perhaps don't put anything like that on the tree,
Best Thing About Cats?
That little chirrup noise they make when they're happy
Cat Reads
"I am not a cat man, but a dog man, and all felines can tell this at a glance - a sharp, vindictive glance."
James Thurber
Photo Creds
Are we all mad to have a cat as a pet?
I'm a dog person. However, I have 2 cats now and I think they're great :)
more cats please
^._.^
Fang sounds like your typical cat. We used to have four cats and I still bear the scars. They were all different characters apart from their independence and determination to have their own way at all times.
We have had up to 35 cats at once. We used to keep exotic point Siamese: red points, lilac points, blue points, tortie points, lynx points. I have been owned by quite a few cats, in other words. I am not a dog person. If I have to have a pet, make it a cat. Enjoyed reading this.
Ah, that little rascal reminds me of my Echo! Such sweeties.
awww - I love him
God bless Fang. Now I want to hear about the other three.
Awwwww, Fang :) Glad he pulled through!
AHEM, I am mad-mad-mad-mad-mad-mad-mad !!!
Ah, that close up pic is precious! Yep ... I get Boots the cat doing that to me when she jumps up into my bed in the wee hours of the morning. She stares at me until I open my eyes and take my hands out from under the covers. She is all about hands!!! Loves to be rubbed on her face and head.
Absolutely love cats. No ifs, ands, or buts. Wish my husband would relent and let us adopt but he says he is my pet. He's hairy enough but I still want a kitty.
I was fortunate to have a cat who lived more than 20 years...she was a constant companion from the time I was a youngster in elementary school through my first job after college and meeting my future wife. I've never had a desire to get a new cat in my life because she was so special...Thanks for sharing your story.
My daughter's cat, Merlin, has finally worked his way into my heart after almost seven years. I finally recognized his right to exist when we got a new dog and Merlin made friends with him.
I've had cats (and dogs) all my life. I couldn't imagine life without a pet, but I can understand why you won't have a pet where you live now, too risky.
I've been a cat person all my life, so had to stop by to read about Fang. When I moved to Australia, I had to leave my 3 cats in new homes back in the U.S. Haven't had any in the 20 years since. I do miss them.
Well, now, I want to read about your other cats!
I'd love to have a cat...I think they have personality and would be fun to hang out with. Fang's story was fascinating....would still love to hear about the others you mentioned.
Cats are COOL! :)
I had three of them when living in the States, but had to give up two of them when I returned. One of them went with me out there and now as a 16-year-old, she has made the return journey.
I've never had a cat as a pet....although I've been the pet of many a cat.
I love cats and dogs both. Enjoyed reading about Fang. :)
Love cats, but where are the other three you mentoned?
No Cats are the best pets! unfortunately I am allergic to them.
a very well designed cat, great mask
What a wonderful story, I would love to meet cat 2,3 and 4. You are a wonderful story teller. And little Fang is gorgeous. I loved it.
What would we do without our cats? Life would be lovely, peaceful and frugal, but oh so dull and lonely!
@seegreen: Me too! And they mean it in the nicest possible way. |That's how close they sleep to each other when they're kittens so when they do it to you it means - they've adopted you as an honorary cat.
lovely dedication to cats; I'm such a cat person, just love the little "angels"
When I was young, we had two cats named Boobs and Goons. They were both deaf and every night they'd meow like crazy (not realizing how loud they were). It was so annoying! And every morning Boobs would climb on my bed and bat at my eyes until I woke up and fed him. Definitely quirky little things, but we loved them all the same.
Yes, we had about 10 cats at one time, while we were living in a big city on the first floor, but they could go outside on the roofs. Now we have only two left, but they count for 10.
NO! Cats are wonderful pets, they're more independent than dogs, though they can be a lot more arrogant. I think that's why men usually don't like cats! I've had many cats and they are so different than dogs. I've had dogs too, and I loved them.
Thanks for sharing Fang's story and the info about the benefits and downsides of having cats.
No, I couldn't live without my cats!
Vets are sooo expensive, but I would spend my last penny on mine if I had too.
Cats drive me mad at times,but they wonderfully make my day :] whenever I'm alone at home,I've 'someone' to talk to or have fun with;)
"This is how close I get when you're asleep" Been there!
I love cats. Their personality is predictable and yet unexpected, each with his own little crazy attitude toward life, and humans.
Such a cutie!
Love that face! Now write about the other cats. I'd love to meet them.
Fang is adorable!
Loved reading about Fang - a really entertaining lens. Would really love to read about the other three too! Blessed. :)
Just came by with a little scratch under the chin, I still miss my cat .. someday I will have the privelege again of being owned by a kitty.
Oh! PS: I have one that looks identical to the very first picture...Felix...except his little smudge is just off to the right side of his nose. Great lens...love the perceptual insights that can only come from a true cat lover!
I love my cats! Living in the country almost makes them a necessity as I don't like the mice and rats that live here too when they want to come inside. My cats make sure the boundaries of my home are free of the little critters I don't want to live with in my home...sure help keep them out of the chicken feed and pens too!
Cats are wonderful pets. I've always said that cats are a lot like children, but with claws. I currently have two Hunter and Dunkin. I consider them part of the family and enjoyed reading about a part of your family, Claw.
I love the close-up. Reminds me of my old cat Brandy. On Saturday morning , if I tried to sleep late, she would climb on my chest and lick my nose. If I didn't respond the third time it was a bite. I would wake up with her face inches from mine. Gotta love 'em.
i love cats...
yes thet can be a bit of a pian sometimes...
cats remind me alot of girls.... (perhaps thats one of the reaons the term catty came about)
Cats are wonderful pets. I live in town now, and have one cat. Like your cat Fang, my cat Cloe is a tuxedo cat. Love your cat story, and would like to read about your other cats too.
No, not mad at all. I love being enamored by my cat and adore when he wraps me around his little paw so lovingly, and me so willingly yielding to his persuasions. My black and white cat is called Romeo and I am his Juliette.
Isn't it fun being owned by cats? I loved the story...go Fang.
yep, we all are deifinitiely mad!
Awesome, I love this. You have a beautiful cat.
What on earth would you do without a cat?
Love this. Paris and I would like more please.
Browlf!
Cute stories...very cute pictures...I love our feral Kitty, she is the best cat we ever have owned. (see her lens)
LOL, this is a great lens, so well written and funny. *-*Blessed*-* and featured on Angel blessings for Dogs on squidoo - Other animals
Not at all. We are eternal optimists. Who else would keep living with them and acquiring more of them knowing what kind of personalities we are up against? Loved the lens. Read ya later, Paul.
I loved Fang's story and did nod in recognition quite a few times... the closeup pic of a cat staring at you while you sleep actually made me burst out laughing it is SO familiar. Strider has the bad habit of yawning in my face while he's at it though, 'Nuff said.
- AUTHOR
@ajgodinho: Thanks, I'll get on it as soon as I can.
I can't understand people who get pets and then mistreat them - or even just don't do a bit of research on care and attention.
Nice read on Cat #1, go ahead and include the rest, I say! ;) I don't have a cat or pet right now, but in the past we've had cats as pets. I think pets are great to have so long as they are well taken care of.
I love cats :)) We have 5 of them.
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