Culture Lesson - Class #1017

Just checked my email for the first time in weeks. Apparently I have won a lot of money. Now what's a cat supposed to do with money? Money's for humans. Now there was something about male enhancement, but Bevie deleted it before I could read what it was all about. I had kind of been hoping it was a way to reverse that trip to the vet I had a year or so ago. Now I'll never know. Humans.

Anyway, we have not had any real culture here in a while so I thought I would return to our lessons.

The information for this post has been taken from this site.

Cymric
(picture taken from this site)

The Cymric is a breed of long haired cat. They are often considered to be a long haired variety of the Manx breed of cats rather than being considered a completely distinct breed. In fact except for the long hair traits of cymric, both the breeds are similar to each other in all aspects. The word Cymru from which this name Cymric is derived is the indigenous Welsh name of Wales, though this is a myth that this breed of cat has any relation with the Welsh, the origin of cat is related to the successor of Manx Cats from the Isle of Man. Though most of the cat associations believe Cymric to be an original breed, the TICA and ACF regard it as a variety of the Manx.

History
Though the official acceptance of Cymric as a breed is a very recent phenomenon, the breed has existed on this earth for a long time. Their origin is traced back to the Isle of Man, an island located in the Irish Sea between England and Ireland where it is said to be introduced by human settlers and explorers. Cymric was earlier known to be Longhaired Manx, its name was later changed to be the name was changed to Cymric in 1970s. According to the records of the island, the special trait of taillessness in Cymric began as a mutation amongst Isle of Man's domestic cat population. As there is not much scope of varied gene pool in this small island, this trait became dominant and was passes from one generation to other along with the long hair genes. Many long haired tailless kittens were born from Manx but were often discarded as mutants. However, when the same kinds of kitten were born in Canada in 1960, they were treated with much respect and some time later recognized as a breed.

Appearance
The Cymric cat is identified as a tailless furry cat with a round head and full eyes. It is compressed and chubby in appearance. It has a short and thick neck over a mall to medium-sized muscular body. Adult males of Cymric breed weigh 9 to 13 pounds; adult female cats weigh 7 to 11 pounds. The ears of Cymric cat are medium-sized and widely spaced, narrowing gradually to a rounded tip. The hair of Cymric cat is mid length and dense over the main body adding more to its chubby appearance. The hair gradually grows from shoulders to rump. The hair on the abdomen and neck ruff is usually longer than that on the main body. The cheeks of Cymric cats are thick and full and its facial hair extends towards its cheeks like bib. This cat breed has impressive tufts.

Personality
Cymric cats are intelligent, funny and are friendly with other pet animals. They are impressive learners and are very soft and non-fussy in nature. They are very obedient and loyal to their owners. Cymrics very quickly bond with their human companions. They love cuddling and lap swinging. Some of the Cymric cats' owners describe them as cute as teddy bears. Though they love company, they are usually not overly demanding of attention. They love water and love playing with it, however do not assume they love bathing. They are moderately active and playful.

Intelligent cats. Isn't that kind of redundant?

Obedient? What nonsense is this? Just who are they obeying? Other cats? Well, that would make sense. Loyal to owners. Nobody owns a cat.

Lap dance cats, huh? Now I really wish I had been given a chance to read that email.
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Just What Do Cats Need Anyway

All right. It's been a long time since I've posted. I'd say "I'm sorry," but I'm a cat. We don't do that. Others do it to us.

Anyway, was walking some of the cyber streets and found several places where humans wrote what they believe cats need. Humans are such fools. They've got the basics down, sure. But they don't know how to live. So, here is a short pictorial walk and talk on what cats really need. I call it, Ten Things Cats Really Need.

Something to stare at. (And then destroy.)

Plenty of Rest

Plenty of Fluids

Something to Play With

Human Companionship (or something close)

A place to lay down.

A place to explore.

A way to get down.

A place to hide.

A place to snuggle.

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Culture Lesson - Class #1016

It's time to return to real culture.

The information for this post has been taken from this site.

Javanese

(picture taken from this site)

History
The Javanese cat breed has originated from Siamese cats. This breed was developed by breeders who wanted to take the qualities of the Siamese and alter the coat and colors to their liking. One of the foundation cats of the Javanese breed was created by crossing a Balinese to a Colorpoint Shorthair. The outcome was a cat with all the characteristics of a Siamese but with a longer coat length and a color outside the basic four (i.e. seal, blue, chocolate, and lilac). These cats with colorful longhairs were recognized by the CFA in 1987.

Appearance
The Javanese are medium-sized and have fine bones and firm shoulders. They have a long, silky coat, which comes in a range of colors. These cats have coat style resembling to that of the Balinese. These are pointed cats though fall outside of the typically known point colors seen in Balinese cats. Javanese are also known as colorpoint cats, considering odd or rare colors, like red or white, and patterns, like tabby and tortie. Though the Javanese are almost identical to Siamese, the major difference lies in the color schemes and hair lengths. As compared to the Siamese, the Javanese have softer lines and less extreme body type because of the longer hair.

Personality
Like their Siamese relatives, these cats are very intelligent and talkative Javanese are curious, intelligent, excellent communicators and playful. They have a fascination for food and love high places. They are very talkative and have loud voice. Javanese are responsive and interactive in nature and thus, are easy to train. Javanese cats usually love to play, and are noticeably good at jumping. Like the Balinese, Javanese are also quite vocal and will "talk" for no particular reason.

Genetic Defects
Since Javanese are directly related to Siamese and Balinese cats, they might suffer from some of the similar genetic defects. Though these defects are bred out of the active lines and are becoming infrequent. They are very social cats and love to be around their owner. If they are left alone frequently, they can become depressed. The Javanese also have a tendency to become overweight if they do not receive enough exercise.

"Talk for no apparent reason". Sounds like humans.
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Culture Lesson - Class #1015

Culture time again. It's been awhile, but I've not forgotten to keep humans abreast of what's important: cats.



The information for this post has been taken from this site.

Cornish Rex




(picture taken from this site)

Cornish Rex is domestic cat breed. This breed of cat has no hair except for down i.e. like as most of the cats, Cornish Rex breed of cat do not have outer fur and awn hair but they have a simple and thin about 1 cm long undercoat. Despite having only a thin undercoat, they are found in variety of coat colors and patterns. White, black, chocolate, orange and dilutes of blue, lilac and cream are few colors in which you can find a Cornish Rex. They are also found in all kind of tabbies from classic to mackerel and ticked to tuxedo. They have been accepted as an original breed by all the cat associations except TCA.





History
The origin of this breed is traced back to Cornwall. These cats are said to be a natural breed was created as a result of a spontaneous natural mutation, which occurred in non-pedigree cats in Cornwall, England in 1950. Serena, a tortie and white short hair pet cat gave birth to five kittens in 1950, out of which four were entirely normal. The fifth kitten was however formed with curly coat and whiskers. This kitten named Kallibunker was the first ever seen Cornish Rex breed cat. He was then bred to his mother to produce two other kittens similar to him. Later one of the female kitten produced by this cross was brought to England and breeded with Siamese breed. All the Cornish Rex present today are the successors of Kallibunker.





Appearance
Cornish Rex is long and slender. The shape of its body is gently curved throughout its outline. Their size varies between small and medium. They are also very soft. They have very large ears and their coat comprises of very short hairs, very close to their body. Their head is egg shaped and their cheekbones are prominently high. Their face is distinguished by their hollow cheeks and high-bridged Roman nose and strong chin. Cornish Rexs have a small waist but very fine long legs. Despite their slender body types, they are extremely well-built and muscular. They also have long, slender and flexible tapering toward the end. An adult Cornish Rex weighs around 5-9 pounds.





Personality
Cornish Rex are said to be very affectionate, friendly, alert and people-oriented breed of cats. They are said to be one of the most attractive and interactive breeds amongst cats. They are very active, even at the age of 15 years; they behave as if they are 15 months old. They are also very curious, so in case you are planning to get along with a Rex, it is always suggested to make your home cat proof first. They are very lively and love to indulge in jumping and getting nosy with others.





A cat proof home. Is there such a thing?


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Culture Lesson - Class #1014

Once again it is time to expose ourselves to the important things of life: Cat Culture.

The information for this post has been taken from this site.

Colorpoint Shorthair

(picture taken from this site)

Colorpoint Shorthairs cats are the cousins of Siamese cats. They are identified by the sixteen different "point" colors on their body apart from the four Siamese colors- seal, blue, chocolate, and lilac points. Hybrid breed and half cousins to Siamese breeds, the Colorpoint Shorthairs cats are very much similar to their first cousins even in their body structure- small to medium in size with svelte body shape. In USA, these Colorpoint Shorthairs cats are treated as an entirely different while in UK they are treated just as a variety of Siamese breed.

History

The first Colorpoint Shorthairs were developed after breeding Siamese cats with other varieties in 1940. Since then, out-breeding with Siamese cats is common. The earliest breeding were focused on generating cats with red or cream colors at their face, ears, legs, and genital regions. However, later Abyssinian, and the red domestic breed were also used for breeding with the Siamese cats to give rise to more varieties of Colorpoint Shorthairs. The place of origin of these cats is Britain and North America. These crossbreeds' cats were acknowledged as a breed by the Cat Fanciers Association in 1964. The Colorpoint Shorthairs was also later in 1974 accepted for CFA championship. Today, CCA and TCA other than CFA regard the Colorpoint Shorthair as a separate breed than Siamese.

Appearance

Colorpoint Shorthairs cat are very similar to the Siamese cats in appearance except for the similarity in their traditional four. Very much like the Siamese breed, they also have long, tube-shaped bodies, wedge-shaped heads, beautiful vivid blue eyes and big ears. However, other than the traditional seal, blue, chocolate, and lilac color points they are available in red point, cream point, lynx point, and tortie point. Their size varies from small to medium and there coat is formed of very shorthair. The colorpoint shorthairs have a svelte body and angular legs but they are still very strong and muscular. They have a slender neck and long tapered tail. They generally weigh around 7-8 pounds.

Personality

Colorpoint Shorthairs cats are said to be very loving and naughty. They are also very active, outgoing and intelligent. Whenever they are awake, you will find them busy in some work or another. They love jumping around and behave very affectionately if kept in lap and cuddled. You may ever found them curled around your bed when you are in deep sleep. They return 200 percent of the loyalty and love they receive from their master. Colorpoint Shorthairs are also interactive and chatty. They make great companions for people who love funny adventures. Color points is very sensitive towards her owner, she often tries to entertain him/her through her vaudevillian stunts and gymnastic activities.

Loving and naughty? Now this sounds like an interesting cat. Interactive and chatty? Better all the time. Great companions for people who love funny adventures. That's code for: Keep all breakables locked away. This has got to be a cool cat.
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How's About These Colors

Okay. I think I've got the right combination of Blog colors now. Blend the post in with the regular background and set the sidebar to the lighter blue. I like the colors, and I can read the text at the edge again.

Some people like to put clothes on cats. Not sure why they do that, but I am mostly certain that the cats aren't especially keen on it. I have an idea of what would happen should I attempt anything like this with Firestar.

Shut up.

Not exactly keen on playing Santa Claws.

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Favorite Animated Cats

Okay. I changed the blog. Been experimenting with things on this blog and SOF-The People. I'll confess and say I'm not sure I'm entirely satisfied. I can change it back easy enough. I saved the original html. Let me know.

Meanwhile, I thought I would post about two of my favorite things: cats and cartoons.

Here are some of my favorite cat cartoon characters.

Of course I must start with Garfield. To be honest, Garfield is not one of my real favorite cartoon cats. Liked him in the comics, but that cartoon they did of him was horrible. The voice they chose was completely wrong. The one with Bill Murray was all right. I felt Bill Murray captured the true heart of a lazy, self-centered, cat.

The Cheshire Cat from Alice in Wonderland always intrigued me. The Disney version was a bit over the top. There was a movie made not too long ago with a host of stars in it. Whoopie Goldberg played the Cheshire Cat and did an all right job.

I've always liked the pink panther. Right from his first appearance in The Pink Panther movie, which I bought. They did a cartoon series of him in the 70s, I think. It was all right. What made it good was he didn't talk.

Sylvester is a classic. Not as funny as Bugs Bunny, but I love him. I HATE Tweety. Always root for Sylvester, even though I know he's going to lose. I should have included Catnip, from the Herman and Catnip series. But Catnip is a lot like Sylvester.

Now we're getting to my real favorites. Here's Felix the Cat. I like Felix, both the original and the one with the "Magic Bag of Tricks". I've only got one Felix cartoon, and it's an old one. But I like him. He's a cool cat. But then I tend to be partial to black cats.

And here's my favorite: Top Cat. This entire blog is kind of based on the idea of Top Cat and his band of Alley Cats. This was a great cartoon I used to watch in the 60s. I wonder if it's on cable, or dish, or whatever it is people have now. I got regular TV. Wouldn't mind owning the complete set of Top Cat and Felix the Cat.

Let me know about the blog. I can change it back.
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Some Cat Pictures

Spouse was rummaging through something yesterday, looking for what to toss and what to sell and what to keep. Found two old calendars I have been saving. One is from 2004 and one from 2005. Both are cat calendars.

The picture above is from the newer calendar. That's the picture from my birthday month. It's one of the few calendars I've ever got in which my birthday month got a good picture. Normally, I would get a picture of a hairless cat. Not to imply there is anything wrong with a hairless cat. It's just that my favorite cats tend to be long-hairs. Fluffy and soft.

But the truth is, I have learned that no matter what a cat looks like (or dog, or any other living creature), it doesn't take long before one discovers that it is lovable. I suspect that is part of why I originally tried to keep Firestar out of the house. Didn't particularly want an orange cat. I wanted a fluffy bluish grey. Of course, now I can't imagine not having an orange cat. Firestar and I have kind of become buddies. He gets up and stops by me every morning to get his back scratched. And many days he follows me around the house. When I leave a room and don't come back right off, he seeks me out, giving me a look of, "You could have let me know." So now I tell him where I'm going and whether I'm coming right back. I don't get the looks then, which makes me suspect he really does understand every word I'm saying.

Anyway, as much as I like my picture, I think Spouse did slightly better. I almost think of this cat as being elegant. I don't because there is something about the face which tells me this is a warrior cat. Possibly a male, but not necessarily. This cat is cool. I can tell.


Son's picture beats mine, too. On cuteness and comedy. It's tempting to believe this cat was put here by a human, and it may have been. But I wouldn't bet the house on it. Firestar has put himself in some very similar positions. Then he gives the, "What are you looking at", look.


Couldnt' think of anything to post, and I didn't feel like searching the net for something. So I did this.
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Culture Lesson - Class #1013

Bevie has been having a lot of fun at my expense lately, so I thought it was time we returned to some real culture. But don't worry. I fixed Bevie pretty good. Gave my back three times yesterday.


The information for this post has been taken from this site.


Chartreux


(picture taken from this site)


History
The Chartreux is a natural French breed of great antiquity. Legend has it that they were raised as a companion by the Carthusian monks. However, in all likelihood due to the woolly character of their fur, Chartreux were given the same name as that of the well-known Spanish wool of the early 18th century. Its documented History is as early as 16th century.


Appearance
The Chartreux is characterized by large, sturdy, and muscular physique. It is known for its beautiful grey-blue colour, woolly double coat, quiet voice, and smiling expression. The woolly double coat is very soft and lush. The Chartreux has large eyes that are copper to gold with deep, brilliant orange as the preferred eye colour.


Personality
Chartreux are calm attentive, gentle, and adaptable cats. They enjoy the company of people. They have a mild temperament. Chatreux are highly intelligent and are quick learners. They are extremely agile as per their size and are natural hunters.


Natural hunters, eh? That certainly makes up for their enjoying human company instead of merely tolerating it. (Or taking advantage of it, right Rufus?) Heh, I could be a Chartreux.

Oh, by the way, this picture is of a "British Blue" cat. In honor of our new Kitten of the Month.

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More Tidbits

From this website about cats.

In the 9th century, King Henry I of Saxony decreed that the fine for killing a cat should be sixty bushels of corn.

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As anyone who has ever been around a cat for any length of time well knows, cats have enormous patience with the limitations of the human mind. -- Cleveland Amory

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As every cat owner knows, nobody owns a cat. -- Ellen Perry Berkeley

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Dogs come when they're called; cats take a message and get back to you later. -- Mary Bly

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Of all God's creatures there is only one that cannot be made the slave of the lash. That one is the cat. If man could be crossed with a cat it would improve man, but it would deteriorate the cat. -- Mark Twain

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If I called her she would pretend not to hear, but would come a few moments later when it could appear that she had thought of doing so first. -- Arthur Weigall

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Some humans are actually quite wise. Amazing, isn't it?

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Cat Tidbits

Found another website about cats. This one has a wealth of interesting bits of information.

Some examples:

Ancient mariners believed that a cat's behavior could foretell a change in the weather. Some sailors considered black cats unlucky since they were thought to bring bad weather. Tortoiseshell cats were often held by seafarers to be lucky and Japanese sailors in particular would carry a tri-colored cat aboard. They believed that such a cat could give early enough warning of an approaching storm for the vessel to return to port to avoid it, and would also send the cat up the mast to "put the storm devils to flight".




In the 1930's. The white male cat, named Napoleon, lived with his owner in Baltimore. His observant owner, Mrs. de Shields, noted that every time before it rained Napoleon would lie on the floor with his front paws extended and tuck his head between them. During Napoleon's lifetime there was a drought. The drought had continued for over a month when his owner noticed the clever cat adopt his "rain on the way" pose. According the official forecast the weather was to continue dry. Unconvinced, Mrs. De Shields telephoned a newspaper and told them that it was going to rain -- her cat had prophesied it. It did indeed rain, and thereafter Napoleon's forecasts were published in the paper. When he died, the tombstone over his grave was inscribed "Napoleon the Weather Prophet 1917 - 1936". It was said that in all the six years that he made his predictions he never got it wrong -- which is more than be said for human meteorologists!



They say the test of literary power is whether a man can write an inscription. I say, "Can he name a kitten?" -- Samuel Butler

More forthcoming, I'm sure.








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In Memoriam - Beloved Cats of the Past

I've been feeling guilty and bad about not having included Baby Boy in this. He is no less distinguishable than any, but at the same time I did not want to have memorandum posts every day. Then there was always something else to post, or I wasn't ready to put up something more sobering. But I think this is a nice place to put Baby Boy's memorandum.

Baby Boy was another of my choices. Like B.J.Honeycat, who came before, Baby Boy was in mortal danger. But not from starvation or other, more aggressive cats. Baby Boy was in danger because he would never, ever SHUT UP! And that was driving my boss crazy. (Actually, my boss was a bit of a pussy cat himself and would never have harmed Baby Boy. He just liked to talk big.)

This would have been back in the summer of '87, when I worked for a small town newspaper as reporter, photographer, editor, proofreader, layout editor, paper stuffer, and paper delivery person. All for $10,400 a year. Before taxes. For that I worked seventy to eighty hours each week. It worked out to a little more than $3.00 per hour when minimum wage was about $5.00 per hour. Ah, well. I digress.

Baby was just a kitten. His name was Socks then, because of his white feet. Larry, my boss, came into work one day haggered and sleepy. He had been up most of the night trying to catch Socks and put him outside. But while the kitten was big on crying for attention, he refused to allow himself to be caught, and he was small enough to get into places Larry couldn't go. Larry asked if anyone wanted a cat because he was ready to threat, threat, threat, threat, threat. Wanda, the office manager, dared him to do it and Larry sheepishly conceded he wouldn't. But he did want to find a home for Socks. I thought BJ might be lonely, with me now putting in so much time at the newspaper, and Spouse working three jobs to earn another $10,000 a year. So I volunteered.

I remember at first being worried about our new addition. BJ seemed to just hate him. But then I caught the two of them together when BJ thought no one was around. They were playing together and having a ball! Until BJ saw me. Then he belted Baby Boy (he got the name because he NEVER shut up) across the room.

Baby was the active cat. He was the one who jumped into the upstairs window, knocking out the support and having the window collapse on his back leg. Wound up in a four-week cast for that.

He was the one who figured out that when the new human baby arrived, he could get all kinds of loving attention by just being around. Eventually, this would cause him to bond with Son, and the two became good buddies.

Baby was a camera hog, too. Take out a camera and start filming or snapping pictures, and within a couple of minutes Baby Boy would be there, standing next to whatever you were trying to film.

In his last years he was the lone animal. Nikki was gone. BJ was gone. Even Lady was gone. It was just him in the house, until I lost my job. Then I would sit downstairs at my desk in the wee hours of the morning. Baby Boy would come down the steps, stop at the bottom, wait until I looked at him, and then cry out to me. I would lower my hand and snap my fingers and he would hurry over to get his back scratched. We did that every day. Several times.

I can still remember hearing the thumping above my head. The computer was set up in the basement then. Twice before in his life, Baby Boy had managed to get himself caught in a cloth through his mischiveous playing. His flopping would make the noose he had got himself into tighter and tigher. Once was with a torn chair cover, and once was with one of my t-shirts. Hearing the thumping, I suspected he had repeated his youthful behavior in his old age and had got caught again.

He was in the dining room, but not caught in anything. He had had a stroke. A bad one. Just the year before we had spent nearly $1,000 we didn't have to save his life. The vet told us he might not last another year, but we spent the money anyway. This time I could see he was much worse off. I immediately got on the telephone and called the vet. Then I raced Baby to the only place where he could be helped. But this time it there would be no miracle. Spouse left work and I took Son out of school. The vet clinic tended Baby while we raced to get there for his final time. It was - emotional.

Sometimes, after suffering such grief, we tell ourselves we will never fall in love again. We will never get another cat, or dog, or horse, or turtle, or spider, or whatever. We're so silly. Not only do we fall in love with these creatures who are so different (and somehow alike) to us, but we do it over and over and over again. When Spouse brought Firestar home I refused to even look at him. Spouse began to cry. Then, I turned my head and found myself nose-to-nose with this buff little kitten. Once again I was hooked. We can't close our eyes forever.

Current loves do not replace past loves. They just fill the void left from those who have gone on. And it almost seems like current loves mean more than the past. After all, they're here, aren't they? Let us enjoy them while we can.

NOTE: The picture at the top is one of my favorite Baby Boy pictures. There are other good ones, showing him in his profile, but I thought it appropriate to show him with his buddy. Amazingly, Son NEVER pulled his hair, so Baby Boy was quite safe under his hands.

Taking Proper Care of Our Property

So I thought I would help Bevie out. You see, Bevie not only has big feet and a big mouth, but Bevie gets into big trouble. So I'm doing the post for the day.

I found a neat on-line cat coloring site. It links to another site with even more pictures to color.

Unfortunately, the only versions which can be downloaded are the blank templates. I didn't see how to download a picture once it had been colored. But very relaxing.

Something I think Bevie needs right now. What a pity I'm about to bite the hand that feeds me.

Hey! What can I say? It's play time!
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In Memoriam - Beloved Cats of the Past

A few days ago I posted an In Memoriam. One of the comments came from Lisa, who had lost her own precious kitty, and I offered to include him here. Lisa graciously consented.



This is from her post on her own blog. If you haven't visited it, you may wish to as she also has a short video clip at the end which I was not able to embed here.



Darlin' Leibchen (Leiby kitty)


Leibchen, Originally named Darlin' Leibchen then I realized they really meant the same so he mostly went by Leibchen - or Leiby kitty.


He was nicknamed purr baby because he would start purring as soon as my husband or I would touch him.Leiby was really cute with hubby. Hubby would lay long wise on the couch on his side, and Leiby would come, meow, for Hubby to make room for him and would lay down beside him.


Leibchen died while I was away, the day I left for my trip he didn't eat his meal - and he declined quickly afterwards. I was heart broken feeling that I should have been with him. I tried to convince myself he was a cat so I should, at the very least, go out and enjoy the sites, but to no avail, I was too upset, and ended up staying in the hotel milking my sorrow between exersize and wine.


I wrote the following poem to express my sorrow and loss. And I learned, if ever my kitties are ill, and I'm traveling - STAY HOME.


He died August 8, 2005 - I was in Brussels, Belgium


One Last Time
by Lisa Izzie
Copyright 2007. Written: August 15, 2005


I only want to hold him,
One last time,
On his final breath,
That moment should be mine.


I want to hold his paw,
And stroke his little head,
Oh my darling Leiby kitty,
How dare you now be dead.


Thousands miles away I was,
In your final days.
I wasn't there to hold you,
Why die when I'm away?


I could not rush to your side,
I could I only call,
Now my Darlin' Leibchen
I can hold you - not at all.


Although I knew your time was near,
Why die while I am gone?
It wasn't me by your side,
Is what I find so wrong.


Small comfort that I called in time,
The last voice you heard was mine.
I only want to hold you,
One last time.


In my hearts an emptiness
of guilt and deep sorrow,
That on the day of my voyage,
Began the end of your tomorrow.


How I wish I'd stayed behind,
to be beside my friend,
so that I could hold you,
One last time.


So that it was me,
me by your side,
the last touch you felt,
and the last kiss was mine.


I only want to hold you, Leiby one last time.

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In Memoriam - Beloved Cats of the Past

I wanted to wait an appropriate amount of time before entering B.J. Honeycat into the Memorial, which is the list of beloved cats who are no longer with us.

B. J. Honeycat

BJ was a cool cat. I wanted him to be mine, but he really became Spouse's. Unless he was feeling poorly. Then he came to me.

His life began poorly. First he was with a family of four, but the little boy turned out to be allergic to cat dandruff, so he went to my brother and sister-in-law. They had a hobby farm. In fact, that was where Spouse and I boarded our horses. It wasn't working out well. The other cats picked on BJ, and as a result BJ was in a constant state of terror.

I can still remember the day I walked into their kitchen from outside. Spouse's brother was preparing himself some kind of snack. He opened a cupboard door (it was an old house and the cupboards were up high). There, hiding on a shelf, was BJ. The brother cried out in anger, grabbed BJ by his scruff, and threw him down to the floor. BJ splayed out flat and then raced back up into the cupboard. Brother repeated his act and BJ repeated his. Up to this point I was too shocked to move. But when BJ hit the floor the third time I quickly bent down and grabbed him. I carried him to a closet which ran under the stairwell and set him down in the dark. Then I left and drove home right off.

Spouse was there. I explained what had just taken place. We went to our landlord (we were renting half a house) and he agreed we could have a cat - providing we gave him extra security deposit. We wrote a check out right then. Then we both returned to the hobby farm where we suggested we could take BJ. It was agreed, and we took him and came home.

I remember I was holding him as we entered our place. BJ was shivering. Moved again. We weren't in the house more than a minute and BJ began to purr. I knew why. There was no scent of other cats. The apartment was small. Just a living room with a tiny, tiny kitchen attached, and a door to a bedroom with a tiny bathroom attached. The in-laws sent us home with a litter box and some food and we showed BJ where those would be. Then I let him wander. He wouldn't stop purring.

He went from a thing of skin and bones to a hearty animal. In fact, he actually got a bit big. He topped out at sixteen pounds. I know cats get heavier, but that was plenty heavy for him.

When we got Baby Boy he pretended to hate him. But when he thought we weren't looking he would actually play with the kitten. Then he'd see us and whop the little cat and stalk away. Eventually they became good buddies.

BJ always remained shy. Should company stop by he would hide. Even when Son was born BJ didn't come around much. He became annoyed that we didn't give him the attention we once had. Baby Boy had figured out how to get around that. He learned that wherever the baby was, if he was nearby, he would get affection. BJ never figured that out.

The day came when we noticed the litter box was always wet. Always. We brought both cats to the vet. BJ was the cause. He had diabetes. We weren't exactly poor then, but money was tight. And to treat BJ was going to cost a lot of money. More than we could afford every month. So the decision was made to put him down. He was Spouse's cat, but he sat with me that day. He always sat with me when he wasn't feeling well. I cried and told him what we had decided to do. He looked at me and rubbed his face against mine. Then he purred. That was my last moment with B.J. Honeycat.

NOTE: You know, I wrote that BJ never figured out about the baby. And yet look at the first picture. That is Son laying beside BJ. But I think BJ didn't know we were watching. BJ didn't want to let on that he liked anything.

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In Memoriam - Beloved Cats of the Past

Almost from the beginning of Cat in the Buff I was thinking there should be a section to acknowledge cats who are no longer with us. My reasons were selfish, of course. I wanted to acknowledge B.J. Honeycat and Baby Boy, two of my favorite cats. I didn't do it because it's kind of a downer, and I wasn't sure how visitors would respond.

Then, Talpianna sent me an email with a picture of Lilith, which included a poem she wrote. I expect more than some of us have had cat friends who are gone now. If you are like Talpianna (and me), you don't want those felines to be forgotten.

My intention was to make B.J. Honeycat the first. But I don't think it is any slam on his memory if I instead make Lilith the first cat to be honored. BJ was always a gentleman. I'm sure he would have no problem in letting a lady go first.

Lilith

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Lilith’s Song

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She walks in Her garden at break of day;

Small paws follow and will not stay—

“Lady Bastet, my Goddess and Queen,

Let me go back where I have been!

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“A voice is speaking a broken prayer;

A heart is breaking, for I’m not there;

Someone who loves me is all alone;

Lady Bastet, I want to go home!”

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She basks, slit-eyed, in the morning sun,

But a kitten’s plea is not yet done:

“Lady Bastet, please let me go;

She’s crying still—she loves me so!

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“Your gardens are rich in beauty and grace,

With cream to lap and mice to chase,

But still I long for the love I lack;

Lady Bastet, let me go back!”

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She rests in the shade at the height of noon;

A small voice whispers, “I must go soon!

feel her sorrow and grief like a knife—

Let me be with her in my next life!

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“Goddess, our time was not so long

As a bird in Your garden’s morning song,

But time enough for love to grow—

Goddess, dear Goddess, please let me go!”

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The stars in Her garden are candles lit.

She gently caresses the grieving kit.

“Brighter than stars doth a true heart burn:

Lilith, I grant you your wish—Return!”

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The stars look down in their vast array

As a small cat trots through the Milky Way,

Her pale fur gleams with reflected light

As she picks her way through the cosmic night.

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Down to a planet of green and blue—

The only home that she ever knew—

To leap into arms that have ached for her,

To cuddle, be hugged and kissed, and purr.

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8/21/03

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I do not know what God's plan is for animals in eternity. I'm not sure he's ever told us. But sometimes I wonder about those we call pets. When I used to sometimes look in BJ or Baby Boy's eyes I would find myself wondering: Are you an angel in feline form placed in my care in order for me to prove my worth? If so, then they will be with us in heaven.

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I don't know. I only know that it is very easy to fall in love with a cat.

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Just Cats

Here are some more cat pictures/cartoons. Courtesy of this site.

Alley Cat Pictures

Bevie sent out a general request for pictures a few days ago and Lisa supplied some of her pride.


Amelia (striped kitty), Scarlett and Bruiser, (although one of the black ones could be Tara, it's hard to tell them apart unless they all have their eyes open and are facing the camera.)

In a row (same cats) but Bruiser is sticking his tongue out - sooo cute!

Apparently Bessie is camera shy. However, Lisa has posted a picture of her on her blog. (I can't get the d*mn auto link to work, so you're stuck with a copy/paste. Sorry.) Beautiful eyes.

Lisa's blog: http://lisanevin.blogspot.com/

What Do Cats Do When It's -30c/-20f

He crawled in here all on his own. I promise. We looked for him for over an hour before Spouse thought to pull back the blankets.

Ever Wonder How Cats Can See So Well in the Dark

Night Vision.

Don't look out the window without it.