So, About The Cat

I have always been a cat guy more or less since I was a kid.  My early memories were of a cat named Rufus.  I remember my old friend with all gray fur, green eyes and was generally a noodle in a fur coat.  I could pet him, talk to him, hold him, rub his tummy it didn’t matter he was always friendly and if I had a rough day at school I could always count on him being there.  He never clawed or bit me but he did have the occasional habit of clawing up the door casings.

We had other cats growing up after Rufus and my parents even got a dog they named Margaret Thatcher (Maggie) for short - a West Highlands White Terrier who lived up to her name in my never to be humble opinion. Each pet had its unique traits and were all good pets so fast forward to now and as I write this morning 38 years after my first memories of my old friend, there is a cat sitting next to me now.

My friend now is the one you have already met on some other pages of this website named Callie.  I still remember the first time met Callie she was in a sheep barn 20 miles from this old farm house.  She was at the stage of bigger than a kitten but not quite full grown either.  The farm where I got her had probably around a dozen or so other cats, all nice cats too but I kind of knew what I was looking for and seeing her I could tell she was different. 

When the lady on the farm put out cat food all the other cats ran out and started to eat – all that was except Callie who still wanted to be petted.  Every stroke she would get up on her hind legs and purr like a little motor boat.  I talked to her and she flipped on her back and wanted a belly rub – which I gladly gave and she gave a big stretch and purred more.  I decided this was the cat for me.  I wanted a cat that was even tempered, friendly, good with people and though I didn’t have any kids at the time when I did would be safe around them too.  Callie checked all the boxes.

I told the lady at the farm that I would like her.  She was hesitant because her grandkids really liked her too.  We talked a little bit and I told her that I certainly understand and to let me know when there would be another litter of kittens.  I started to leave and I still remember the question, “You really like her don’t you?”  Of course!  She told me to get the cat carrier and she would clean the cat up.

I got my friend home and even after the bath for about two weeks the smell of sheep urine emanated from my friend.  But that wasn’t the only thing, I took her to the vet a day or two later for a checkup but she was also having some other problems.  She had an infection in both eyes, a respiratory infection, and a bad case of worms.  Four trips to the vet, three rounds of eye drops, two rounds of antibiotics and four rounds of dewormer later my friend was doing much better.

So is she indoors or outdoors?  The answer to that question is indoors only.  In the 11 years she has been part of the family she has never tried to run out the door.  I have left the door open when bringing groceries in and she will stand by the door, stick her nose out but never even try to set foot outside.  As the family as grown she has still been the good friend she always has been.  She is always my talker when I make my morning coffee and my lap warmer during the day.  At night I can always rely on a head butt when I first lay down and warm feet when I first wake up.  She’s a little fatter as she has gotten older but so am I. She is just a good mouser as she always has been when the occasional mouse makes it indoors.

Would I recommend a pet cat?  Yes for some people.  The beauty of a cat is if you need to go somewhere for a couple of days a cat will be fine and pretty self-sufficient so long as they have food, water and a clean litter box.   If you tend to be a low key personality, a little introverted and just a general country boy (or girl) who isn’t always in a rush with everything then absolutely.  More than anything pay attention to the cat’s personality more so than appearance and think ahead if you will be starting a family.  My cat has been great with my wife and young son but they aren’t all.  Old farm house?  Get a cat.

Lastly if you have a cat, get them fixed.  It will cut down on kittens, noise, peeing (particularly with boy/Tom cats) and other unwanted behavior too.  The peeing thing in particular is a concern of mine with males.  I have had male cats in the past and never had one pee all over the house but I want to avoid the risk anyway. 

 I’m a cat guy.

 Peace Always.

 Lester