Ten Cats by Graham Harrop for August 02, 2015

reason #149 why the cat is in the basement

…and then this bird, flying, no maybe walking, no maybe he is just looking,……

Next instalment of my collection of furry-purrers, I offer Robson, and Thomas

Robson was an ex farm cat that originally lived next door, but decided to move in a couple of months after Poppy did.One morning I found Robson sitting on my kitchen table looking at me. I told him to go home and put him outside, by the time I’d turned back to the kitchen he was already through the cat-flap and sitting back on the table. We went through this procedure three times. I realised at that point that he was intending to stay, so I told him I’d tell his former human this, and gave him a bowl of food.

He was quite a cat, my Alpha Male, and ruler of the area. He was quite a fighter and as hardy as they come, the only vet visits he had (apart from annual vaccinations) was when his right eye got infected and had green gunk coming out of it.

He was healthy right up to the point he got a blood clot in his spine. I miss his character, but he honours me by being my Avatar on the web. He was about 16.

Thomas came to me after being in a kennel for a while as his previous human was emigrating. He was big, the biggest domestic cat I’d seen. He ended up weighing in at over 9kg (20lbs), but he wasn’t fat, just big. He could look in the bathroom sink with his back feet on the floor to see if there was any water in it. When he would drink the water from the sink he would stand with his front feet in the water, he used to leave wet paw prints on the floor.He was a gentle soul, and just adored the Persians when I took them in. Unfortunately cancer got him in the end, he was fifteen and a half. I always called him ‘Thomas’, ‘Tom’ just didn’t seem to fit.

These two boys were friends.

These two boys brought the number of furry-purrers resident in my home (at the same time) to fifteen. I’d lost Ruff to kidney failure the week before otherwise they would have made it sixteen.

The Bengal brothers Benjii and Carlsberg

I took them in as they needed a new home, it was an experience.

Bengals are lovely cats, friendly, intelligent, and far too clever for their own good. When they got bored, they would find things to do to amuse themselves. They would empty the bin in the kitchen, or empty the kitchen cupboards. They even managed to open the fridge……..

Benjii was a brown spotted Bengal, very thick fur, but unfortunately he had a mental problem. The closest thing I can think of is he was a schizophrenic, most of the time he was absolutely fine, but now and then he would just attack for no reason. I was in the process of finding treatment/help for him when he became ill. A month (and £1k) later, his kidneys gave in and he had to pass on.

Carlsberg was a Snow Leopard Bengal, a lovely friendly cat who didn’t suffer from the same mental problem that his brother Benjii did, though he did have a tendency to go up onto the roof of my bungalow and get stuck up there necessitating a ‘Treats and Grab’ method of recovery…..After his brother passed on, he struggled to integrate with the rest of the males, the pair had been inseparable, and he was becoming depressed. I found him a new home where he was the only cat and he settled in perfectly. His new Human spoiled him rotten, and he loved every minute of it :-)

The two brothers together, Carlsberg must have been aware of Benjii’s problems as they would quite often sleep in a position similar to this.

I do think Oliver needs to work on his story telling :-)

Oliver is waiting for Annie to do this…..

Or this……

Sweet sweet Oliver, our very detailed storyteller. I want to hug him!

Oliver takes a cute picture

And then-I forgot what I was talking about

MCTS: Thank you for sharing and caring.

More Cats Than Sense, what beautiful cats! Thank you so much for sharing their stories!

I’m surprised at you Oliver! That was so devious! Of course, we know Chesney put you up to it!

“I’m a little bit confused.” ƹʅɗʘIs Pudsey a boy’s name, girl’s name, uni ? ?

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Well, my Pudsey was definitely a female, there is a character named ‘Pudsey Bear’ that’s part of the Children In Need charity, and presumably that is male.

The UK & US do seem to be separated by a common language, I’ve never met a male Carol or Sally in the UK, but I’m aware that they can be male names in the US. I didn’t name Pudsey, but the name did suit her and she would answer to it :-)

I live in a village in Suffolk UK, I’ll see what I can sort out with photographs.

Here’s a couple of pictures from just outside my front path taken in December 2005 in the snow. Basically the same as it is now :-)

Not quite as much snow today though :-) But at least it isn’t raining, it being the middle of summer and all ;-)

Looks like Chesney is having an existential crisis!

Love the pics and stories! I’m on here all the time, just rarely post.

Such lucky kitties to be cared for in their final years like that, their time with you was so short but they were given so much love.I wonder about Watty Jr. Jr. everyday, he was becoming such a sweet boy after being so feral. I can’t bring myself to take in his beloved cat bed. He truly appreciated having something so cushy and soft to sleep in.

MoreCatsBless you for giving those beautiful kitties love and a warm place to sleep. There is nothing so peaceful as seeing a cat asleep in the sun!

How was the “family reunion”?

Thanks for the comments guys & gals, glad you’re enjoying my Absent Friends and their stories. Doing this has brought back all the memories and emotions, but it’s all good, they need to be remembered.

Here’s a picture of Heyme after the matts were shaved off, most of her undercoat was removed, at her rear and under her tummy, but they left the long top coat so she didn’t look too silly…… We did try not to laugh too much :-)

This is a little girl

One of the boys

I think this one is a girl

Last night when I held them, they all just shook with fear. I wrapped them up like little purritos and held each until the shaking stopped. I did the same early this morning before we left for shopping. When we got home, I went in and none of them ran to hide when I opened the door OR when I approached them. (they were curled up in the bed)

I brought the playpen in here for t hem. Moose has been here to see them and they actually mewed at him and showed interest in him. Later, I’ll put him in the playpen for a few minutes. Right now they are all just lying there, watching me.

Yes, this estate was built in the late 1960’s :-)

A blissful Sunday to everyone.-—-WOW! A plethora of beautiful cats today! Thanks to all who posted pix.-—-Have an abundant day my friends.

Thank you for these delightful epistles. What a wonderful person you are to take in these poorly moggies, take care of them, love them and, when the end approached, realise that you had to let them go. An act of love & courage.

John Wayne’s first name was Marion!

My long haired tuxedo, Christopher, has shed and shed this summer….resulting in a few mats here and there even with lots of brushing which he generally asks for…but not if I have the dreaded metal ‘comb’ in the other hand. He does NOT like me to even touch the mats before I attempt removal…and I have to be QUICK because he has deadly claws and is FAST. I’ve been ‘nicked’ more than once. I attempt to remove 1 mat per day (if I’m lucky). K-9 Caterers used to sell a spray which, when sprayed on the mat, allowed it to be combed right out. Can’t find it anywhere and don’t have the name. Any advice?

@QoAJust read last night’s good news…the 2 (Siamese mix) kittens got new homes! And looks like you’ve already calmed down the 3 new black babies. Moose is bound to make a good impression too once he joins them in the playpen. I owe you an e-mail reply. Just got home. And now we have car issues. Just made it…don’t ask.How is Lightning? Couldn’t stop thinking about that poor scared cat. Am hoping his story will be like the ‘2 old girls’ and he will find his loving forever home ASAP.

@More Cats Than SenseThank you for the wonderful photos, and stories…Your ‘Robson’, is a twin to my ‘Oliver’ from 40 years ago! He wouldn’t fight other cats….No competition! He would have fun with the neighborhood dogs, and tear them up! Lived to be 16..Died peacefully in his sleep…..Still miss him after all these years.

Goodnight all you WONDERFUL folks, and GRAHAM, for bringing this all together WITH YOUR DELIGHTFUL strip!

I installed Windows 10 a couple of days ago, but there was a fault on it. The next day, I couldn’t see Go Comics, so I am just catching up. I hope that everybody is well. Oliver is adorable even if he isn’t a good story teller.

Lovely cats. From your comments, they had great personalities. So sorry for your loss.