A CALICO CAT?
There has been a lot of cat v. dog talk lately on the blogs I follow. Personally, I prefer people to both, despite their foibles and, sometimes, very nasty habits. This doesn't mean I haven't had several very close pet relationships. The longest was with Daisy, a tortoiseshell moggie who shared my life for 18 years. We could read each other's minds.
DAISY
Here is her photo - see how she appears to be cleverly camouflaged against the blackened stone terrace houses of what Mr N and I now call Lessimportantshire (since Lady Thatcher's official biographer recently referred to her only being reviled in the "less important" parts of the country. The North, we presume.)
Daisy was a darling, but I've always fancied a Calico Cat. (I know it's shallow of me but the name is so folk arty. It goes with my style.) Two new cats have arrived in my neighbourhood and they both have the Calico look with patchwork blobs of different colours. My good friend J was sure that it was the long-haired puss who met the requirements...
...I thought this short-haired miss fitted the bill.
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It turns out they both qualify - and I do know how easy it is to "adopt" a cat. You just feed her and she's yours for life - she knows only cupboard love. But I will resist, not just because I don't want to fall out with my neighbours, but also because I'm sure Mr N is more of a dog man. Some chaps find cats quite off-putting.
I will be content for now with this one, who sits by the landing window...
...and is actually made of calico.
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As we have discovered it is possible to own a cat vicariously - we used to have one visit us regularly falling asleep on H whilst purring - he really thought the cat loved him, but the cat was doing the same thing all over the neighbourhood.
ReplyDeleteThere is a new book just out about the subject called Lost Cat - a true story - by Caroline Paul. Her cat disappeared and she mourned his loss - 6 weeks later he nonchalantly waltzed back into their lives as if nothing had changed. She then started tracking him with GPS and this is the story of what Tibia got up to.
Lost Cat? Ha! Ha! They say EVERY cat has several "owners".
DeleteI too could fancy a calico cat for exactly the same reasons you mention - but in all honesty, I prefer the last one you show to the others, no matter how beautiful they are. Plus I'm allergic to cats. Plus I have a dog. Love the 'Lessimportantshire' - I'm from there too. Axxx
ReplyDeleteWe're still fuming over the "less important" remark, but I won't get started about THAT!
DeleteI always had cats....and then when we had 3 of them, Jess became very allergic. I didn't get rid of them, just waited for 2 of them to die and finally gave the last one away. Jess had to take pills when she was at home...what an awful mother I was. There is something wonderful about cats, but now, I enjoy the vacarious ownership model, especially when we are in France. There are some spectaularly gorgeous beasts that roam across our land. Jx PS Daisy looks wonderful.
ReplyDeleteMy best friend finds her asthma has improved greatly since her last cat died, but she insists you're more allergic to other people's cats than your own. It's dogs that make me sneeze - the longer the coat the worse it is!
Deletea Calico Cat does sound lovely, even before you've seen the real item! our tortie doesn't qualify as she only has a white tail tip but I have always hankered after a calico beauty, but our cats always seem to find us rather than the other way around!
ReplyDeleteOur new "neighbours" seem determined to sneak into our house too - a bit dangerous with breakable bits and pieces all over the place!
DeleteOur real-life Calico cats are a little limp, and don't call since we got our magical device. A sound investment and being quick on the uptake, strangely now, we are given a wide berth. All is peaceful on the potager and bird front.
ReplyDeleteLLX
I think it's a brilliant idea - effective, but not cruel.
Delete~ Of course I had to comment, Nilly! ~ I haven't heard of the name calico for a kttie before..~ but I can see their beauty! LOVE the picture of Daisy, isn't she lovely.....~ as I type this comment, I have four on the bed with me.....As said by Ted and bunny, they do seem to seek me out...~ I just couldn't imagine a world with out our feline friends....Leaving you with a smile :) Maria x
ReplyDeleteI think I'll just borrow my cats for now - and let their "owners" pay the vet's bills...
DeleteOh Nilly I do love cats, all shapes all colours. That black and white pic of the little boy is such a hoot, it made me laugh out loud.
ReplyDeletejean x
I must admit I was happier having a town cat - when we moved to the country our new young cat loved to go hunting! This was a problem that didn't occur with Daisy.
DeleteGlad you liked the magazine article, funnily enough my own calico cat was too camera shy that day..but as you can Boris didn't have the same problem!
ReplyDeleteFor a few seconds I was mystified - it looked like MY kitchen in Homes & Antiques!
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