Wednesday, April 1, 2015

I Have Four Cats

I have four cats. The most recent time I had such a low number was last year, briefly, in the latter part of May. That was after Cammie left to go (also briefly, thank goodness) to Regina, but before Kola came to stay with me. Kola made five and Cammie’s return brought the number up to six. That was the norm here for the next ten months.

Prior to that period, I can’t remember the last time I had just four cats. I literally can’t recall. Before Kola, there was Bear-Bear, and Rachael, and Luther… Their times with me didn’t overlap in each case, but for as long as I can recollect, I have had at least one foster-cat in addition to my four perma-cats. And now I have just three of those.

Josie - Josefina von Chubs - is now my senior feline, in terms both of age and her time with me. She came to me on Christmas Eve of 2008, when she was five years old. Good Heavens, that will make her twelve when her birthday rolls around in summer. She is good natured, though she has shown that she can be testy with foster-cats, and when she finds someone in the nylon tunnel. She has become a demonstrably happy cat over the years, always ready to be petted.


Renn - Renfrew Foster - is seven years old, and came as a foster-cat in May, 2010. He used to be afraid of everything. His great enemies were the roofers who spent the summer after his arrival on a neighbouring building, banging and pounding. Now, he fears much less, and, after an initial period of anxiety, has little problem greeting new people and enjoying their attentions.


Tucker - Tucker R. Poly - came to visit as a foster-cat in October, 2010. He was five at the time, and so is ten now, but he still reminds me of a big furry baby. Or a sausage. Or a wombat. He has always been very timid. The slightest movement may send him scurrying away, startled. But he is also the happiest cat I have known. Tucker will purr if you merely look at him, and whispering his name will cause his pudgy little feet to flex in joy. He also squeals and squeaks and talks and whoops. He has been my most expensive cat, due to his health issues. Those appear to be behind him, with luck, but I don’t regret a penny I’ve spent on him.


And there is my foster-cat, Cammie - Princess Cammerouska Albigensia of Siam (I think she may be a fraud, as those names don’t appear very Siamese to me). Eight years old when she arrived at my house in July, 2013, she is now ten. She was very distrustful and it was months before she purred, but she has come a long way since then. I can now pick her up and hold her. I don’t believe she likes it much, but she allows it, and that is a great improvement. She left for a few weeks in the middle of 2014. We thought it was a permanent adoption though, as it turned out, we were fortunate that it was not. Cammie was not in a good environment there, and she came back to live with me.


These are the four who live with me now. The house seems quiet - despite the occasional singing from the boys - and empty. I still have a quartet of animals, two of them rather large for their species, but something is missing. An individual creature can fill a space with its personality, and two such cats left me in as many days last week. There is no top-cat now, and no one to lock away at nights to keep him safe from another. We are a reduced band, and we miss those who have gone before. But we are content, and glad to be safe and fed, sheltered and befriended. Life is not what it was, but it is good.

19 comments:

  1. Four seems like plenty to me. I learned pretty quickly when Annie was still alive that I could manage only 2 cats at a time. Two hands, two cats. It would be lovely if Cammie could find HER forever home now--and it certainly would open the door to more fosters, when you are ready to do that.

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  2. it is all about adjusting to the moment.....and while we hate to play favorites, mom says she has a desire to kiss Tucker :)

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  3. But your heart is still full, too! That is the best part. For all!

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    1. Yes, the cats who remain are doing their best.

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  4. I so understand. When Abby left me there were still 4 cats waiting but it was no longer the same, like you no top cat to keep everyone on their paws and in tight order. I suspect the 4 relaxed a bit. We still have no top cat as Annabelle is such a little timid cat. I so miss the way it was but it cannot be like that again and I've learned to accept it for what it is now. Although the absence of it that is hard.

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  5. It was nice to have a review of the cats that live there now. I bet it does seem lonely losing two at the same time. Bet there is another cat out there that needs to come keep you company when you are ready. Nice post.

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  6. We, too, have a recent loss so we can relate to the empty space one ... or two ... leave behind.

    To answer the question you left on our blog, the Merrick Kitchen Bites are only for dogs. They sure tempted the cats for a moment when the bag was opened, though. :)

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  7. It will take time John for you ...and the cats... to adjust; I enjoyed reading each of their stories since we are new to your blog; and now a brief word from the tabbies;

    veree nice ta meet everee one; pleez feel free ta stop by trout towne anytime; we haz foodz on de grill 24/8/367...just due knot ask for burd... ♥♥ everee one ther... haz de kewlest names !! we loves em !! thanx for sharin yur storeez and yur fotoz ~~

    heerz two a wild whitefish wednesday =^..^=

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  8. They are all special. But, I do know how some just take a bigger piece of your heart, too. I do believe that those who have crossed The Bridge wait for us.
    Thanks for your kind comment on my poem, "Christened". Yes, God hears. He isn't on the ship of fools. I believe.

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  9. With a clan of five, I can understand how things may feel empty with less. I can't imagine not having five cats! Though we have our fair share of insanity, I wouldn't have it any other way. Sorry to hear about the loss of another kitty, though we wish Kola the best in his new home! It was fun reading about your four kitties - we look forward to getting to know them better!

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  10. Thank you for sharing your four other kitties! What sweethearts they must be. Our household was in the same predicament just three years ago when we went down to just two rather rapidly. Two! That hadn't been the case since 1989. From our happy family to yours!

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  11. Yep, those spaces are difficult to fill, especially that special space in the heart.

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  12. I hope the lovely Siamese princess will be forever home with you.

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  13. I understand the feeling of something or rather someone missing. I still miss Silas, even though he's been gone for over two years (it doesn't seem possible). While I think of Silver and Shady often too, they didn't live here so I don't see them in my mind as much as I do Silas.

    I'm certain that the cats will find their new order as time goes by. Perhaps Princess Cammie will become a permanent member?

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    1. The absence seems stronger than the presence sometimes. But my memories and photographs will keep Tungsten with me.

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  14. Tungsten's spirit is still present. But your house must seem empty even with four lovely felines needing your attention. I hope Kola is settling in to his new home. From Eileen and Jessica

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    1. A new routine develops whether we want it to or not. It's a way of going on with things.

      How is Jessica feeling now?

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  15. Well your 4 all look very content. I can say being a "6" cat household and having several outdoor kitties (neighbors cats who hang around) we know how it feels when we lose one of our own. It's sad but I bet it won 't be long before you find a new furry friend to take in.

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  16. I am thinking of you and Tungsten today and I have been. I know the sorrow, believe me. xoxo

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