Thursday, June 4, 2015

Going Cold Turkey




Last fall we said a final goodbye to Satchel, our eighteen-year-old black cat. He was arguably one of our favorite pets, more of a dog in a cat suit than anything else. He was certainly the only cat we’d ever had who would play fetch. 


          We are now in unfamiliar territory – the land of the petless. Since my husband tends to stay rooted in his recliner, there is now no one to run to the door when I return home. My clothes are strangely fur-free, and the twin odors of cat litter and Friskies tuna no longer waft through the house. When I hear an odd noise I actually have to pay attention instead of dismissing it as my sixteen-pound cat thumping around upstairs. 


          Now when I visit friends with pets, they probably wonder why they’ve bothered to invite me at all since their animals get more attention than they do. Molly, the giant Newfoundland; Shultzie, the miniature dachsound; Blue, my son’s skittish cat – whoever they are – big or small – as long there’s fur, when I leave they’re a bit worse for the wear. Most rewarding of all are my daughter’s cats, Marvin and Dusty, who bear a strong resemblance to the cat in the Peanuts cartoon. They drape themselves over you like so much Spanish moss. 


          We had planned to swoop into the local animal shelter this spring and bring two more cats home to what is unquestionably Cat Heaven. However, we will likely be away for some of next year, beginning with a two to three-day road trip.
     I do recall seeing other cars with a cat stretched below the back
window dozing blissfully, but the more likely scenarios for us are an animal ricocheting around the vehicle like a furry icon in a video game and/or two people with clenched jaws, whose faces match their gray hair, the result of being trapped in a car with the unending complaints – and emissions – of an unhappy pet in a carrier. 


          So now I’m spending way too much time watching cat videos, I wait anxiously for news about Albert at Going Gently http://disasterfilm.blogspot.com/ (don't even get me started on Winnie), I melt at pictures of Eli at Henny Penny Lane http://hennypennylane.blogspot.com/, I look forward to what Chance is up to at Far Side of Fifty http://farsideoffifty.blogspot.com/ , and of course I've hit the motherload at Knatolee's World http://knatolee.blogspot.com/ , where she's apparently preparing to build an ark. 
        Meanwhile, the moles have turned the front lawn into their own personal Disneyworld, and the chipmunks in the yard are closing in, now that my mighty hunters are gone.


17 comments:

  1. We've had our cat for going on 8 years. she's a rescue that showed up at my sister's house but she had already rescued two kittens earlier. when we bought the country house, she brought the cat over. Emma, the cat, has been traveling in the car with us ever since. well, except for the past year because we sold the city house last summer. we only had the truck then but every week when we would travel to and from the city, she would sit on the console between us with her carrier behind her open so she could access her safe place when she would get spooked by the big trucks. she didn't fuss or freak out but rode quietly between us.

    ReplyDelete
  2. Oh go on, adopt.
    Somebody is sure to look after your new babies while you are away. Just think how many pets are waiting for a good home; they’re sure to put up with a spell of mummy and daddy being away for a short while.

    Go on, you know you want to. A home without a pet to rule the roost is just no home at all.

    ReplyDelete
  3. Just got back from vacation and am trying to get caught up on blog reading. We have to get a cat sitter when we travel and and house really reeks when we get home. We once had a cat who loved to travel and we took him everywhere--all across the States, to Florida, to Germany and to Turkey. We're contemplating 6 months in England and we're wondering if our cat is up to it.

    ReplyDelete
  4. I know that empty feeling........

    ReplyDelete
  5. Our cats are seventeen. I am NOT looking forward to dealing with their demise and explaining it to the children.

    ReplyDelete
  6. Ah, yes, our outdoor cat departed late last year and now chipmunks vie for a spot at fallen bird seed. Purrl would not have tolerated that.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I see now that we didn't properly appreciate all those body parts on the front sidewalk.

      Delete
  7. We knew that feeling before we got Chance. He is a great companion who we hardly ever leave alone. It is hard when you travel but we have made do. I am certain his days are numbered but while he is with us we enjoy him so:) Find a friend who also has animals and trade pet sitting:)

    ReplyDelete
  8. You've named some of my favorite pet friendly blogs too. I have a cat, and I don't know what I would do without her, but I understand taking on a new pet when you are going to to be away a lot. My cat is one that CATerwauls the entire trip wherever we take her. It makes her crazy.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Yep, that's the model we've always been issued, too!

      Delete
  9. I just know you will be bringing home two kitty cats before long. Marty, thank you! I am honored that you would mention my blog and sweet old Eli in your post. I appreciate that. It is hard to replace a cat as special as Satchel was. He was with you for such a long time.

    ReplyDelete
  10. A little sorry to hear you are currently cat free, but happy to hear you are cat fur free. I don't think I own a single item of clothing now that doesn't have cat hair on it. I love my AngelBoy, but not the constant vacuuming I now do.

    ReplyDelete
  11. That second picture is HILARIOUS. I can't stop laughing.

    I had cats for years until I met Dave -- who's allergic -- and although I love our dog, I do miss my kitties from time to time. (The last one died naturally just as Dave and I prepared to move in together, which was the universe's way of solving a huge problem.)

    I wouldn't let a road trip stop you from adopting some kitties. There will ALWAYS be something in the future about to take you away, some reason to wait. You know? You can always board them!

    ReplyDelete
  12. Yes, that part of my life is now over for a while.

    ReplyDelete
  13. Bahahahaha I am terrified one more cat is going to show up here and I won't be able to say now. I can't even remember what it's like to be petless. Oh wait... I never have been! Like, ever. :) Just don't go off the deep end and adopt 15 like this idiot... ;)

    ReplyDelete

Thanks for stopping by and I'd love to hear what you think.