An update about the Cat With No Name.
Very regular readers might just recall I have occasionally written about “my” cat – the Cat With No Name.
To reprise, he came into my life when I found my present sanctuary, damn near homeless and at a very low ebb professionally and personally. He turned up one day seeking shelter in the garden. I can hardly say he was feral, he was too poor a hunter for that, but he was essentially wild and terrified of people, even when I offered him food. His experiences and fortunes seemed to have mirrored my own, and so I set about looking after him.
It has been a long journey, and it took many months before I could touch him. Slowly he has become almost domesticated, but even now although he loved being brushed and petted he doesn’t like being “handled” in the sense of being picked up, and a fear of confinement which makes me wonder if he hadn’t been trapped and tormented in some way. I gave him a home.
It has been a long, slowly journey which required a lot of patience. It was a full year as I recall before he decided to investigate the house, and he was mute – no purrs, or meows. That has slowly changed.
He has a good life now, full of treats and safe from harm. He is actually incredibly gentle and undemanding and clean.
However towards the end of last year I could tell he was not well. I didn’t know what the problem was, but he had bad bowels and looked sad and tired. I wanted to get him to the vet, but I was uncertain about confining him or what effect that might have on the bond of trust I had worked so hard to build up. Fortunately my lovely friend Dr Pesta – a vet – came over from America, quite literally to the rescue. She has a special way with animals and although he kicked off quite a fuss, she kindly but firmly controlled him and gave him the once over. The problem became clear. He had a really bad infection in his mouth, with abscesses or sores in his gums at the back. Poor little chap. The answer was surgery, and teeth out.
Not before the vet’s premises had been inspected by Dr Pesta, who introduced herself to the rather startled and awestruck staff, and sweetly but firmly demanded to give the premises and kit a once over. This she duly did, and pronounced herself satisfied.
So with the help of my friend Cat was poured from his little tent house into a box and off to the vet he went, plainly terrified. He kicked off quite a fuss there too. He isn’t violent, and doesn’t scratch – he is just terrified.
The little chap arrived back a couple of days later, minus quite a few teeth and full of vitamins and antibiotic shots – he had picked up some nasties in his wild life, as was to be expected. He was a bit irked by the whole experience I could tell, but he settled down soon enough.
The problem is that this year the problem has resurfaced and I could tell he was in discomfort. I dreaded taking on the task on my own, but with the aid of a blanket I got the surprised Cat into the basket with reasonable speed and efficiency, although he didn’t like it at all. Off to the vet we went, where he was again very scared but acquiesced. A power booster of something was prescribed, which did him the world of good, but another dose was needed a couple of weeks later. This time he recognised the little trap I had made – he’s not stupid, this fellow. And I made a total mess of getting hold of him. A chase ensued, and then he got completely bundled up and stuck in the blanket – my worst nightmare. His booster again helped him a lot, but he had been traumatised way more than I feared.
So he has for a while been a bit edgy and much more reluctant to come in. He seemed to ponder the process for a bit, and he was wary. I understand his perspective.
This week I had to go away on trip for a couple of days. Cat minders were of course enlisted, so he was fully catered for. I returned on Friday afternoon. The minders told me that he had not been in and didn’t seem to be around much. I was concerned.
I went out into the little garden, and there he was on the shed, looking at me impassively and a bit damp from the rain. I bid him good afternoon and made few of the funny clucking noises I make when I call to him, but he stayed where he was, so I went into the kitchen to make a cup of tea. Just a few moments later I discovered Cat winding his way around my feet. As is always my when he is wet way I started to dry him off with a piece of kitchen towel, and he started to purr – much more loudly than I had noticed him for quite a while. He can grin too, which he does when I tickle his forehead. He seemed very happy, and was soon tucking into a meal of tuna and biscuits, and still purring.
I went upstairs to my study to check the emails, and was engrossed in doing that for perhaps 20 minutes. When I turned round in my chair I found Cat sitting and watching me. Just sitting and watching.
We were friends again. We went downstairs and – against “doctor’s orders” – he had a saucer of single cream, which he loved. Later in the evening he sat back on his favourite chair, next to mine and within reach, and slept in total relaxation. He is back there today.
Two matters. Is it possible for an animal to love? I think so. I don’t see any problem with that. Not just loyalty, but in the way we do.
And there is something else. I told my friend Dr Pesta about this story over the phone and she said that problem could have been me. I made major life decision this week, to let some things go, and to take some time out and re-assess my career and priorities. It will involve some financial downsizing and pain, but in the long run I just want to be happy.
When I had reached this decision I felt much more relaxed. Dr Pesta told me not only did I sound a million times better than I had for a while, but that Cat would sense this. Cats, she explained, can be amazingly sensitive to body language and atmosphere. If I was feeling anxious and stressed – which I had been, for all sorts of reasons – then he would pick up on that straight away, and would react accordingly. If he is back to “normal” she suggested, it is because I am back to normal – and thus had made the right decision.
My little friend has helped me understand myself again.
Later on the Classic FM I heard a version of “Bring Him Home” from “Les Miserables”, performed by “The Piano Guys”. I hadn’t heard of them before, but it was beautiful, and seemed appropriate and relevant for some reason I couldn’t define. Please enjoy, I think it’s lovely. Happy Sunday.
Gildas the Monk
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August 3, 2014 at 10:36 am -
Coincidence?
http://theylaughedatnoah.blogspot.co.uk/2014/08/the-challenge-of-contentment.html
Best wishes for a happy reorientation.
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August 3, 2014 at 10:58 am -
That is SPOT ON!!
Many thanks
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August 3, 2014 at 10:36 am -
Lovely story, Gildas. I too took in a stray way back in 1998, and she’s still with me. No idea how old she is; she wasn’t a kitten when she arrived. The symbiotic relationship one can have with a cat or a dog (and I’ve had both) is unlike any other I’ve personally experienced – different from friendships with one’s fellow man and woman, but in many respects just as rich and rewarding. Once trust is established, there are none of the uncertainties that plague human interaction; it’s there for the duration. Maybe the fact that two-way conversation isn’t part of the relationship gives it that unique, telepathic element that makes it so special. Or perhaps it merely comes down to the simple fact that it’s just very nice to be loved!
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August 3, 2014 at 10:57 am -
What a lovely comment!
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August 3, 2014 at 10:52 pm -
We have a little black & white (very young) cat we are trying to entice in – showed up around the last bank holiday in May. If we can get him into a box, a trip to the vets is in store, to scan for a chip.
But I’m not hopeful he’ll have one
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August 3, 2014 at 10:58 am -
Gotta say Gildas although I will never meet your chum Pesta she appears an exceptionally kind and wise person —-and having more than one kitty myself I can vouch that dentistry is one of the things that really improves the quality of their lives (though is no so good for ones bank balance). The founding father of my tribe (I look after his grandkittens) was a black and white and wandered in to my life in much the same circumstances as yours appears to have done —-with much the same effect for the better.
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August 3, 2014 at 11:47 am -
She is the most remarkable and best person I ever met, Steve. We met at uni, 30 years ago. She is a very special person, and the animals she treats know it.
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August 3, 2014 at 11:05 am -
If only as many humans reacted the same way to care, affection, hospitality & respect, that cats do. I suspect a greater % of the latter repay their hosts in kind, than the former.
Regarding your decision this week to re-assess your career and priorities, contentment is a wonderful & relaxing emotion. Whilst the cost can sometimes be measured financially, it sure overcomes ‘pain’. A miserable millionaire might leave a quantifiable legacy upon death; but the objective of life is life, not financial enrichment.
YOLO.
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August 3, 2014 at 11:46 am -
Thanks Joe – as ever. both kind and insightful
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August 3, 2014 at 11:23 am -
What a heart warming tale. Cynical and jaded old sausage that I am, I can sometimes be caught off guard and reminded of my basic humanity. Thank you.
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August 3, 2014 at 11:42 am -
I hate “sung through” musicals but went to Les Mis because my friend Carrie Hope Fletcher got a big part in it (she’s super but I still don’t enjoy “sung throughs”) but the trip was worth while because of Bring Him Home – a stunning song, beautifully performed in the show. I’m also not a big cat fan (they are too self interested) but adore all dogs without exception. Animals are wonderful. Your friend is quite right – they can sense hidden depths in us humans. Give the Cat a kiss from us all.
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August 3, 2014 at 12:40 pm -
My very highly-strung dog was given a pre-med sedative injection at home before being taken by the vet for a small operation a few months ago. He was delivered back about three hours later, very woozy, but I was told he had been a good boy. The NHS would be far better with vets running it.
And yes, I’m sure that he can read my mind.
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August 3, 2014 at 5:37 pm -
“The NHS would be far better with vets running it.”
The latter have the authority to offer to euthanise those severe cases in their care; I suspect many hospital Financial Officers having tight budgets are envious.
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August 4, 2014 at 12:30 pm -
Hospitals are/were getting financial rewards the more people they put on the Liverpool ‘Care’ Pathway. Perhaps a test-run?
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August 3, 2014 at 1:07 pm -
Nice, Gildas.
Aye cats DO pick up on atmosphere.
I was once going through a rough time with a, now, ex wife.
HER cat would not leave me alone.
After years of being totaly indifferent, every time I sat down, she was there on my knee.
When I moved out, she followed me, and I found her one night sitting on my door step. (Only the other end of the village, we are not talking London/Manchester here).
From then on she was “MY” cat.
Who woulkd have thought that cats could take sides in a divorce!?
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August 3, 2014 at 1:14 pm -
What a lovely post. All my cats have been ferals, who attached themselves to me. In the case of the present incumbents, their mother gave birth to them in plastic washing up bowl at the bottom of the garden which I had forgotten about, and then left them at my backdoor in the same way babes were traditionally abandoned on the steps of a nunnery. They grew up very psychologically robust, I have to say, and seem to feel no shame about their murky beginnings.
It is not true to say that cats have less love for human beings than dogs. The latter are pack animals so they naturally gravitate towards anything which resembles one, and they feel very happy and secure taking orders from Pack Leader. Cats on the other hand will only deign to give you their confidence and affection if you have shown yourself worthy of it: food they will take from you, of course. And yes, Anna: I think your friend is right. All animals sense it if you are stressed and worried, and it unsettles them. We’re all mammals here. Humans can at least talk about the problem (not that that necessarily helps!), but at least it gives us the illusion we can do something. I hope you feel better now you have made a decision. Best wishes.
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August 3, 2014 at 1:17 pm -
This rang a bell. My mum moved into sheltered housing – no pets allowed – a few years back. There were a couple of semi feral cats wandering around and she has made friends with one. Gradually he has begun to creep in for his bowl of top of the range cat food. He lets my mum pet him, and hangs around waiting for her to come in,but if I, or anyone else,come near he runs away. Like Gilda’s cat he is totally mute and he won’t stay in the flat – so technically Mum isn’t breaking the no pets rule which is brilliant for both of them. He’s pretty hefty and so far in good health *crosses fingers*
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August 3, 2014 at 2:27 pm -
This “No pets rule.”
After many years with various police forces, I “retrained” as what we call here a “Demenzkrankbegleiter.”
What we do is help with readjusting to life in a home, or sheltered housing, help with cooking, read newspapers for the people who have forgotten how to, etc.
One thing we find, is that pets, be it cats, dogs, even hamsters or gold fish, help immensely.
It gives the people a purpose, to look after an animal. A person who can not remember how to tie his shoe laces, will remember that every day at, say, 8 A.M, and 8P.M, the cat/dog/whatever, need feeding, or taking for a walk (In which case part of my job is to accompany them, so they do not get lost on the way. Although the dogs normally know EXACTLY how to get back for their food bowl!
Pets are, in my opinion, a Godsend for the residents, and are encouraged here.
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August 3, 2014 at 2:51 pm -
I completely agree with you, and some of the residential homes for the very frail elderly do keep pets for their residents. My mum can still live fairly independently in private sheltered accommodation but I found they all seemed to have this ban. There is also a gap in the market for your sort of ‘befriending’ – Mum would like a bit of intelligent help, rather than care, so she doesn’t always have to ask me to take her out and about, but it’s hard to find. Keep up the good work!
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August 3, 2014 at 1:54 pm -
Lovely comments. Thank you all
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August 3, 2014 at 3:28 pm -
Nice story Gildas and I’m glad that you have worked out your personal life issues.
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August 3, 2014 at 3:56 pm -
Great story which has cheered up my weekend. Cats are amazing creatures.
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August 3, 2014 at 5:10 pm -
“Two matters. Is it possible for an animal to love? I think so. I don’t see any problem with that. Not just loyalty, but in the way we do.”
Not quite in the way we do but certainly an ‘affection’ for want of a better word is possible and hinted at in the bible many places. Perhaps a better word for what some animals can feel for us would be ‘Sympathy’ -in the continental or chemical sense. My language skills aren’t that what they once was but below is a “Quick N Dirty” of Genesis (1M) 2.18 (translated into English from probably the most accurate Bible translation going, a translation that is soooo OCD it makes up words to better express the Hebrew. The NIV is theologically just so much toilet paper):
1M2.18 and •JHWH •ÄLoHI´M spoke:
Not good is the ‘becoming’ of ADa´M
for himself alone;
i will to him a help make
as his Presence.
1M2.19 and •JHWH •ÄLoHI´M
formed out of ADaMa´H*
all every Beliving of the Fieldness
and ` allevery Flapper of Heaven
and brought it to the ADa´M,
to see, what he would call him;
und all, what to him call the ADa´M
as living Soul,
it is his Name.
1M2.20 And the ADa´M called Names
for all the animals
and for the Flappingness of Heaven
and for allevery Beliving of Fieldness;
but for himself, the ADa´M,
not found he a Helper
as his Presence.Oh fuck it , I was going to write some long winded Theological treatise but life is too short . Long and Short, God gave animals the capacity to feel sympathy/affection/love towards humans . /doctoral thesis
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August 3, 2014 at 7:01 pm -
Fascinating!
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August 3, 2014 at 8:39 pm -
I’ve always kept cats. Now, unexpectedly I find myself catless and bereft of their company. I’ve got no-one to talk to!
There are plenty of strays desperate for a home, but vets bills put me off. That and the fact that you have to put them down when they fall ill. Horrible.
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August 3, 2014 at 11:06 pm -
“… plenty of strays desperate for a home, but vets bills put me off. That and the fact that you have to put them down when they fall ill. Horrible.”
There are plenty of animals in rescue facilities that need homes, ‘oi you’. Any of them would be delighted to go home with you … and you’d be assured that it had been spayed or neutered and had all its shots. Nil desperandum.
ΠΞ
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August 3, 2014 at 9:02 pm -
What a lovely post and comments.
I too had a feral cat who sadly had to be put to sleep last year after developing renal failure. She came to me as a six week old starving and cold kitten found on my friends’ finca. She too was mute for years and the first time she mewed to me she was as surprised as I was. The same when she first purred!
She didn’t like to be handled but would tolerate my cuddling her for a couple of minutes. I have no doubt that she loved me as much as I loved her. On the morning of the day I was dreading she jumped onto my bed and lay next to me (she hadn’t done that for years). She followed me downstairs and when I sat on the sofa with my cuppa she jumped up and lay half across my lap just looking at me (she’d never sat on my lap in fifteen years). It was hard not to fantasise that she was thanking me for what I was about to do.
I’ve always thought that if animals could cry real tears perhaps those who are cruel to them might pause and think.
I’m glad Cat helped you Gildas and I wish you comfort and peace.
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August 3, 2014 at 10:19 pm -
Apologies for replying to myself but wanted to add;
”He seemed very happy, and was soon tucking into a meal of tuna and biscuits, and still purring.”
When she was fully grown I wanted to vary her diet and give her healthy treats. She sniffed and turned down fresh and tinned fish (salmon, sardines, crab, prawns, sole etc). I offered her everything I thought she might like except milk, cream and cheese (though I think you were right Gildas to give Cat a saucer of cream. Wish I’d done that when she was ill).
She was such a good little cat and without being told not to never jumped up on the kitchen counters or furniture but one day she hopped onto the coffee table and tucked into the bowl of green olives. After that she did the same with a slice of melón I’d pushed aside. They became her treats.
Funny little Mediterranean cat.
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August 4, 2014 at 10:34 am -
Oh that is so lovely I could cry
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August 3, 2014 at 10:26 pm -
Lovely post.
but even now although he loved being brushed and petted he doesn’t like being “handled” in the sense of being picked up, and a fear of confinement which makes me wonder if he hadn’t been trapped and tormented in some way.
My rescue cat Cassie who passed away last year took several years before she became comfortable with being picked up and generally handled. It was a slow process. I still have funny memories of her early years, of the chases that ensued when her telepathy told her that she was about to be taken to the vets, given medicine, etc. And the time I had to give her a bath and discovered that cats can, indeed, run around walls like a wall of death motorcycle without ever touching the floor.
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August 3, 2014 at 11:33 pm -
And the time I had to give her a bath and discovered that cats can, indeed, run around walls like a wall of death motorcycle without ever touching the floor.
Superb!
One time we were trying to catch her when she was young but grown for a vet visit and she bit my OH, not hard but cut the skin. He joked about it at the vet’s and OMG suddenly it was serious. We had to have a visit from the Rabies Inspector and a signed off Certificate. I appreciated it was necessary but easier said than done to confine her for the inspection. (He took one look at her running around the courtyard with all her hiding places blocked up and terrified of strangers and issued her certificate of sanity on the spot.
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August 3, 2014 at 11:05 pm -
“Is it possible for an animal to love?”
This, of course, is like trying to prove or disprove the existence of gods. I have seen too much evidence of animal love to disbelieve it; what’s more, animal love — unlike that of humans — is unconditional.
Dr. Pesta is undoubtedly right: animals have senses we, with our enhanced ‘thinking’, have lost. They can read our mood and they react to it.
An important thing for us to remember is that, whereas we can go off to work, out to dinner or to the theatre, our animal friend cannot and — more to the point — does not understand its human’s sudden disappearance. More alarming, from the animal’s point of view, is that, although its human has returned on previous such occasions, it doesn’t know when — or even if — he will return. Our animal friends live their lives through us; we owe it to them to see that they feel secure in our constancy.
“She is a very special person, and the animals she treats know it.”
They always do.
“The NHS would be far better with vets running it.” — Stewart Cowan.
I think that, at least, they’d be less in the thrall of the ‘medicine by numbers’ that seems to grip to-day’s doctors. Had your glycaemia checked this week?
ΠΞ
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August 4, 2014 at 1:31 am -
My wife & I have several cats: mostly “rejects” from the show breeding circle. Without exception they are all totally different characters, but the one thing – no, two things – they have in common is that they are all dearly loved, and that love is fully reciprocated. Madam tells me that a good five minutes before I get home from work, they gather near the front door and the timing of this varies, as I am often subject to delays during my 2.5hr (each way) commute but she knows that when they gather, I’ll be back in five or so.
They all take turns then for five minutes or more on my lap – one at a time – and they just settle, purr, and perforate my knees with their padding. They definitely love us back, undemandingly and unconditionally.
We too, are very fortunate in having in our village a wonderful vet who looks after our little menagerie with dedication, understanding and genuine care and concern for his patients – he also has a superb bedside manner in discussing things with the owners.
If only our human acquaintances brought us as much joy and happiness, with so few demands, as our four-legged fluffies.
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August 4, 2014 at 10:35 am -
Exactly Ted – I completely concur
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August 3, 2014 at 11:17 pm -
So that’s the cat and the major life decision sorted, now it’s high time to attack all those weeds growing between the paving-slabs.
No rest for the wicked, even for a wickedly-good-writing monk.
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August 4, 2014 at 12:54 am -
Lovely story, I have always had cats and they certainly do love, especially the ones I have taken in who were badly treated. I had a feral cat we got in Teheran and took her out with us when we were evacuated by the US military during the revolution, the cleverest cat ever. A Siamese we bought in Germany who lived to 21 and many others, all with their own personalities. It was usually the cats who found me I could tell a dozen stories of strange coincidences. I can’t imagine life without a cat, especially since I was widowed seven years ago.
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August 4, 2014 at 1:54 am -
I think animals size-up the person who has taken them in and then instinct tells them if that person is prepared to put the years in. My cat, like many strays or rescue cats mentioned on here already, also spent our early time together keeping a discreet distance and exhibiting muteness. Then one day, after about three or four months, I remember lifting her onto the work surface where I put out her food (to stop the dog eating it) and she suddenly stretched out her paws on my chest, the first voluntary sign of affection towards me she’d shown. I realised one of her paws was caught in her collar and I duly removed it for her. That was the moment that clinched it, really; and we’ve understood each other ever since.
By the way, a lot of love in the house today thanks to your post, Gildas – and that can’t always be said on here! Nice move.-
August 4, 2014 at 10:50 am -
Thanks – great observation
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August 4, 2014 at 10:54 pm -
Lovely story. I’ve got four cats all either strays or from cats protection. They do like to be around me. On Saturdays the wife watches whatever rubbish is on the TV, me I like to play music in my study, usually Rock or Metal loudly. One of my boys loves to come in and sit on the arm of the chair and be fussed whilst I’m playing at concert volume. He’s as happy as Larry.
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August 4, 2014 at 11:08 pm -
Well done for looking after Cat, Gildas. May you both find a measure of peace and contentment.
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August 5, 2014 at 3:01 am -
Off topic now but can birds really giggle with pleasure?
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3wTWWjYTe1I
It looks like it to me.
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