 |
|
Couple of oddballs there. You might be wondering where this one is headed, and I'll let you know when I find out.
My family had a cat we called Sam. He was a Mackerel (striped) Tabby, grey and black markings, and though I've seen many cats looking very similar, he was definitely one of a kind when it came to personality. He was a comic, a spaz, a psycho, a lazy bumb, you name it. He would answer to anything that remotely sounded like his name (I'd call him Spam on occasion), and you could call him whatever you wanted but never call him late to dinner. When the old electric can opener revved up, step aside... enter the king, at a sprint! He could hear that thing from across town. If you live with a cat you know what I mean.
Sam was also pretty talented, had a few neat tricks under his collar. He used to sit by the back door when he wanted to go out, and when he had our attention but no takers to open the door he would stand on his hind legs and reach for the knob himself. He could never get it to turn though so he'd sit back down and meow until someone stopped waiting for him to "be cute" again and finally opened the door.
Another neat trick was his ability to cover my mouth when I'd blow in his face. This was always great for a few "Awe, how cute" remarks when we had company. I'd rest Sam on my lap, his belly up and his head near my knees. When I'd lean forward and gently blow in his face. He'd squint, and then his paw (one or the other or both) would zip up and gently stop the airflow by covering my lips. That was always fun. I could do that for hours, but Sam usually tired of it and would hop off my lap after a few minutes. Then I'd wonder for a minute where his paws had been -- oh well.
That was a long time ago with old Sam. I miss my cat. In fact, it's been so long that the last trick I shared with you I had completely forgotten, until one night I was reminded in a dream. I had a great day with that fun memory, telling my wife and her family about it. They've heard of old Cat-Sam (as my father called him) more than once.
Now, as I mentioned previously, I'm married, and I have a great little house and yard, but I have no pets. Well, I have fish and they're fun. They have their own little tricks, and are a blast to watch, but they don't purr, or come running when they hear the can opener. I don't have a fuzzball who'll rub around my ankles 24-7, if I stood up long enough. I don't have a... I don't have a cat... oh, wait.
Aha! Spud and Lou! I do have a cat. Two, in fact! Friendly feline visitors from across the street! What a joy. And best of all, we don't have to feed them.
Lou is Lou, just an independent loud meower that ventures up occasionally when we're outside, but mostly he's in our hedges. Using them as a base for plotting to ambush a helpless mouse or bird, or just for napping, which cats often do.
Spud on the other hand is a bit more personable. He comes around to have a nice petting or to just sit and enjoy the weather with us. And he talks back when we speak to him. "How are you today Spud?" - "Meow."
Spud is really a great cat, and best of all, he's a perfect ringer for my old cat Sam, could have been a twin. When we moved in I think Spud and Lou were the first neighbors we met, and I was immediately taken by Spuddy Buddy, as my wife calls him.
Spud. Where did that name come from anyway? He doesn't really look that much like a potato.
Sometimes I think (or like to believe) that we were meant to move into our new neighborhood and meet Spud because of my memories of Sam. But then I snap back to reality and realize that it's most likely because there are approximately 50 million cats that look just the same, so the odds are stacked against destiny, it's only coincidence.
Or is it? Maybe we can argue that coincidence is just a state of mind and facts are irrelevent, that is if you want to keep hope and be optimistic. I guess I'm an optimist. I also like believing that there is more to this life than what we see and feel. My heart strings are attached to a distant, invisible guitar somewhere, being strummed by a great hand. My brain seems to be wired to some gargantuan, invisible, universal network that tunes me in to the oddest things at the oddest times. Just ask my wife. Have you ever felt that way, like sometimes things just click? Like some things were meant to be?
Alright I'll quit, maybe I'm getting too deep there for some of you. Let's leave it at this:
It's like entering a time machine of a sort. Spud is my memory jogger and he makes me happy when he visits. I can enjoy having a pet like Sam all over again, almost. And like I said, we don't have to feed him! My little happy memory jogger is welcome anytime, so is Lou. Jog away.
That's where I was going. Took me long enough to get there. :)
Sad news... just learned recently that Lou was struck by a car and died. I had written this piece before this unfortunate incident and was wondering, after finding out, whether I should still put this up online. Ultimately I decided I should, maybe as a sort of memorial for our friendly feline visitor. Some of you might be saying, "Come on! It's juat a cat!" But remember that this cat was part of a family, and the family is surely saddened by this loss. We are too.Drive cautiously folks - children, and cats, at play.
|
Share your comments and thoughts! Use the handy Online Form to Contact Myeyez.net
Back to Archive
|
|
All content Copyright © by Myeyez.net unless otherwise indicated or implied. Myeyez.net and all identifying graphics are property of Drew Vics. For more information contact  .
|