The tuxedo cat panhandled each day Stopping by for a feed or a nibble, A cautious cat, ready to bolt When caught crouched over my cats’ kibble. Futile, no doubt, in fact a certainty But I yelled and shouted all the same Attempting to drive away an annoying Neighborhood-resident cat no-name. The Tuxedo persisted as expected. The observant cat noticed when I departed, Then cleverly moved in for a bite Or crouched and waited if I hadn’t yet started. Then I discovered the sound of the chudder The name for a big cat’s welcoming purr. I practiced on my cats who looked at me oddly, Then attempted to make cat no-name stir The first day the tuxedo came halfway, On the third at my foot quietly sat, The fourth day then ate at the dish. A week later I ran my hand down its back.

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REMARK: While contending with the tuxedo cat, I found an article (on the Alaska Forum: "On Communicating with Cats" - Article #937 by Carla Helfferich) describing the chudder and its effects on a lady’s cat. So I thought why not. I practiced. My cats would now and then stop what they were doing and stare at me in the beginning. Fortunately I had once played the trombone & had the basic ability to buzz the lips and produce a high pitched purr. One day while Tuxey crouched waiting under the end of my car so I tried my new skill and Tuxey immediately got up & came half-way. Tuxey obviously is or was somebody’s pet and when stroked gives a lovely high pitched meow. I think about taking her with me when I move. Passing her on the street this evening, I meowed & chuddered out the car window (food signal) & she recognized me.

Copyright © 2000 Sandra Landfried
July 20, 2000