I have an amazing friend. She is what some people would call a TRUE cat fanatic. Someone asked her if she ever regretted not having children. You know, never hearing the pitter-patter of little feet. Her response was priceless! She said: 'If I want to hear the pitter patter of little feet I'll put boots on my cats!'

She is in a perfect relationship with another amazing friend who understands that she really needs taking care of. Someone who provides the balance for the lunatic behaviour sometimes displayed by said friend.

My husband and I called in the other day. Both our mates were home and we had a riotous time laughing with the Looney over some of her more recent exploits.

When we first met there were only three cats in residence in this house. In twelve short months the number has swelled to five! My friend has what must be visible only to cats. A tattoo on her forehead reading: SUCKER! All cat people share the same tattoo, but as I said, the tattoo is only visible to cats.

The fourth inmate arrived not so long ago. A previously owned cat, terrified by anything that moved. Her beautiful white coat was matted and dirty and she was furiously hostile to the original three kitties in the house. Her eyes were a mess and all in all, this little girl really needed some loving and pampering and a whole lot of understanding. She had only been in the Looney's home a few short weeks when I first saw her and I was horrified by her state of mind and her appearance. After two months we have finally seen her again. Her main problem was that she was deaf, which probably accounted for a lot of her timidity, but the change in her is little short of amazing. Her coat is beautiful. Soft, clean and well groomed. Her eyes are no longer weepy and red rimmed. But the biggest change is in her attitude. As long as she is aware of your presence and not startled by it, she is just lovely. She now sleeps where she pleases, interacts with the other cats and LOVES scritches and pats. Congratulations, you two. She couldn't have found better owners than if she'd put an advert in the paper. Mind you, the SUCKER feature is still there. I'm sure she saw that tattoo.

And now, of course, we come to the FIFTH inmate. This was a very hot debate over the kitchen table. The Looney insists that this fifth cat is just a guest. I've seen the look in his eyes. He's read her forehead! No WAY is he leaving THIS house, thankyouverymuch!!!!! He is there to stay. In fact, when we arrived, he was asleep on the bed...two were asleep in the wardrobe and two were asleep on the Cat Condo. Sounds like a permanent arrangement to me! Hubby suggested that maybe he was a PERMANENT guest, as opposed to the Looney's assertations that the cat was only a temporary visitor. RIGHT!

Sure! We know this Looney and her mad mate too well. Flippy and Mia now own FIVE kitties!!!!!

Copyright © Jo Gray
October 16, 2003