Speaking of work cats, there was a lovely cat here a long time ago. Although properly a white cat with a few ginger tabby patches, she was mostly grey because of all the grime in the industrial environment. She was so friendly! She used to wait for me at the same spot every day for her pat and treat that I used to give her, once on the way into work, and once on the way out. She was exceptionally friendly for a "feral" cat - even letting you scratch her belly or pick her up for a cuddle. Never once did she try to scratch me or run away, and you could often see people spending a few minutes with her as they walked past her favourite sunning spot. She seemed just like another office worker - her job being to look pretty and provide some stress relief.

The cafeteria people staff fed her very well, which was needed because she was permanently pregnant. She managed to give much pleasure to many people, because I have heard that all her kittens had the same temperament as her, and people used to queue up for her kittens. Although she didn't have an official name, I think she answered to every name that people referred to her by. When I called out "Nanny" she would come, but other people had different names for her, and she answered to those too.

They had a "cost cutting drive" here, and the cafeteria was closed. She was lost for a while, but the kiosk staff took her on as their own, and she got used to being fed at the kiosk instead. But I strongly suspect that her many fans would have fed her well had the kind kiosk people not adopted her.

Then the worst thing happened. The management gave out a directive that they'd be getting rid of all the stray cats because they were presenting a "safety and hygiene hazard". Ok, maybe the really feral ones out in the storage sheds were, but certainly not my "Nanny", she was a pet, domesticated, friendly. She belonged here.

However, management being management, Nanny was just another stray cat, and would be "disposed of" (what a heartless term) if found. That could never do, so I, and a few other cat fans, took around the collection plate to have her spayed, so she would be suitable for adoption. Finally one of the office workers (who I don't know, but they must be kind) took her home to be looked after as she was at work.

It's been six years now, and I had almost forgotten about her until I wrote that message about the fish. I didn't realise how much I missed her until now (I'm starting to cry as I write this - I'm such a softy). I don't even know who took her home, so I can ask about her. I hope she is well loved in her new home.

Occasionally I spot other cats around the works, but they are shy and dart away as soon as you approach them. Nanny didn't do anyone any harm, brought a few moments pleasure to many, many, employees, and probably kept the vermin under control at night to boot. I'm grateful to whoever it was that prevented her from being "disposed of", but gosh I miss her. Her presence was one of the many things that used to make employees happy, back in the old days, before "economic rationalism", and "right-sizing" became the norm.

Copyright © Vicky Chapman
November 30, 1998