One of the problems of taking things apart and seeing how they work - supposing you’re trying to find out how a cat works—you take that cat apart to see how it works, what you’ve got in your hands is a non-working cat. The cat wasn’t a sort of clunky mechanism that was susceptible to our available tools of analysis.
- Douglas Adams
I have always been a cat person. Though I love dogs, cats have always held a special place in my heart. They have always seemed to understand me in ways that, while impossible to explain, have warmed my heart in ways too numerous to mention.
This episode of the Carnival of the Cats is dedicated to one cat who will always have a special place in my soul. I found Makis, or I should say that he found me, after he road close to 30 miles on the rear axle of a station wagon that I was riding in. It was a cold September morning in Portland, OR. Every time the car came to a halt, I could hear a cat crying. I could have sworn that it was coming from underneath the vehicle, but though I checked a couple of times at stop lights, I couldn’t see anything.
As soon as we got to our destination and the driver shut off the engine, I checked underneath the car again. Lo and behold, off the rear axle jumped a greasy, bedraggled kitten, who couldn’t have been any more than four weeks old. It was love at first sight, and it was the beginning of a relationship that would last 14+ years. We existed on as common a wavelength as a human can with a cat. I was his, and he was mine. Makis and I moved from Portland to Minneapolis, back to Portland, and he rode shotgun with me when I moved from Portland to Houston. He was friend, companion, and God of Hairballs. I can still remember the middle of the night horking sound which signalled Makis’ latest production. I also remember the search for the light switch in the morning, all the while praying I wouldn’t step in the slimy mess by accident. Ah…ain’t love grand???
Two and a half months after I met Susan, Makis’ kidneys began to fail suddenly, and the time came that I knew would come eventually. I made the decision to have Makis euthanized because he was in pain and I couldn’t bear to see him suffer. It was one of the toughest decisions I have ever had to make.
Makis was in his 15th year when his journey ended on January 5, 2000. He is buried in our backyard on the shore of a lake that I have grown to love. It’s a quiet, peaceful setting for one of the most loyal and peaceful souls I have ever known. I missed him then, and I miss him now. I still occasionally shed a tear for my late friend and companion. I sincerely hope that all of you will be as blessed in your life as I was for the 14+ years I had with Makis.
Never play cat and mouse games if you’re a mouse.
- Don Addis
For this week’s Carnival, I have posted the links more or less in the order in which they were received. I have thoroughly enjoyed all of the contribution.
We begin with a contribution from James Owens, who…well, actually he’s a dog person (WHO LET HIM IN??). He’s got some issues with cats, which would explain why he’s given us his 12 Reasons I HATE Cats
Colin Rowley checks in with We Found Where They Hide Their Toys…and no, it’s no longer in the engine block of my F-150.
Jan Bussey tells me that the kids have discovered something better than turkey…and yes, better than catnip. Hmm…does it involve candlelights, soft music, and handcuffs?
Bruce Parello’s Rightward-leaning cat enlightens us about the nuances of nonverbal communication. No, you can keep the teddy bear, thank you very much…
I think my favorite thing in the house has to be the cat…mainly because she’s just like a big piece of noisy Velcro when you toss her at the sofa.
- Michelle Argabrite
Steve Elisson bring us…you got it- more dopey cat pictures
Miss O’Hara introduces us to Remington. Yeah…rough life, eh?
Maggie Katzen really doesn’t know what she’ll name him, but…farm kitty stink butt?? Ewww….
Rob Findlay give us Tommy the Hutt. Now THIS is a cat…and I’ll bet he also makes a handy paperweight.
Nycbabylon brings us Holiday Dieting Tips from MJ Cat. Isn’t this a bit like seeking advice on drug abuse from Rush Limbaugh? Or sex advice from Tammy Faye Bakker? Or relationship advice from me?
OneSmartWoman shows us what can happen while the mouse is away. No doubt who’s running this show, eh?
I have studied many philosophers and many cats. The wisdom of cats is infinitely superior.
- Hippolyte Taine
Watermark wonders Where Are The Cats? It seems someone is running out of cat-related themes. Perhaps some of us might be able to help them out? Cat Psychosis? Dysfunctional Cats? Co-dependent Cats? Feline Serial Killers? How to Disassemble a Cat? Sorry…it’s the best I could do on short notice.
Yes, I was wondering when the Meatloaf Cats would make an appearance. Leave it to Jaybird not to keep me hanging with Inaugural Laziness. Do those things come with legs, or are those optional??
El Capitan has gone and done it again. Catblogging…I can stop any time I want to. Yeah, right….
Once again Ellen is playing games with us. This time it’s Guess the AMCG Cat!
Douglas Cudd, for no particular reason, offers up a picture of his cat, Gatissima. Hey, that’s what we’re here for, y’all.
Everything I know I learned from my cat: When you’re hungry, eat. When you’re tired, nap in a sunbeam. When you go to the vet’s, pee on your owner.
- Gary Smith
J.R. sends a couple pictures of Oreo being cute again. Damn, if only I could find a way to be comfortable in that position….
Sissy Willis shows us her cats doing what they do and demonstrating that the propect of food can bring a temporary truce to the most aggressive of rivals. All right, kids…retreat to your respective corners….
Matt senses A Disturbance In The Force. Of course, being that we are talking about cats here, it’s not like anything serious is going to happen- it’s all going to happen behind the safety of a window.
Mog has some strong opinions about Performance Enhancing Drugs…which is really just code for “Hmm…I wonder how I can work a cat picture into this post??”
Some people say that cats are sneaky, evil, and cruel. True, and they have many other fine qualities as well.
- Missy Dizick
Only Sgt. Hook could connect The Fighting Fusiliers for Freedom with cats. His first-ever CoTC contribution also mentions “activities such as cat juggling, kitten swallowing, and doing strange things to a cat with a fork”. It’s what’s for dinner….
Lesley’s theme for the day is fun with catnip socks. In my next life, I think I want to come back as one of her cats. Clearly, she’s got the good stuff….
Our Fearless, Glorious, and Indescribably Delicious Leader, Laurence Simon comes home and gets greeted with a rousing performance. Yep, cats rule, dogs drool.
Callie sends a picture of Oreo, who seems to have a thing for destroying clocks. Well, time is relative, after all….
Cetus introduces us to Noah. It sounds like the start of something beautiful.
Andrew’s contribution is the calm AND the storm. TOO cute….
Kimberly discusses the finer points of cat furniture. Man, if ours had something like this, they might never go outside again.
LissaKay wants to be a cat in her next life. I used to feel that way too, until I decided to spend a day doing everything my cat did. It was great until I sprained my back trying to lick my butt…and don’t even get me started on the mice….
Thanks to everyone who contributed. It’s refreshing to get a glimpse into the live of those who adore cats as much as I do. Thanks to Laurence Simon for entrusting his brainchild to me. I hope I’ve done it justice.
If any of you are interested in hosting the Carnival of the Cats, please drop Laurence a note. Next week, the Carnival picks up stakes and moves to CathColl.net.
