A cat.

[icarus]

So, oh friends who are knowledgeable about cat politics, what would you advise my father? I've already sent my advice.

A Cat

This began quite innocently.

I've been playing the cat game for years, something I made up one evening's walk back when we lived in Alice, the house. Do you remember Alice? [Editor's note: Yes, my dad named his house "Alice." If you saw the house you'd understand.]

Toronto's beaches community is the kind of place that attracts cat people, and so there are cats prowling all over the place. Some are stand-offish, some gregarious, and others are total sucks. Never mind why, but on one evening's walk I made a game of it, counting two points for a sighting, five points for a touch, and seven if I could cause the cat to come to me and suffer my hand upon it. The record is somewhere under one hundred points.

Last week a very plump tortise shell cat wandered into our back garden and onto the deck. I did my usual cat talk and he (or she, or it) came right to me. I rubbed its head, stroked its ample sides and we had a most satisfying commune. A definite seven. The problem is, the cat won't leave.

It's a well fed cat. There are no signs of abuse or neglect. Good fur. No sense that this is a cat in need of a home.

As I said, we had a very nice visit, and I assumed that the cat would go home when I locked up for the night. Not so. Next morning, cat was still there. Annie didn't help at all, she let the cat in the house. Cat looked the entire place over and gave it it's complete approval. Eventually Annie had to put the cat outside. Note there were no frenzies involved, No hissing or scratching. Just very sad and disappointed cat sounds.

We left for a five day journey down the Hudson River Valley on an art, poetry and food break – one last treat before I become a temporary invalid. [Editor's note: My dad is going in for foot surgery.]

That should have been ample time to discourage any cat, but not this one. Still there, insistent. And the cat has a point: "Hey, you let me in before, why not now? What did I do? What did I say? Is there a problem? Let's talk. I can make some changes, lose a little weight. Come on! Don't just slam the door in my face!"

And now I feel terrible.

This is someone's cat. Why does it prefer to be here? Is it an abandoned kitty? What's going on?

What would happen if we took it in?

Is there any higher complement from the animal kingdom than being chosen by a cat?

Is this hubris of the highest order?

Why won't the cat go away?

All thoughts on the subject will be most welcome.

By the way, the cats name in our household is, Speckles. Because of it's most interesting coat.

I'll note he's already named the kitty.

Comments

[tonicollins.livejournal.com]

It seems that the cat's been abandoned or else it *would* go home. Either take the cat in and make it your own or take it to the local shelter and hope that it has a tracking implant, or that it's owner will show up (unlikely) or that it will be adopted.

[icarusancalion.livejournal.com]

Yep. He wants this kitty, I can tell. He just doesn't want to steal someone's beloved pet.

Icarus

[an-kayoh.livejournal.com]

It's possible that this is a recently abandoned cat.

[icarusancalion.livejournal.com]

A friend of mine's neighbor moved away, leaving their persian cat. The cat wasted no time in deciding my friend's house was his new home. And was just as determined.

Icarus

[sharp-tongue.livejournal.com]

He wants the cat and the cat wants him. I think the math here is easy. Father + cat = <3.

[icarusancalion.livejournal.com]

<3

That's the kind of math I like.

[ursula]

Get it a collar with a phone number, and see if anyone calls to ask what's going on?

[icarusancalion.livejournal.com]

Ooo! Clever. I knew there was a reason I ought to ask you guys. *writes this one down.*

[skuf.livejournal.com]

We had a tomcat that came and went as it pleased, sometimes gone for weeks at a time. One summer we decided maybe he should have a collar with a phone number in case he got run over or something.

Next day a couple shows up, absolutely livid that we had put a collar on their cat. Why, he'd been coming to their house and they'd been feeding him for weeks and weeks and the kids loved him and they saw him first!

So we had to get out pictures showing them "their" cat and his 5+ years with our family from kitten :o)

I totally second the idea, though - it seems to be the easiest way to find out if there's an owner out there.

[aphephobia.livejournal.com]

Okay, one suspicion I have is that it might be a recently-abandoned cat who was formerly cared for, but dumped for whatever reason. Maybe her (most torties are female, so I'm assuming here) owner died and the family members didn't like her, maybe she was a cute widdle kitten who just happened to grow up and the children she was bought for got sick of her, maybe her previous owners moved/went on holiday/split up/had a baby/any other number of reasons people decide to dispose of their pets. And plenty of them either feel too guilty about the concept of killing the animal- or taking it to a shelter- or can't be arsed finding a home for it through sensible means. They have this idea that it's somehow kinder to "let it back into the wild."

It would, at least, explain her healthy condition, and the fact that she's not terrified of people.

My grandmother's cat, Sylvi, chose my grandmother like that, too. The thing was, every year, a random adult cat would turn up in that street- they were usually in reasonably good condition, and weren't scared of people- and they turned up just before the holiday period in Australia. We suspect people were dumping them down one of the laneways- the street was populated with little old ladies who'd take them in. My grandmother wasn't really a cat person, but because my sister and I loved Sylvi, she took her in... and they had this funny "I love you but I'll pretend I don't" attitude towards one another.

[orca-girl.livejournal.com]

*nods* My mother lives on a resort island on the Jersey shore, and she has worked with local animal control regarding the feral cats in the area (whom, of course, she used to feed... and name...). They reported that a surprising number of people would either bring their pets on vacation, but abandon them; bring them, find the rental place wouldn't allow them, and turn them loose; or, let them roam around and not be able to find them when it was time to leave.

My current main cat is a completely friendly and loving cat who had been a kitten acquired by some univ. students at the start of an academic year, and then presumably either their parents refused to allow her to be kept, or (quite likely) they didn't want to go to the trouble to find a summer rental that would take cats (I know how hard it is! because I *did* it...), so they just turned her loose when they were kicked off campus, poor thing. And she made herself friendly at people on campus for the next three months, before my friend passed her one rainy day, and said, "If you're still here when I come out of this meeting, you are *so* getting rescued." And she was still there. :)

(I get angry thinking about her former owners having gotten to enjoy her being a kitten, when I didn't; and I can't fathom how they could abandon her. She's the best cat I've ever had. But I do reflect that if they hadn't, I wouldn't have her now, so...)

[lttledvl.livejournal.com]

[orca-girl.livejournal.com]

Oh, *totally* been in that position.

I would say -- take the cat in. Get a pic of it and post the pic around. Also -- call all area vets and shelters to see if someone has been inquiring about a lost cat of that description. And/or leave the description with the area vets/shelters in case someone does call. In one case where this happened, I also called the local police dept., again to see if there was a report missing. Keep an eye out, or have someone else more mobile keep an eye out, for posted notices. (Try, in other words, to think like people who legitimately lost their cat -- what would I do to try to locate my cat again?)

If the cat's well-fed it seems very unlikely that it was abandoned, but you never know. I somewhat gather that cats may vary in regards becoming lost (there who can wander very far away in a strange place, but still find their way back to where they started; maybe others can't).

The thing is -- if my cat were lost, I'd be a little scared that someone taking her in would mean I wouldn't find her... but I think I would rather be able to think that she'd been taken in and taken care of, than not. (And I currently own a cat who *was* abandoned and who fended for herself and starved for 3 months, while soliciting people, until raqs scooped her up.)

It also seems like, even if this cat is a part of your father's life only for a brief time -- sometimes, that's all that life gives you, and it's better to embrace it than not to let it in at all.

[icarusancalion.livejournal.com]

The thing is -- if my cat were lost, I'd be a little scared that someone taking her in would mean I wouldn't find her...

I'm thinking the collar idea is both clever and the best solution.

[slb44.livejournal.com]

We had the exact same thing happen to us when we were living in Toronto (Roncesvalles to be precise). Except it was the middle of a particularly miserable February. So we took the cat in and fed it and I started trying to find it's caregiver. Umteen posters, radio call in shows and word of mouth in the neighbourhood and the local vets, cat and Dad were bonded. We never did figure out where he came from. Turned out to be a Maine Coon! We've had a lot of cats over the years but he really was the most incredible addition to the family and we had him for sixteen years. So tell your dad to get used to it and take the cat in. People abandon cats in Toronto frequently this one is very lucky to have found good people and a good home.

[icarusancalion.livejournal.com]

People abandon cats in Toronto frequently this one is very lucky to have found good people and a good home.

Thank you for telling me. And a Maine Coon! Cool.

[wishwords.livejournal.com]

It could be that the owners got a second cat or a dog that Speckles didn't like so she went people/house shopping and thinks your dad and his set up are just smashing. If she came back after he'd been gone five days chances are that she REALLY likes him for some reason.

[icarusancalion.livejournal.com]

If she came back after he'd been gone five days chances are that she REALLY likes him for some reason.

My money's on family moved and couldn't find their cat.

...and thinks your dad and his set up are just smashing.

"Hey, great place you got here. Good petting -- sold!"

[ifyouweremine.livejournal.com]

OMG. Your dad WINS. ^_____^

I agree with what orca_girl said.

If Speckles has no collar or tracking implant and no one responds to a “Found” flier or reports a cat of that description as missing, then there’s really nothing more your dad can do.

In such a case, the previous owners are either inaccessible or abandoned it, which means that Speckles is his.

…Also, I think I’ve been reading too much J2 RPS, because I accidentally typed “Smeckles” just then (Jared Padalecki’s nickname for Jensen Ackles). Huh. o_O ^_____~

[icarusancalion.livejournal.com]

OMG. Your dad WINS. ^_____^

I've always had the cool dad. WG met him and compared him to John Lennon.

because I accidentally typed “Smeckles” just then (Jared Padalecki’s nickname for Jensen Ackles). Huh.

That's his nickname? Adorable!

[lttledvl.livejournal.com]

I agree with everyone else, if he doesn't get any response to a 'found' flyer, kitty is his (though it seems to have happened already).

However, there is another idea if your dad hasn't done so already; check the local vets offices for flyers on lost pets. He may recognize kitty; by the same token, he should post 'found' flyers there as well. If in a couple of weeks he doesn't hear anything....kitty has new home ;)

[icarusancalion.livejournal.com]

check the local vets offices for flyers on lost pets. He may recognize kitty; by the same token, he should post 'found' flyers there as well.

That's a good idea.

[shezan.livejournal.com]

My father was regularly chosen by cats. They moved in, and that was it. Yours'd better make a vet appointment to check for Specles's shots.

[icarusancalion.livejournal.com]

Regularly? Cool.

[swatkat24.livejournal.com]

It seems your father has been adopted by Speckles. I don't think he *has* an option... *g*

[icarusancalion.livejournal.com]

I don't think he *has* an option...

After sitting on the back porch for five days, yep, I think you're right there.

[lherelenfeline.livejournal.com]

The cat chose your dad, end of story.

[icarusancalion.livejournal.com]

Ha. It must be the superior petting ability.

[tartanshell.livejournal.com]

I agree with everybody above--sounds like your dad's got a new cat. *g*

(I also agree that putting up a 'found' flyer might not be a bad idea.)

[icarusancalion.livejournal.com]

I agree with everybody above--sounds like your dad's got a new cat. *g*

I was hoping you dropped by. Yep. That seems to be the consensus.

Good. Dad needed a new cat.

[iibnf.livejournal.com]

Congratulate your father on his new cat.

[icarusancalion.livejournal.com]

LOL! I'll pass that along.

[angiepen.livejournal.com]

It might belong to someone else but just like visiting. When I was a kid, we had a part-time cat. Kitty (our neighbor wasn't terribly creative about names) was a huge white-with-grey Persian who'd come to the back door around mid-morning. We'd let him in and he'd wander around and make himself at home, then leave around mid- to late-afternoon. Which was just as well because my dad wouldn't have liked having him around. [wry smile] We knew who he belonged to and our neighbor didn't care that Kitty spent his days with us, but anyone coming over in the middle of the day would assume Kitty was ours, unless they were a neighbor who also knew the cat.

I second the collar/ID idea, though. And seriously, why would anyone let their cat run around loose without ID anyway? :/ So have your dad put a collar on it with name/address/phone# and if that flushes out the owner then it does, and if not then the cat has ID and can be brought home in case it gets lost again. :)

Angie

[icarusancalion.livejournal.com]

You had a share cat? That's great. I pointed that possibility out to my dad. *g*

[libitina]

I agree with everyone - make a token effort to find the cat's home (and arrange visitation rights, if she is claimed). And the first step in the acquisition of a new cat is *always* a stop by the veterinarian's office - get her tested for flv and stuff and see if she has earmites.

Oh, and you don't have to look between her legs to sex this cats - only females can be tortoise shell or calico.

[monanotlisa.livejournal.com]

Oh, and you don't have to look between her legs to sex this cats - only females can be tortoise shell or calico.

Interesting! How come?

And Icarus? I second the collar idea; if no one calls, the cat should keep him.

[ansku]

The cat has obviously chosen, there probably won't be any changing of her mind :) Has there been any new developments of the situation? I realize I'm pretty late in this comment...

[icarusancalion.livejournal.com]

No new news, but dad has his foot surgery so I'm sure I'll hear afterward.