OK it’s official – I cannot stand not stinking having a cat in the house.
I dream of Patsy, I think I see Patsy out the corner of my eye, and no lie, cats of the street have been coming into my yard and peering at me through the window. Seriously.
I’m not surprised, I cannot remember a time when I have not been obsessed with cats and wished I could grow my own tail. Look, here’s me at about 10, a duplicate of the photo I sent in to Simon Townsend’s Wonderworld in hopes of winning a Thin Lizzy record (I wrote him a special note in the event of me winning a record, indicating that’s the one I wanted – how endearing of me. Surprisingly, I didn’t win anything.) Ah the 70s – rockin the Stubbies shorts & velour sweater. And yes, those are whiskers on my face. Sadly the tail is hidden behind me. Note the shadow of Suzanne and her boyfriend-of-the-time.
In terms of human relationships, there is a respectable time which should pass before you launch into your next relationship. Ok, except for those girls we all know who manage to swing a la monkey bars from one boyfriend/husband to the next without ever having to plug in the electric blanket. But what of pets? How long do I wait until I can get another cat? Because I am wasting serious hours surfing the net porn-style looking at cute pictures of cats, and I am “this” close to stealing Dr Mary’s ball of fluff Minky.
Do I wait until I stop being shocked not to see her sitting on the couch when I walk through the lounge in the morning? Until I stop getting excited to see Whiskas on sale? Is there a mathematical equation involving how long we were together (14.5yrs)?
How long is long enough?
P.S. Yes I realise the cat looks like a Teddy.
P.P.S. Thank you to all you gorgeous people who left such lovely comments and commiserations about poor Patsy, comments which I couldn’t get myself together to answer, sigh.
{ 16 comments }
Esz 07.26.10 at 1:01 pm
I think if you’re missing having a cat you should just get one. Life’s too short not have some furry company like that. I don’t think its disrespectful to get another cat so soon, its not like you would ever forget Patsy or love her less because of the new kitty. That kind of thing can’t be measured anyway.
E 07.26.10 at 1:34 pm
My ancient 20 year old feline lives at my Mum’s home of retirement, I dread the day she shuffles off to sleep, even though she has had an impossible good innings. Bless Patsy, though I think you’ve waited long enough Madame, go out and make a new acquaintance xxx
Fourth Daughter 07.27.10 at 10:18 am
I agree entirely with Esz. Life needs a cat. I have always had one or two except when I was living in a tiny flat in Tokyo and even then I borrowed the neighbour’s cat. Or she borrowed me. Either way it was a happy arrangement. (Not that Suki knows about this).
Simon Townsend’s Wonderworld… that takes me back!!!
By the way one of my friend’s friends was looking for a home for a grown-up cat and I think it was even black and white a la Patsy… write on my blog if you’re interested in finding out more and I’ll see if the cat is still in need of a home.
Patsyfox 07.27.10 at 2:39 pm
That’s so true! Less rules and more doing what we like, I say : )
Patsyfox 07.27.10 at 2:41 pm
Wow, 20 years?! I have aged cat envy. Then again, Patsy was pretty loopy by 14.5 so god knows what shenanigans she would have been up to by 20! I very much like the idea of making a new acquaintance though…x
Patsyfox 07.27.10 at 2:46 pm
Right, that’s it – 3 in a row saying it’s time – IT’S TIME! I’m officially starting the search… I hate to sound superficial but I’d decided to get a different colour next time so as to keep Patsy individual, and to try a different personality. Not that Patsy wasn’t fantabulous, but when she was young – ouch – trying to pick her up resembled a commando maneuver. Apparently ginger cats are lovely, though usually male…Hmmm.
Steve P 07.28.10 at 9:51 pm
hey there! I’ve been lurking on your blog for a while now – i’m a total sucker for a good illustration (and yours are wonderful) – and I thought it’s about time I chimed in on this conversation.
We have a ginger cat, male (his name is Special Agent Dale Cooper, or just Coop) and for a previously non-cat-wanting person I can wholeheartedly recommend getting a big ball of orange. He is completely laid back, likes head rubs, and loves a good sit in the window… plus he ‘talks’ all the time, which is pretty entertaining.
Anyhoot, thats enough cat talking for me (there’s a first time for everything) so good luck with your new friendship!
ps. We got/rescued Coop from Ingrid’s cat shelter in Wallan – and he was ever so happy to have a new home to go to.
http://users.ssc.net.au/ingridshaven/ < i think thats the place.
Steve
Patsyfox 07.28.10 at 10:18 pm
Hello fellow cat person! Loving the ginger encouragement. I have a book called Hollywood Cats, and that’s where I first read that ginger cats are easier to work with – hence all the ginger cats in movies, which if you start to look for, you see – Breakfast At Tiffany’s, Alien, um, others. And some trivia I just discovered: There’s awards in the US called PATSY Awards! I’m going to chose to believe Patsy’s greatness was recognised over there, but actually they stand for Picture Animal Top Star of the Year. Go figure. Thanks for the link, I’ll check it out. A.
Lily 07.29.10 at 7:07 pm
Obviously there will never be another Patsy so I think it’s a great idea to go ginger for your next furry friend.
The photo of you in those boots looks so adorable. This would have been around the time when I first met you. Where have the years gone?
Lily 07.29.10 at 7:10 pm
Oh, I forgot to mention how nice it is to see a self-proclaimed lurker come out of the woodwork and post a comment. ‘Special Agent Dale Cooper’ is such a fine name for a ginger, male cat. I love it, Steve. Hilarious!
Steve 07.30.10 at 8:59 am
Thanks guys, i’m new to this whole blog-o-sphere world (although i have been a computer nerd for many years) … finally decided to chime in on a few conversations seeing as everyone seems pretty nice around here.
As for ‘coop’, we had his name picked out before we found him, and I always pictured that name attached to a ginger cat, so when we found him at the shelter it was all systems go! Our next cat will possibly be named “xray cat” … movie references = genius cat names!
Patsyfox 08.01.10 at 9:27 pm
They are kind of genius! Welcome to the blog-o-sphere!
Mary 08.02.10 at 1:10 pm
Install a cat door first. That is all.
Mary 08.02.10 at 3:03 pm
BTW you were an adorable child!
Get a new cat when you feel ready. There is no formula. You will know. I can’t fathom replacing Snuffy 🙁 any time soon. As for Minky, invite her in, she will love it. Just watch your furniture!
Mrs Underhill 08.04.10 at 10:01 am
Come on Patsy, get a Ginger but hang out for the ONE IN ONE HUNDRED females … yes those are the odds apparently which makes my Pussy Prue so exceptionally precious. As you know I too have a black and white housemate whose volcanic personality sees us regularly kissing and making up after quite violent fights (most recently when he looked so cute in my underwear drawer that I just had to pat him and came out with blood streaming down my hand and arm). This is from a cat who likes TWO dinners a night and sometimes gets them!
Prue on the other hand is like the teddy you drew, she cannot give or get enough love and sits with me daily on my desk and watches over while I work. Our tea break habit is watching other cars on youtube so she can hit the screen.
So of course I love my cats BUT already have a succession plan in place b.c I cannot imagine a pussy free life. I think when they are both around 8 or 9 I will be introducing a kitten into the house. Does that sound cold? I think not. I think it will be good for them to have a young person around the house in their dotage too. Mr Underhill of course has not been informed.
Mrs Underhill 08.04.10 at 10:02 am
typo – other cats not cars!
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