Throughout cities there are colonies of feral cats, it’s such a shame too. Contrary to popular belief, their citizens (maybe catizens) aren’t all unfriendly. With the population living between Apple’s old 183 location and our last apartment, we met several. Over Christmas 2000 Somara even rescued a big male we named Mongo. As sweet as Mongo was, we found a home on a nice farm for him. Last I heard, he lives in the barn and is great friends with a horse.
By Spring 2001 we were getting ready to wind down apartment living as the house was being built. Hopefully Molly and Wicca would get along better since there would be more space for them to “share.” Best of all, no more pet deposits.
So on a Saturday night, I was outside waiting for someone to pick me up for dinner. Out of the corner of my eye, I spotted movement. It was a cat wandering around. Being a Leo and cat fan, I had to follow, see if the kitty was friendly. It ran under a parked car. While I was looking under the vehicle, trying to coax it out, another cat came up beside me. She was gray, had long fur and was unusually trusting. I petted her and she didn’t seem to mind at all. I had no idea about the gender of the hidden cat so I’m not sure if I interrupted anybody’s “date.” However, when discovered how skinny this friendly animal was, I scooped her up (there wasn’t too much struggle) and took her to the apartment for some food.
Initially this cat had to hide out on the porch otherwise Molly would keep assaulting her. We learned this lesson with Mongo, never mind that he outweighed Molly by 50 percent. The new cat wolfed down the food I gave her so she was probably starving or tired of her bug and trash diet. Somara agreed to watch her after my ride showed.
Afterwards, we were going to carry on with the same plan as Mongo. Get this cat neutered and find her a home. Originally I wanted to name her Lily, maintain the Blazing Saddles theme we started with Mongo. Somara thought it was cruel to brand a cat after a prostitute. I felt it was fitting since Madeline Kahn had recently died. Then I proposed Miette (French for “crumb”) because she was cute and a little thief like the girl from The City of Lost Children. This cat has taken the thief moniker pretty well, leave a bag of cat food out and Miette will rip it open in seconds…after you turn your back.
What happened? The plan came undone because Miette proved to be a little sweetheart who bonded to me very quickly. I couldn’t give her up and I think the possibilities with my upcoming house made me a little cat crazy. Miette has always worshipped me a bit as her hero. I tease her by saying she was always born for the domestic life.
Today she is estimated to be 12 years old. Miette remains pretty spry. She loves to climb to the top of the tower, chase bugs and is first in line for treats. Over the years she did become more affectionate through her routines (she used to be a tad distant and would scratch anyone trying to hold her): she demands that I cradle her like a baby in the morning and my lap is her cot in the evening along with a goodnight petting while sitting on my chest as I go to sleep.
How is she with strangers? Miette is cool with adults. She hangs around at the periphery until they sit down. Small children still spook her. Despite many warnings, my niece Madison got bopped in the nose by Miette a few years ago. Hopefully both parties have forgotten the incident.