The cat who launched a thousands jokes, scores of merchandise, a comic book with Garfield, a movie on Lifetime, raised money to help less-fortunate animals and yet still was a little girl’s beloved pet, will be remembered. Tarda passed away earlier this week from health issues probably caused by her dwarfism and given her unusual condition, she managed to live to be seven; according to my vet’s chart, about 44 for a human.
Tarda’s notoriously grumpy face was a side effect from a smaller lower jaw which is common in dwarf cats. Plus felines have fewer facial muscles so they aren’t as expressive as dogs, an animal humanity has conditioned further to be like us. Her name was also a little kid’s take on tartar sauce and contrary to the grumpy face, Tarda was reported to be a sweet, loving cat, fond of her human family.
I missed my chance to meet the famous cat when Tarda was a guest at SXSW. Normally I avoid the debacle and the operators aren’t very good at communicating who the special guests are to us peasants. My boss got his picture with her. Lucky dude.
Mark Evanier, a writer I follow, said he had worked on various incarnations of Garfield as an animated show and comic book for years. He never received such an outpouring of happiness from children until they learned he did the adaptation incorporating Grumpy Cat meeting the fat, lasagna-eating misanthrope.
Aubrey Plaza had a very heartfelt goodbye to Tarda. They sort of worked together as Aubrey provided Tarda’s “voice” for a Lifetime Channel movie, I still want to see it.
Due to the nature of cats, when one goes away, another will fill the vacuum be it Lil’ Bub, Curious Zelda or the lovable Nala. Maybe it will be a cat the Internet has yet to discover.
Bye Tarda, may you find happiness and admiration from my Molly and Miette when you cross the rainbow bridge. Say hello to the numerous Morris tabbies, Salem’s doubles and the two who played Spot on Star Trek: Next Generation.