Cool Cucumber

Yesterday I got the sad news that my former roommate’s cat had died unexpectedly. Melissa came home from work and found her behind a couch. She was my cat too, for a short time. In fact, she was a birthday gift to Melissa from me just 3 years ago.

We got Charlotte when Melissa mentioned that she wanted an all-black kitten. We checked the Humane Society web site until we saw an adorable photo of a 10-week black cat named Sophie. After a visit with several black cats at the humane society, Melissa chose this one because she seemed the most lively. And she was! We had a great time playing with her when she was tiny. I remember her and Cleo sniffing under the door for the first week she was enclosed in Melissa’s room.

Bringing her out to meet my cat was a challenge at first. I still think of how Cleo chased her endlessly until Charlotte finally sought refuge under my wine rack (approx. 3 inches tall). After Charlotte finally got used to submitting to Cleo, aka Queen of the House, they learned to play together. Since both cats were young, they were very rough and often could be heard at 4:00 AM running full-speed throughout the house. Other hobbies were birdwatching out the front window and grooming each other.

The funny thing was that while Cleo was my cat and Charlotte was Melissa’s, we often felt as if our cats preferred the other owner. Cleo adored Melissa and would sleep at the foot of her bed every night, while Charlotte could spend hours on my lap without stirring.

Melissa was able to teach her cat a party trick that was enjoyed by many a guest: she would throw Charlotte’s fake mouse across the living room and the cat would bound after it, returning the toy to Melissa’s feet. We liked to say that she was part dog.

One hard thing about having two cats who loved each other was the inevitable separation that would happen. When Melissa got married to John and moved out 2 years ago, Cleo would pace the house, meowing for the friend who had moved away. I’m so glad she has Ebenezer to play with now… they do many of the same things together that she and Charlotte used to.

Melissa is sad to lose such an affectionate kitty after only 3 years. No one is really sure what happened to her, but she will be missed by everyone (even John). I loved Charlotte because she was mine for a short time and I spoiled her rotten. I’ll always remember her BIG paws, huge face, her clumsiness, and the lovely pearl collar that I made for her. I miss her already.

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Recently I’ve been frustrated when I run, partly because I run with Royal and can’t move my arms naturally when I’m holding a leash. At the end of a run I tend to feel a little lopsided and my lower back is sore from running awkwardly with only one arm swinging. Yes, I’ll bet it was quite the sight to see. However, I found a solution: the belt leash!

Royal does a good job of not tugging me along, and while I have to take the end of it sometimes in my hand (particularly when we cross paths with humans or other canines), he’s been very nice about staying close. I say hooray for belt leashes and for running without looking like a fool!

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It’s been a while since I’ve posted a picture of Cleo, so I thought I’d give you a photo of her acting a little off…

Note: there were no flying insects above this cat as I had initially thought; however, she held this pose for a good half hour while fixated on the ceiling above. This is all the proof I need to show the world that Cleo is a little bit crazy.

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My brother Mark was in Old Navy with me a few weeks ago, and he was adamant about the idea that pet clothes are stupid. I know, and I can sympathize because I used to feel that way. But- that was before I found this tonight…

I am now one of those silly pet people who does brainless things just to make their pets look cute. (But he is so darned cute in his fleece hoodie!)

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