The Other Cat

Posted on by Claremary P. Sweeney

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Having written A Berkshire Tale with a kitten, ZuZu,  as the main character (ZuZu is my own little  tabby I rescued from under a barn.), I’ve found whenever I write a post with a feline tag, cat lovers tune in. They are a loyal audience.  So, today I’m writing just for them.

Often, people who know me and who read A Berkshire Tale solemnly advise that I should write about “the other cat”. They seem to feel I’m favoring one furry child, ZuZu, over the other, Roxie. They apparently are concerned about her self-esteem. They worry she might IMG_0115develop an inferiority complex once the book hits the best-seller list.

Now,Roxie is a bit quirky in a perverted sort of way. She spent the first few weeks with us atop the refrigerator, swatting wildly at me when I climbed the step-stool to pet her head and  coming down to eat at night only when the coast was clear. We’ve always  had a love/hate relationship. She loves me when I’m sharing my meals with her; when I give her treats; and when I brush her silky, gray coat. She hates me the rest of the time, expressing her disdain in a barrage of disapproving caterwauling, especially when I cough or sneeze in her presence or kiss Charley. She’s a very jealous feline where he is concerned.

IMG_6797At bedtime, she can’t wait until I’m comfortably situated with my iPad propped  against my knees. She  jumps up, sniffs at the current book or golf magazine  Charley is reading, lets him pet her head and then plops down beside me waiting impatiently for the show to begin. Roxie adores YouTube videos of other cats. Her very favorite is Maru.

 

She purrs anxiously when Maru gets into predicaments that no respectable cat would ever get into. She quiets down as soon as Maru eventually manages to escape. She gently touches the screen stroking Maru’s pudgy, serious, little face. When I try to turn off the iPad to go to sleep, she usually bites me. Sometimes she bites me just because the spirit moves her and I am near at hand. Roxie could watch cat videos well into the early morning hours.

Lately she’s taken to lying in wait until I’m heading outside with my hands full. As soon as she sees me re-filling the hummingbird feeder, she disappears until I open the door. Then she comes from out of nowhere and escapes. We invariably engage in a lively game of tag (I’m always It) for an hour or so until I’m on the verge of a stroke and she’s exhausted, panting and prostrate in one of the gardens.We  live across from a wildlife sanctuary. There are fox, red-tailed hawks, owls, and a fisher cat in the woods around our vernal pool. They would just love to make her their entree  of the week. I’ve mentioned to my concerned friends that this could possibly make a gripping tale, ending tragically with Roxie being carried off in the talons of some wild bird. They are appalled. But, I explain that  if she keeps escaping, this very well could  become the concluding chapter to an extremely short biography. She doesn’t realize how vulnerable she is as she flits around the yard, looking over her shoulder to make sure I’m still in the game. I’ll admit there are times when I think I should just give up and go inside for a nap. I rationalize that ZuZu would love to be an only child.  I never do. Charley would be heartbroken if Roxie  wasn’t there to meet him with a favorite toy every time he comes through the door. They are a mutual admiration society.IMG_6779

She enjoys coming into the glassed-in shower stall to observe me washing my hair although she’s not very appreciative when I try to lather behind her ears with the loofah. If I close her out, she perches on the cabinet and peers angrily in at me ala Norman Bates.  I never turn my back on her and usually clear off a bit of the steam on the glass so I can be sure of where she is at all times. Last night I closed the door of the stall and left her in there mesmerized by the drips from IMG_6775the shower head. Charley was not amused when he found her looking out at him brushing his teeth before bedtime. “What were you thinking?” he asked as he carried her to bed in his arms. “She likes it in there,” I murmured, shrugging as I edited my blog page. She rubbed her jaw against my lap top, nudged it around, then proceeded to chew on the corner,  apparently disgruntled to find  I was writing yet another blog post even though I explained that this one was about her. She flopped down next to me with a heavy sigh and tried to type in “Maru” on the screen. I lifted her paw from the keys and then she bit me.

I’ve come to the conclusion she loves Charley and merely tolerates me for my entertainment value. I can live with that.IMG_6791

52 thoughts on “The Other Cat”

    1. She is quite lovely and lovable, too. But Charley is definitely the center of her world and you can hear her purrs all over the house when he comes home. She can’t drop enough toys at his feet. Although, once she did bring me a dead mouse!

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    1. She really is! When she first came to us, she hid for months, but with a lot of love, she’s the first at the door whenever there is a knock. Right now she’s on Charley’s chest, staring adoringly into his eyes. Gotta love her!

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      1. lol my cats love my husband, there is just something about him… He says he’s a dog person but he loves his little girls (kitties)!

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  5. Haha, I love this! Roxie sounds a little bit like my cat Nelson! How funny she’ll sit and watch Maru for hours; I love how they’re intrigued with animals on screen. Great story about her, she should be thrilled with her witty self. 🙂

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  6. Aw, I love this. Tell Charley to give Roxie a pet for me. (I’d ask you, but she’d just bite you.) Now I’m off to go learn more about this Maru cat. I’m hoping that my cat Katie will fall in love with Maru and we can begin a new nighttime routine that does not involve her bathing my chin and drooling in my ear.

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    1. Drool is such a beautiful word when a loving pet’s tongue is at the heart of the matter. On the other hand…..
      Maru is one of the strangest characters out there on YouTube and that’s saying something, you’ll agree. i think he’s an old soul locked in a cat’s body! Have fun. Clare

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  7. Bravo! Of the dozen blogs I found through the Blogging 101 class, yours is hands down the most entertaining. Yes, I am a cat person but I am also a fan of good lively writing. Much fun.

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  8. Hi, Clare.
    You have such a great storytelling voice!I enjoyed your post. I relate to it so much. Especially Roxie watching–and pawing–videos! Our other cat, Sam, does a similar thing. Enjoyed taking blogging 101 with you. Looking forward to more cat hijinks!
    – Serena

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    1. Serena, thank you. Yes, I’ll try to keep my loyal cat followers happy (although I did write a whole book for them!)My next book is about a baby carniverous plant. It’s done except for 2 final photos. (I’ve been illustrating my own writings). I hope to find a real artist to work with someday. I’ll check in with your site later tonight or early tomorrow (It’s 11:45 and Roxie is pawing at the IPad. I think I just heard her say “Maru”). Clare

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  9. Your feline lady tolerates you for your entertainment value and my canine lady tolerates me because I cook good dog-food. She’s totally in love with my husband…I’m just someone who cooks, and has to humored. Great post, Clare. Just loved it 🙂

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    1. Hi, Shafali, Just sent you an email. I was on your site this morning looking at the Mt. Rushmores. We Americans do love to make our mark on nature! Ah, me. It’s too late for a rant. I think Roxie and I might tune in to some Maru before we fall asleep. (Thanks for checking in with the latest post. Wrote it between other projects, so it was a bit hurried.) Sweet dreams. Clare
      .

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  11. What a wonderful story Clare! One that any cat owner can relate too. Mine tends to creep up the second I turn my laptop on, forcing me to do one finger typing while my other hand keeps her occupied. ☺ Loved the video- it is funny how amused I can be by watching a cat with a bag stuck on its head. Next time, I will play the video for my Kiki and see what she thinks! Wishing you all the best for your new compilation! I didn’t know you were an artist as well. ☺

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    1. Thank you. Roxie is a keyboard sitter, too. ZuZu is much better behaved even though she was born in a barn. I’m not really an artist, but I needed to illustrate my book, A Berkshire Tale,quickly, and had no illustrator at the time. So, I apped the photos I’d taken in doing research for the ten stories. Stil looking for that illusive illustrator, but taking my own photos for back-up.

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  12. Hi there – Our cat Kendall is a tortoiseshell and she has a bit of a ‘tude as well. She is a one-woman cat and follows me around like a puppy and basically tolerates my husband because you know he might be the one feeding her on some days but will hiss at anyone else who comes into the house and will then glare at them until they leave. She will let me pet her but after a few seconds will start biting and scratching. She’s going to be 5 years old in a few weeks and she still bites and scratches me… Roxie is beautiful, and I love that she loves Maru – that’s hysterical… Take care and talk soon. Cheryl

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    1. I think Maru is totally adorable. The scene where he walks around with the bag on his head leaves me in stitches every time I see it. I’m glad you checked in to my new site and that I learned how to put a video into my post after taking the WordPress Blogging 101 course. Clare

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    2. Yes, she does have a sweet look to her. I’m actually going to write another post about her tonight,because she has been up to her mischief again! Thanks, It’s my first attempt at linking a YouTube video! I was shocked when I went to View Site and there it was! Who knew?

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      2. Thanks. I’ve been getting some good tips from other Blogger 101’er. Shafali is trying to teach me how to link and I’m going to try to get involved with her weekly event as soon as I’m rid of this cold and can think straight. I don’t even want to look at my latest post. I know the editing was not up to par, but I’ll get back on track next week when my head clears. Clare

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      3. I try to get the know how from my daughter. I am with her now for another one week, and then I will be back to Houston. I have learnt from her how to do it, and upload it to my site, but I have yet to do it.

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  14. Awe! I love that all cats have their own character. No two cats are the same. Cats have such sass. 🙂 I think Roxy is above getting an inferiority complex. 🙂

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  15. I should have stay in bed today as it is not my day. I went to answe your comment and it disappeared on me. No I try to read Louise Penny out order and was lost. I wanted to read her story from the first book that is on my to do list. Checked my site for dogs and again for cats. You will find plenty of animal stories.

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    1. I love reading about your life with your hubby and cat and I’m so glad you were nominated for the Liebster Award. This is the beginning of many for you. I thank you for the nomination but I am not eligible because of the number of followers right now. Being nominated by you is a wonderful award in itself and I thank you for your kindness. I wish there were money involved, so you could take that trip you want. It would make a great blog post! Clare

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  17. Pingback: Guest Star: The Other Cat | Katzenworld

    1. Thank you for reblogging this post. It’s the result of appeasing some of my fellow bloggers who, on reading my bio, discovered I had another cat (Roxie). I’ve written a book about little ZuZu called A Berkshire Tale and people are concerned about Roxie’s ego. So, I started “The Other Cat” posts for Roxie to express her thoughts. I’m glad you enjoyed this introduction into Roxie’s world.

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  19. Pingback: Roxie’s Resolution | Around ZuZu's Barn

      1. Awww thanks! Each one is different. They all have their stories. Hazel fell out of a second story window. Jake was diabetic and increasingly cranky. Morgan with her one-eye is a hoot and Mollie, the sweet 7 lb. alpha cat who runs it all.

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