Day Two

Sidetracked

I intended to write about another rescue animal who rescued me, but my cats had other plans.

A cat fight got me sidetracked as I sat down to write my blog for today. Currently, there are four cats in our home. Three are Ragdolls and one Tuxedo. Fancy, the Tuxedo cat, came into my life about 4 years ago.

For some reason, stray cats started showing up in our neighborhood. We don't, but should, live in the country. We are smack dab in the middle of suburbia. So, it was strange to see so many feral/stray cats wandering around. I started seeing a very pretty white and black cat around, with a small black kitten following her. I will never know the real story, but it appeared as though this was her kitten. Who knows?

Anyway, the larger cat seemed to encourage the small one to beg for food. It worked on me. I would put out food, and when I was out of sight, the kitten would eat. It never ate all of the food. After a few minutes, the larger cat would appear and eat what was left. This went on for quite awhile. Every time I tried to get close to the kitten, he would let out a terrified hiss. I remember laughing because his teeth were big and very white and looked like he was wearing fake vampire teeth!

Eventually, he got used to me. Because I didn't know if he was a she, I started calling him Fancy. With a pretty white "bib" and four white paws, he was stunning. He became Fancy Cat. Fancy would call to me from the bushes when I was outside. He was terrified of Jack, our Bullmastiff, so would not dare enter the yard. He just sat on the wall talking to me. This went on for several months.

One day, I decided it was time to trap Fancy and take him/her to the vet for a checkup, neutering and shots. I wanted to know if Fancy could safely interact with Eli. (I was still under the impression that cats need a "buddy" LOL)  I didn't have a clue about trapping then, so I got a dog kennel and put food in the back of it. When he went in the kennel, I quickly closed the door - or so I thought. I was so proud of myself.

After taking a shower and getting ready to leave, I went to put the kennel in the car. It was empty. I hadn't secured the bottom latch. Surprisingly, Fancy hadn't run away. He was standing there looking at me like, "Hey, Lady! I got stuck in that box but got out - whew." Back to square one.  Eventually I got him back in the box and on to the vet. My vet declared right away that Fancy was a boy, just by the shape of his face. Fancy was neutered, tested and got his shots. He was disease free. We decided to rename him Troy - after Pgh. Steelers' Troy Polamalu. The name Fancy stuck, though.

Fancy was destined to become our next family member. I could go on with stories about the year preceding his entry into the house, but I will save those for another day. Suffice it to say, with patience and love Fancy not only became a member of the household, he's really my best friend.

Which leads me to the dynamics between Eli and Fancy this morning. Every once in awhile, they decide the other must die. Both are neutered males, and both want to be Alpha Cat. After all, Eli was here first. However, Fancy is larger than life. He is vocal, street wise, smart as a whip and clever. Eli is just grouchy. As I sat down to type, I heard the beginnings of a blowout. First came the low growls. Then the yowls. I got up in time to see the posturing - tail flicking, head juking - daring each other to flinch. I calmly asked them to stop. Right. So, I stepped in between them, knowing neither would hurt me.  Now, Fancy won't start a fight, but he will finish one. He can and he knows it. Eli walked away but like any guy who's pumped up for a fight, it took Fancy awhile to calm down. He can't be touched when he's like this, so I just waited. Eli got bored and went outside.

As with children, it's important that our animal family members know they're loved for who they are. I love Eli because he was my first cat, and there for me when I needed him. Fancy found me. He talks to me all day and is the one who tells me when it's time to eat. I love Finn as my sweet, sweet beautiful boy. Chance is the baby and can get away with stuff just because.  No one is replaceable or disposable. Each one made my heart grow bigger. I wish everyone could feel this way.