I've always heard and witnessed that death usually comes in pairs. Well, today, sadly, that old adage held true once again. Just as I reported that my cousin Davina's cat Mr. Kitty died earlier this week from a reaction to anesthesia during surgery, so too did a good friend of mine also lose his cat this morning.
Fatman, also known as Fatty, had been the proud pet of Johnnie Brannon, whom I had met through my work with Red Octopus Theatre. Although I only had been acquainted with Fatman for a short time, he left a lasting impression on my heart. Unlike so many cats one meets, Fatman loved to be around large groupsof people and was never scared to make his presence known during writer's meetings with his pathetic and adorable wail. Living up to his name, Fatman was a large cat of approximately 20 pounds. He loved to take naps, perch himself on the window seal, and be held in anyone's arms like a young baby. Many times during our Red Octo meetings, Fatman's curiosity would get the better of him, prompting us to abruptly stop our meetings to clean up his inevitable messes. And when we halted for our usual smoke breaks, Fatman challenged our poor cardio systems with his escape attempts into the backyard. Unfortunately, Fatman fell ill in the past weeks, losing a considerable amount of weight and energy, and seeming to suffer from dehydration. Johnnie learned at the vet this morning that Fatman had developed kidney failure, and felt that humanely euthanising him would be the best and most merciful end to the suffering.
As macho and manly as I always try to appear (and I assure you, it's not that often), I will never be ashamed to admit that I am a cat person. That's not to say that I don't still enjoy dogs. Dogs can be cute and loving and playful, and warm your heart like nothing else. However, there's something so majestic that I have always found in cats and their lifestyles. Usually, when a person admits to liking cats over dogs, they will bring up the subject of ease in cat ownership. And it's quite true. Cats bathe themselves, poo and pee in a contained area, don't jump on you and knock you down, don't usually make messes, and don't hump you and all your friends. Having been an owner of both, I would say that cats will be more of a lazy roommate, whereas a dog will be like having a child that needs constant attention.
I would say that my love for cats extends beyond those simple traits. I love the demeanor and calm reserve that a cat possesses. Cats are not stupid, merely curious creatures that do not always understand the idea of depth, weight, and shape. Cats are extremely independant creatures that refuse to take stupid orders or lessons from humans. Simply put, cats have no rulers.
My first pet as a child was a cat, a beautiful orange and white feline that we named Sugar. Sugar was a fierce loner, and never limited herself to any space in the house. Sugar was quite large, and quick to show her muscle to anyone who got in the way of her plans. When we moved into our new house when I was in third grade, my mother insiste that Sugar would stay outside. However, more times than not Sugar would find herself sleeping at the foot of my bed, as I would sneak her in after my parents would go to sleep. Sugar enjoyed being outside, though, and used her large stature to fend off any challenger to her territory. She also enjoyed catching the many field mice that would attempt to sneak their way into the house during winter. I guess she was trying to pay for her keep. I had Sugar for many years, even through High School. Unfortunately, I never got to say goodbye. Sugar was beginning to grow old and feeble, and just like many cats do, she left home to pass her final days. I never found her, but I've always had the feeling that her spirit lives on in the yards and fields she loved to prowl.
I'm reminded of a line in a play titled "Dog sees God".
"They say that a Dog sees God in his master... But a Cat just has to look in the mirror."
I always liked that.
To Absent Friends,
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