Posted on 12/15/2007 9:34:11 AM PST by Congressman Billybob
We have two cats: Weasel, a grey female calico, and Orion, a male orange and white tabby. Orion is a big, lump of a cat, twenty pounds if he’s an ounce. He’s taught me a lesson for years that I finally realized today. He teaches by example.
Orion showed up at the door four years ago in the fall. He was obviously a house cat, not a feral or wild one. He had no collar. We brought him water and food. He wanted to come inside, but we didn’t let him. He was obviously someone else’s cat; we shouldn’t prevent him from going home.
Winter came. The wind chill dropped to its mean minus ten at night. Orion had apparently gone home. Then one morning in the snow, I saw little cat prints from the barn up to our door and back. We started putting out food and water, and changing the water every time it froze.
We kept watch. We saw the orange boy, much thinner, and with a cut on his cheek, from a fight with another creature. Eventually, we got Orion inside.
For more than a year, he was frightened of me, but not of females in the household. He would skitter and run when anyone attempted to hold him or pick him up. In time, we found he had a knot on one of his ribs where it had been broken, and healed badly.
So, we knew his story. He was abused where he used to live. He was kicked, probably frequently by a grown male in the house, and suffered a broken rib. We showed him nothing but kindness from then to now.
How has this sweet creature responded? He obviously has deep affection for his folks. He sleeps with us, usually on the far side of Michelle, nearest to the window. Especially on cold winter mornings, he wants to be first in line for the warming sun of dawn to wash over him, and warm his fur.
He no longer fears being touched or held. Quite the contrary, he will curl up within touching distance of one of his humans. And, when you scratch him under the chin, he will often respond by rolling over on his back, catch your hand with his paw, and encourage you to rub his belly.
Mind you, please don’t tell this to the President of the Cats’ Union. Orion will be drummed out of the Union if word about this leaks out.
The most telling thing that Orion does is a deep, rumbling purr whenever he is generally satisfied, which is most of the time. It is such a loud purr that, unlike most cats, when he is in full fettle his purr can be heard from way across the room.
It took years for Orion to reach that point of being at home and comfortable, so he will curl up close to his humans, invite rubs and scratches, and purr to beat the band. He was doing that this morning while I was reflecting on the political debates that I have watched (that have been inflicted on me recently).
I follow politics closely. As I listen to national politicians speak, I can spot about one bald-faced lie every 30 seconds. Yes, I’m being charitable. There is exactly one of the candidates for President whom I think is telling the truth all of the time. And that makes him all the more frightening, that he actually believes what he is saying. No, I won’t name him. And thanks be to Heaven he will never be elected to any nationwide office.
But this morning as I watched one more spectacular sunrise over the Blue Ridge Mountains, and over Michelle’s shoulder, and over the ears of an orange, purring cat, I thought of the difference between Orion and all those politicians. Orion is honest at all times and in all ways. And every aspect of my relationship with him is based on trust.
Can you say that of any politician you know? I can’t. So, I suggest this standard to use when you are listening to, or reading, any speech by a politician: Is this as honest as a cat’s purr? The answer to that first question will be no. So, you can follow up with mille-cats. Rating a politician at 400 mille-cat means he/she is 40% as honest as a cat.
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About the Author: John Armor practiced in the US Supreme Court for 33 years. John_Armor@aya.yale.edu He lives in the 11th District of North Carolina.
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—that guy is (except for color-he was golden-yellow) about like my 16-year companion that died a year ago today—
This happens just as much with dogs. My older dog is a rescue who was horribly abused, probably by a man. He’s half Weimaraner and half Chocolate lab. Although he relates very affectionately to me, he’s quite cautious about other men. The way Orion gradually became well adjusted and happy is just the way Brother did. The downside is that sleeping with two dogs, one 72 lb. and the other about 82 lb., can leave less than the desired amount of bed.
Cats really do adopt us, don’t they?
Makes me want to cry that somebody kicked his rib in.
Kitty ping!
I have a deaf cat also. He is the coolest solid black cat ever. He loves everyone and is insistent on being with us all the time. We named him DC, short for Deaf Cat.
He also knows some sign language.
We have a tomcat named Aretha.
Let me explain.
The night he was rescued from the side of the road, he was a kitten so small he fit in a coffee cup. Apparently his mother had been killed by a wild predator, and being very frightened, he was meowing—crying really—in these incredibly high notes. We thought he was a she because we knew nothing about feline anatomy and the folks who found him said they knew cats and could tell he was a she. With all that crying/singing going on, I immediately said Aretha, after the Queen of Soul.
Later we found out (when his parts got bigger) . . . nope, Aretha’s a dude.
Too true LOL!
Then add some cats and the bed gets really small!
One other thing about Aretha: he’s very affectionate, and loves to be social. When he sits on your lap (or sleeps on my wife’s belly(!), he purrs like an Evinrude.
He is a most excellent cat. (Sorry ‘bout the name, dude.)
Wonderful story. Thanks!
I have a stray that won’t leave my front porch. I was leaving food out for my 2 when I went to work and apparently he was eating it. He used to run away when he would see me but now it’s just the opposite. I can’t get rid of him.
He’s become very friendly but I don’t want another cat. My older one still can’t get used to the younger one even after they’ve been together 7 years. The second one was abandoned by a neighbor and he is the most loving and affectionate cat I’ve ever had.
We are owned by a few cats, barn cats mostly who work for a living in warm weather, and a house cat. In the winter, the barn boys are invited in for a warm place to sleep and some much needed attention. They have always behaved as gentlemen and resume the role of house cats when the temp goes below 30 F.
Around here, an Orange cat is called a “Red Cat”, and I learned long ago that red cats are a tribe unto themselves. They are distinctive and a bit on the odd side sometimes, but always a fine companion. Heck, the dogs even like them.
Thanks again.
Regards,
AR
Excellent writing.
P-r-r-r-r-r-r-r-
I mean,
Cheers!
The cat, I meant.
This is just *begging* for inclusion in the "glow in the dark kitty" thread...
Cheers!
I used to have a number of cats (only have 2 now), who would sleep with me. They would line the sides of my body on top of the covers. Not so great when you woke up needing to go to the bathroom. They wouldn’t move! Nothing like being pinned to the bed, under the covers when you gotta go...lol
You have nailed it, once again.
Oh?
Your Orion needs to meet my Livingston. Livingston’s a big fat 27-pound purebred Maine Coon, and when he’s happy and gets his purr on, it sounds like there’s a well-tuned 426 Hemi idling in the room. I swear, the cat emits sleep particles. Between the fur and the purr, if that cat decides to jump up on the bed and cuddle, it’s lights out.
}:-)4
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