Oct 16 2011
CATS IN DA ‘HOOD
Greetings, Cool Peeps:
Last week, I was chillaxin’ from my crazy life, lying on my couch with my furry boy, Captain Jack, and wondering aloud what my next blog would be about. That’s when Jack looked up at me, nuzzled his face against mine, and firmly put his paw down on my hand. Then, looking at me with his big brown eyes, he said, “Mom, it’s about time you stop writing about people and cover the feline action in the ‘hood.”
“Say what, Jack?” I asked.
Jack stretched his front legs and indulged in a slow yawn. When he was ready to resume the conversation, he looked right at me and let out a series of meows. Translation: “There are some cool cats in Swansea who deserve recognition. I challenge you to go around town and meet as many of them as you can. Ask a few questions and then give them a little shout-out. Just be careful—there are a few out there who might be suspicious of your motives. You can do it, Mom. I know you can.”
Cool peeps, believe it or not, Jack had never given me such a challenge before.
Word got around quickly that I was doing a feature about cats. I’d never seen so many cats in windows before, waiting, watching my every move. As you probably know, reporters don’t usually interview cats. So right away, my motives were suspect.
When I passed the home of a coworker, Ana, I noticed that her brown and white tabby was intently watching me from her window perch. I decided to make up a reason to gain inside access and then interview Ana’s cat, Van Goghgo, on the sly. As you can see, Van Goghgo did not want to talk.
As I left Ana’s, pounding the pavement in search for my first feline interview, I encountered Slick, but he was not up for dishing the dirt with me. “Just keep on walking,” he meowed, shooting invisible darts at me with his eyes.
Next, I ran across Taxi. When I asked him if he minded answering a few questions, he just gave me that, you-talkin’-to-me look and kept staring.
I was defeated. I then ran into Taxi’s cousin, Cab Calloway, but he wouldn’t even look at me. He just stared straight ahead.
When Graystone saw me, his tail began to puff out, and as a cat mama, I know what that means. No luck.
Jack had told me that Lope Sly was a great conversationalist and would be sure to grant me an interview. But she was snoozing on the sidewalk, and after waiting ten minutes for her to wake up, I gave up and moved on.
The next cat I encountered was Adonis.
“I hope this is for the cover of CQ,” he said, posing. “I know you wouldn’t waste my time on anything less.”
“Oh, no, of course not,” I said, cowering.
“You have cleared this interview with my agent, yes?” he said.
“Your agent?”
“Yes, my agent! Look at this face. You don’t think I talk to just anyone, do you?”
“Uh, no,” I said. “Where do I find your agent?”
“Down the street,” he said. “He usually hangs out by the garden hose. Tux is the name.”
Sure enough, I found Tux exactly where Adonis had told me he would be.
“You bring the chow?” Tux said.
“Uh, no,” I replied feebly.
“No interview,” Tux said.
As Jack is an orange cat, I thought that maybe I’d have better luck with his cousins. As I made my way onto the next block, I saw Tango. “Hi, I’m Molly Hacker,” I said. “I’m a reporter for the Swansea Herald. Mind if I ask you a few questions about being a cat?”
“Who me?” Tango asked. “Do I look like I talk to reporters?”
“I guess not,” I said, backing away.
On yet another block, I found more orange cats. But as you can see, they didn’t exactly embrace my arrival. Or in some cases … even notice me.
When I saw two black cats, I thought perhaps they would explain their place in folklore to me, but again, no luck.
Finally, I met Sarita, a very pretty gray girl. She was quite friendly and commiserated with me when I told her I was having trouble getting the cool cats to talk. “It’s hard to explain,” she said. “But cats are very picky. We don’t deal with just anyone.”
I told her that I understood in ways she could not imagine, and thanked her for her time.
On I walked. More defiant stares.
After a grueling day, I met Prissy.
She looked positively livid that I wanted to interview her. In desperation, I explained that my own boy, Captain Jack, had suggested the interview as a way to feature the cool cats in the ‘hood.
Prissy relented a bit, and told me to take it up with her “committee,” Stag and Rag.
Stag and Rag just looked at me. When I finally was able to plead my case, they discussed amongst themselves. I was told that the ultimate king of the neighborhood, Zorro, would make the final decision. If Zorro said it was okay, every cat would talk to me.
It took me a while to find Zorro. I gave him my spiel. He just looked at me and said, “Are you freakin’ kidding me?”
So, tell me, do the cats in your life talk to you? What do they say? Do they send you on “wild cat chases” like Jack sent me on? Have you ever stopped to chat with the cats in your ‘hood?
See you next week.
Yours in pickiness,
Molly
Hey there Molly,
Being allergic to cats has brought distance between us sadly and over the years my understanding of them has been limited. The K9 variety have been a major part of my life. But I have to say since being on social media, many of my friends have cats and their posts and videos have enlightened me to the cat world and the many personalities they have. I so wish I wasn’t allergic to them as I am a very big animal lover.
Thank you for all the curious photos. Love ’em 😀
Hey Lisa:
It’s really terrible being allergic to cats or dogs. I knew a woman with multiple cats who told me that she had once had severe allergies. I asked her how she went from being allergic to having multiple cats. She said that she just loved them so much she got the cats and her body lost the allergy. I guess that doesn’t work for everyone, though.
They are wonderful creatures, for sure. I’m glad you have dogs in your life, though. If I could, I would have a house full of animals. Maybe one day . . .
Yours in pickiness,
Molly
Hi Molly. I like cats, and loved my own. I just can’t have one because I live in the woods, and they’re considered part of the food chain with the wild life. What many people don’t realise, is if you ignore a cat, Then it will usually come to you. I have a friend with several cats, always lounging around her kitchen. The more I try to distance myself from them, the more they’re all over me. It’s not that I don’t like them, but I don’t really need them in my food, or leaping on to my neck. Anyways, I read somewhere, that this is a cat fact. Look at them, pay attention to them, and they’ll stay away from you. Reverse psychology.
Hey Paula:
Thanks so much for stopping by. Lots of people do say that if you ignore a cat, they will come to you. Oddly, I have never really noticed that. My cat, Jack, is a great observer of people and a great judge. He’s often sussed out “bad guys” before I have.
=^..^=
Yours in pickiness,
Molly
Wow, Molly, you sure do have some determination! The photos are amazing and I’m sure every reader who is a “cat person” can name a dozen emotions and stories that your photos bring to mind!
Thanks for a terrific blog about one of my favorite creatures. 🙂
Hey Leigh Ann:
I am very determined, as you know. Hard to believe I talked to so many cats, just to be freakin’ rejected. Maybe I’ll try again sometime after my bruised ego heals. So glad you enjoyed this week’s blog.
YIP,
Molly
Molly,
You work this week really started my week with a smile. Every adorable kitty in this blog has personality and character all of their own. I am missing my Kitties Garfield and Odie R.I.P my furry pets.
I am an animal lover , cats, dogs, birds, bunnies….oh the list goes on
Sheri
Hey Sher:
So glad you enjoyed the blog. Yes, personality is KEY with these beautiful creatures. If ONLY they had granted me an interview — I think I might have had a journalistic first! Always makes me smile to see you here.
YIP,
Molly
Hi Molly,
Thank you, for a wonderful blog this week featuring many fine looking cats. I strongly believe, humans that love all animals are the nicest of people in life. People who share their home, food, and time with pets, are more likely to help out a friend.
Best, Stuart 🙂
Hey Molly –
That’s quite a lovely bunch of felines you found on your travels. I’m sorry they weren’t more cooperative, but perhaps Captain Jack forgot to give you the secret pawshake and password.
Heidi
Hey Heidi:
Nice to meet you! You know, I think you’re right! Secret pawshake and password! Why didn’t I think of that?
Yours in pickiness,
Molly
Awesome, I love cats and they love me. Trouble is I’m so allergic to them, I nearly died once so I observe them from a safe, very safe distance.
You’ve got some lovelies there 🙂
Loved it, best wishes
Elle
Hey Elle:
Oh, my! Too many allergic peeps! Well, at least you’re able to admire from a distance, but yes, a VERY safe distance.
Thanks for stopping by!
Yours in pickiness,
Molly
What a great bunch of moggie shots. I love cats but don’t have one because I live in the bush and it would eat all the lovely little native birds we have around. Added to that, hubby is just a smidgen allergic.
Hi Molly. Thanks for your wonderful efforts. I personally thought you found a pretty good group of cool cats.
Like Paula Paquette, we live in the woods, by the Altamaha River, and for the same reasons, we can’t have cats. But we do have dogs. All of them have adopted us, coming from various troubled backgrounds. Our dogs enjoyed your photo array and asked me to post an invitation for them to come for dinner some time. I tried to explain that those were kind of haughty cats and probably wouldn’t want to travel out here to the country. Besides, they didn’t look as hungry as our kids.
They seemed diasappointed, but said to pass along their best wishes.
Signed: Altamaha “Tammy” Riverdog, Jack, Pita, RePita, Sasha, and Trouble.
As usual an interesting read, Molly! The pictures of the cats are really great, showcasing how moody they can truly be. But also how adorable! Yes, I’ll admit that although I’m allergic to them (like many commenting here), I do think they’re great! Keep up the excellent journalism!
i love your article. the beautiful pictures of cats. i have 7 at this time. i am an animal communicator and my cats and other animals talk to me as well.
Thank you so much! I really happy that you enjoyed my blog! You’re freakin’ awesome with seven cats! I’ll visit your website. Communicating with animals is infinitely fascinating to me!
Thanks for stopping by!