All things bright and beautiful
All creatures great and small
All things wise and wonderful—
The Lord God made them all.
The Scottish veterinarian, James Herriot, chose these lines from a hymn for the titles of his books that are full of humorous and poignant stories about his life, the animals that he treated, their owners and his colleagues. If you haven’t read them, oh, are you in for a treat, as old Granny would say!
During my lifetime I’ve been involved with a veritable menagerie of critters — dogs, cats, goldfish, a mallard duck named “Ducky Daddles,” a rooster named “Chicory Chick, cha-la, cha-la” after a popular song, turtles, a rabbit named Thumper, parakeets, a canary, guinea pigs, and a semi-tame squirrel and blue jays that beg for peanuts.
Knightstown’s beloved teacher, Jessie Nay Wagoner, asked her first-graders, “What’s the most beautiful thing you’ve ever seen?” One little boy responded, “Five pups with spots on ‘em!” I like dogs well enough, but I prefer cats.
”A home without a cat — and a well-fed, well-petted and properly revered cat — may be a perfect home, perhaps, but how can it prove title?
— Mark Twain, Pudd’nhead Wilson
“Weeeeeeeeeeee33333ppp]]][[” writes my co-author who thoroughly agrees with Twain’s sentiments. As I ssssstype, she’s sitting on my lap, purring like a motor boat and trying to walk on the keyboard — jkkkkkkkkkk — because the cursor fascinates her. I hissed at her, so now she’s sitting very erect, watching the screen. I’m going to have to banish her from the office while I write. As I’ve said before, writing is a solitary craft, and she distracts me with her beguiling ways, little love-chirps, loud purring, cheek rubs, and butts with her head.
Bill gave her to me fppppor Christmas, and I got her a couple of weeks aaago. She’s five months old, extremely active and curious. She races through the house with her tail held perpendicular to her body and jumps and performs midair flips worthy of an Olympic gymnast. Then, exhausted, she takes a nap — thank goodness!
I set out to find a tortoise-shell tabby like the one Vicki once had. Instead, I’ve adopted a scattered calico with pale orange and shades of gray markings, white paws and a white belly.
I’ve named her Ms Kalico Kitty. She felt that “Miss Calico Kitty” was common and insisted on the “K” and “Ms” as she is a liberated cat. Actually, she wants to be called “Your Royal Highness.” Her real name will likely be “Herekittykitty, Herekittykitty.” That’s a ridiculous thought! Everyone knows that cats rarely perform on demand like their canine counterparts.
We’re involved in a serious quarrel for dominance and ownership of our house. We don’t want her on the furniture, not believing that animals are human beings. For some reason, she has chosen for her throne a velvet easy chair that we bought the first year we were married. We’ve yelled at her, loudly clapped our hands, and Bill has covered the chair with paper to no avail. I am determined to dethrone this princess!
Every human child should have the affection and care that she receives. Bill has bought a variety of little cans of cat food to tempt her with to supplement her dry food and plays footsie with her. I am the warm lap and the chambermaid who cleans her privy. I hear her crying outside the office door. It’s hard to deny her when here she greets me every morning with loud vocalizations and tears around the house, expressing her joy. Also, there is no greater comfort on a cold winter’s evening than to have a cat purring cozily on one’s lap.
More later about cats, canines and other critters. I love to receive stories and comments from my readers. It makes me feel more connected to the outside world. If you have any animal stories, do send them, or you can call me at (317) 356-8692. wclarke@comcast.net
