In the introduction of my furry family members we are now to the last of the clowder – Mr. Red. His full name is Puss Red but like his brother he prefers his last name. He may be the last feline covered but not the least by any means. He’s physically the largest now. Like many of us as we age the spread sits in… he was once a lean lanky Tom for most of his prime but as chronic kidney insufficiency set in so did the spread. He’s now a hefty kitty. I just say he’s a lotta kitty lovin’! Also I’ve taken to shouting thunder, Thunder, THUNDER-BUTT HO! as he runs down the stairs. Our personal tribute to Lion-O and the Thundercats . Mike likes to use the Donkey line from Shrek 3 “Whoa that’s a whole lotta kitty! Can we keep ‘im?” Either way Red has a big butt we can’t deny!
He’s always been the outgoing but insecure one. Kinda reminds me of the characters that swagger once safety has been established by the real heroes. Except they are lovable and well meaning chickens that long to be macho. That’s my Red. He ‘s not the gentletom his brother is because he tries so darn hard and is so anxious to be the ONE! He wants to but dang it’s scary. As a result of this personality he often gets into trouble – he does naughty things to get attention. If there’s a crash in another room I guarn-damn-tee-ya it’ll be red walking out with tail high looking all surprised. What? Did you hear that? What happened? I was being good in that room and suddenly A CRASH!
Also he’s always had a disposition to eat anything. That’s why his nickname is Mr. I-Eat-IT! He has a penchant for chewing through earbud wires and crunching up the buds. We have to keep those safely tucked away in drawers, pockets, purses, or brief cases when not in use. He’s actually had dental surgery due to this quirk. He cracked a tooth and wedged a piece of black plastic in the crack when crunching up a bud. A few hundred dollars later we had a drunk kitty with a still partially numb mouth staggering into the kitchen trying to steal gushy doggie food. The problem that had him yowl in frustration was the dang food wouldn’t stay in his numbed mouth! Rappy just said “Ew all my gushy food has cat slobber on it!”
For all his faults and quirks Red is a lover just like his brother. He loved to cuddle, purr, and be petted. He’s not a lap cat as much as a next to you cat. Which is okay given the thunderbutt status. Except here you know quirky tom has to have his own twist to this – he wants to lick your hands and face like a dog. I kid you not he’s a not a kitty kisser with head butts like most cats – he’s licker kisser. Sure it feel strange with that rough tongue and I try to discourage it or let it be my fingers. However, fall asleep and your nose is his for the kissing. You’ve not startled awake until you’ve had a sandpaper tongue dragged across your nose!
Also he’s the only cat I’ve ever know with a diagnosed mental illness. He took to tearing all his hair out on his belly. Took him to the vet and had all kind of tests run – finally nothing physically wrong. We began to see that he did it when a family member was gone for a few nights. It was his new stress reaction! As the vet said “He’s either psychotic, neurotic, or demented. Without being able to question him I can’t tell you which it is.” The answer is mild sedation if it gets bad. We chose to just love love him through it as long as it was cosmetic fur damage and now harming his own skin. When someone is gone we take special time to reassure Red he’s loved and safe. Still even then when I was gone a week he de-pants-ed himself. So we have to watch him and do lots of reassuring.
Sure Red is a bit odd and needs some extra care but he’s a sweetheart. He tries to do his best and live a fun life but he’s such a fretter. I do adore him and his antics. He’s always sweet just trying to please you and be the alpha tom his gentlemanly brother is. I just wish he could understand I love him as he is (except maybe minus the earbud munching but I’ll take it if it has to come with him). He’s worth putting earbuds in drawers, doing daily pill sessions, take extra time to reassure him he’s okay & loved. His antics and cuddles make it all worth him being my kitty boy with more kitty for the lovin’!
Until next time!
Mary Louise Eklund 