Fur People In Our Life

For those of you who are owned by cats (they really prefer to be called "fur persons") Fr. Frog would like to introduce the feline denizens of his swamp. Each one has a distinctive personality, and each brings a special love and joy to our life. Our cats are all computer literate (they really know what a mouse is for) and will respond to email messages directed to Fr. Frog by clicking here. (They don't have their own computer--yet.) 

A Short Rant

Nothing upsets me more than people who have pets and then are to busy or too lazy to care for them properly.  (Actually the same rant applies to having children too.)  If you cannot make the commitment of time and love, don't have pets (or children).  They deserve better.

In Memoriam

Pepper (Pepsicat) c 1990 - 2008

Pepper was an almost 18 year-old, 12 pound fixed "Black Tortie" female. She wandered in to our life and house when we lived in New Jersey and never left. She had obviously been mistreated and did not like to be held for any period of time. She was very afraid of plastic bags and would hide whenever she heard a bag rustled. She was otherwise a very happy and playful cat whose claim to fame was that she not only purred very loudly--you could hear her plainly across the room or down the hall--but she also purred backwards (on the exhale) with her mouth open, and she purr almost constantly when around us. She had a gorgeous shiny and silky, mink like, multicolored coat and enjoyed being brushed, especially the sides of her face) for as long as you could do it.  (I sometimes wondered if she was going to brush her face right off as she pressed very hard against the brush.)  She loved to eat shreds of Cheddar or Jack cheese. She also liked to collect "sparklies" (small shiny objects such as screws, thumb tacks, earrings, and such) which she hids in piles around the house. She and Smuggy liked to chase each other around the house. Pepper loved the "laser pointer" and went absolutely crazy chasing its red light spot around the floor. She was also very fond of both Spice and Butter  She'd curl up with Butter and would wash him every chance she got. After being with us for 17 years she leaves a big empty quiet spot in our lives.

Butterscotch (Budbuds) c 1994 - 2001

Butter was a 6+ year-old muted orange, 13 pound tabby who wandered into our yard and perched himself on our window sill one cold and rainy day until we brought him into our home and our lives. He was an extremely affectionate cat who wanted to be right next to you whenever he was around and he became Frogette's constant companion. His constant following her around earned him the nickname of "puppycat."  He had an odd habit of rocking back and forth while sitting in a manner similar to those praying before the Wailing Wall in Jerusalem. Like Pepper, he had a defective purr motor. He didn't actually purr, but made squeaking sounds. He was the gentlest of all the cats we have been privileged to share our lives with and he never bit scratched, or hissed at anyone.  He taught us a lot about love and the presence of angels in our lives, and brought us much joy and comfort in both happy and sad times.  His passing has left a very large hole in our lives and we still think about him and miss him greatly seven years after his death.  You have done us honor by being part of our lives--rest in peace thou good and faithful companion.  In his memory I wrote a short homily which I gave at my parish's St. Francis Day observance in 2002, and which may bring you some comfort if you have recently lost a pet.  Click here to read it.

Dog The Magnificent (Doggers) c. 1980 - 1999

Dog? What a name for a cat! Dog was the 19-year-old(!) cat who lived in the Free State of Florida along with his loyal subjects Ghost and Rizza who doted on him. He was an extremely friendly and gregarious orange and white male tabby who was an very active talker. He liked to carry on conversations with humans!  If a human did not respond to his attempts to engage in conversation Dog would get their attention by vigorously pawing at them. He also had a habit checking to see if you know he was there when he slept with you at night. Several times a night he would come up and gently pat you on your nose with his paw until you acknowledge his royal presence. Dog's secret goal in life was to invite Ricky the parrot to be the guest of honor at lunch since Ricky tormented him by calling, "Here, kitty kitty." (Surprisingly they ignored each other when Ricky walked around on the floor.) He is greatly missed by all his friends.

Spice (Spibee or Thunder Tums) c. 1987 - 1999

Spice was a 12-year-old orange long-hair male Tabby (probably Maine Coon in his lineage)  with half a tail. When we found him his tail had been injured and it had to be bobbed to about half its normal length. He apparently thought that he could regrow his tail by consuming vast quantities of food and at almost 23 pounds he was arguably the king of the hill. He was a great talker and he liked to lie on his back with his feet in the air, no doubt to ease the back strain of carrying all that weight. He also enjoyed being vacuumed and would throw himself in front of the vacuum cleaner to get his fur fluffed up. He also enjoyed sitting in his cage in the back yard on nice days while we worked outside. He loved to sit on Fr. Frog's lap purring contently and watch TV with him at nights. He was a good, gentle, and faithful companion and he is greatly missed by all who knew him.

Snickerdoodle (Snicker) c.1986 - 1996

Snickerdoodle was Fr. Frog and Frogette's first cat. He was an affectionate male English tabby with a deep orange coat who loved to lie in the sun or on the chest of anyone lying on their backs. He also loved to have his nose rubbed, and also the occasional hit on the catnip bag. As with all of our cats he was an indoor-only cat whose goal in life, unfortunately, was to escape to the outside world and run about, eating all the grass he could. To further this end, he developed incredible skill in sneaking out and was capable of outsmarting the most careful and attentive person. Unfortunately, Snicker snuck out once too often and was killed by a car at the age of 10. Snicker, we miss ya! Rest in peace, good buddy.

Zeke (Zeeker) c.1980 -1995

Zeke was our friend Paul's cat. He was a 15 year old gray tabby with white boots who was Paul's constant companion and who use to supervise Paul's woodworking activities in his shop. He was very friendly and one of his favorite activities was to play "hide the kitty" where he would delight in hiding under a throw rug while we tried to "find" him. He is greatly missed.

The Current Fur People

 Schmitty (Schmitmeister)

Schmitty is a 16-year-old, 15 pound gray and white male. He was found as a newborn kitten by our son, who found a box containing three kittens abandoned in the woods near our home. He found homes for two of them and brought Schmitty to live with us. Schmitty is an overly affectionate but skitterish cat who loves to sleep RIGHT NEXT to you (especially when there is a sun puddle around) or on your lap if you sit in his favorite chair and he enjoys sitting in the window watching the birds. He is absolutely crazy about McDonald's French fries and will rip open a bag to get to them. He also likes ice cream of any flavor. His favorite games are to jump on the sheets when you make the bed and attack the evil "mattress monster," and  to attack the bubbles in our water cooler. He also likes to take his "strawberry" catnip stuffed toy on trips around the house. When he tires of carrying the strawberry he hides it under a cart in the kitchen. He enjoys having a little bowl of half-and-half in the morning while Fr. Frog enjoys his coffee.  He recently acquired a taste for yougurt of any flavor and he'd eat a whole container if he was allowed to.  He also has a fondness for Ready-Whip aerosol whipped cream. He too, enjoys being brushed and he gets very jealous if you brush one of our other cats.

Beth (Beepers, a.k.a. The Queen Mum)

Beth is a 17+-year-old dark gray, 10 pound gray and white fixed female with a very thick coat. She lived for many years with our daughter in NJ, but she recently "retired" to Fr. Frog's Kitty Casa retirement home for furpeople, here in AZ.. She is a shy and very gentle cat and suffers from dysplasia and arthritis in her hips and is now quite deaf.  When she was little she had a very a squeaky kind of meow--hence her nickname "Beepers." However, in her mature years she has become VERY vocal and loud when she talks.  She is still sorting things out here in her new home and she has taken over our office as her place.  She tolerates Schmitty (who I think she remembers) but was not too happy about Pepper, nor about Smuggy.  Having come from an apartment she enjoys sitting in our windows watching all the birds and other critters, or laying on the floor in a sun puddle as she likes things warm.  She LOVES French fries, popcorn, and a little dish of half & half or whipped cream in the evening, as well as getting brushed.  She recently suffered from what our vet said was a mini-stroke and her back end wobbles when she walks, and she sometimes tracks a bit sideways with her rear end, but it has not slowed her down and she will still chase Smuggy down the hall.

Smuggler (Smuggy)

Smuggy is a 14-year-old "energetic" orange (do you see a trend here) 11 pound fixed male who was adopted by our son in 1996 while we were away vacationing in Arizona (in spite of a non-acquisition policy).  He is a very long thin cat with a long white tipped tail and he is spotted on his body like a Mau instead of striped like our other orange cats. He is very curious and will taste any food he can get his mouth on and seems to like an occasional stuffed green olives.  He has a some-what finicky stomach and has developed an extreme craving for shrimp (people type, not cat food). He and Pepper became buddies of sort and spent endless hours chasing each other around the house trying to set a new closed course land speed record for domestic cats.  However, he and Schmitty are still sorting out their pecking order vying for C-in-C (Cat in Charge) status. He is deathly afraid of Beth for some reason and she takes advantage of that fact.  He has lately become very protective of Fr. Frog and follows him everywhere like a shadow, and makes a kind of "chirping" meow when he feel he is not being paid attention to. One of his traits is to give "nose kisses" to those he favors. He has many of the mannerisms of our old cat Snickerdooddle which is some times very spooky and since Butter died he likes to have his tummy gently rubbed, something that would previously have resulted in the loss of your fingers.  Because he is long and thin he likes things warm and he will frequently crawl up under the bed spread of a made up bed to stay toasty.  He has a strong urge to get out of the house and will try and sneak out every chance he gets (not a good idea in coyote country).  To calm him down we started taking him for walks around our property on a leash!  Surprisingly, he took to the leash very well and will walk alongside you like a dog and sit when you stop.  When he wants to go for a walk he'll either pull his leash down off of the bench or hop up on the bench and yowl.  He misses Pepper very much and constantly looks for in all her old spots, cries when he can/t find her.

Ages referenced to September, 2008

Family Friends

Pumpkin

 Pumpkin is an orange, 6-year-old curious female Maine Coon cat, who resides with our "adopted" granddaughter and her mom.  She has a beautiful coat, but her claim to fame is a gorgeous long and fluffy tail that is almost as long as her body.  She is somewhat shy, but once she feels safe with you she will follow you around, talking to you and demanding attention, and supervising whatever you are doing.  She likes to hide under their couch but forgets that her tail sticks out and then gets annoyed when you "find" her.

We recently found this page from one our cat's daily planners. How do they manage such a hectic schedule?

I think we're in big trouble. A friend found his cat's diary and sent me the following excerpts. I'd keep an eye on them if I were him.

Lest anyone think that cats are not literate I submit the following. This verse been seen titled, Hamlet's Cat's Soliloquy from HAMLET'S CAT...by William Shakespeare's Cat.

The End of the Raven by Edgar Allan Poe's Cat  from POETRY FOR CATS by Henry Beard

On a night quite unenchanting, when the rain was downward slanting,  I awakened to the ranting of the man I catch mice for.  Tipsy and a bit unshaven, in a tone I found quite craven,  Poe was talking to a Raven perched above the chamber door.  "Raven's very tasty," thought I, as I tiptoed o'er the floor,  "There is nothing I like more." Soft upon the rug I treaded, calm and careful as I headed  Toward his roost atop that dreaded bust of Pallas I deplore.  While the bard and birdie chattered, I made sure that nothing clattered, or snapped, or fell, or shattered, as I crossed the corridor;  For his house is crammed with trinkets, curios and weird decor--  Bric-a-brac and junk galore. Still the Raven never fluttered, standing stock-still as he uttered,  In a voice that shrieked and sputtered, his two cents' worth-- Nevermore."   While this dirge the birdbrain kept up, oh, so silently I crept up,  Then I crouched and quickly leapt up, pouncing on the feathered bore.  Soon he was a heap of plumage, and a little blood and gore--  Only this and not much more. "Oooo!" my pickled poet cried out, "Pussycat, it's time I dried out!  Never sat I in my hideout talking to a bird before;  How I've wallowed in self-pity, while my gallant, valiant kitty  Put an end to that damned ditty"--then I heard him start to snore,  Back atop the door I clambered, eyed that statue I abhor,  Jumped--and smashed it on the floor.

 

Cat Facts

• A frightened cat can run at speeds of up to 31 mph, slightly faster than a human sprinter.
• A cat cannot see directly under its nose. This is why the cat cannot seem to find tidbits on the floor.
• Cats lack a true collarbone. Because of this, cats can generally squeeze their bodies through any space they can get their heads through. You may have seen a cat testing the size of an opening by careful measurement with the head.
• To drink, a cat laps liquid from the underside of its tongue, rather than the top.
• A cat will almost never meow at another cat. Cats use this sound for humans. Between cats they make a yowling sound
• Cats must have fat in their diet, because they can't produce it on their own. Never feed your cat dog food, because cats need five times more protein than dogs do.
• Human painkillers such as aspirin and acetaminophen (Tylenol) are toxic to cats in the usual doses, although aspirin can be used for stroke therapy Chocolate is also generally poisonous to cats. Beware!
• A cat can jump five times as high as it is tall.
• A cat's ear pivots 180 degrees.
• The giraffe, camel, and cat are the only animals that walk by both their left feet, then both their right feet when walking.
• Cats average 16 hours of sleep a day, more than any other mammal.
• A cat will spend nearly 30% of its waking hours grooming itself.
• The domestic cat is the only cat species able to hold its tail vertically while walking. All wild cats hold their tails horizontally or tucked between their legs while walking. A tail held high means happiness; a twitching tail is a warning sign; and a tucked tail is a sign of insecurity.
• In relation to their body size, cats have the largest eyes of any mammal.
• Cats can see up to 120 feet away. Their peripheral vision is about 285 degrees.
• The oldest known domestic cat is reported to have been 35-37 years old.

Cat Quotes

"Do not meddle in the affairs of cats, for they are subtle and will piss on your computer." -- Bruce Graham

"There is no snooze button on a cat who wants breakfast." -- Unknown

"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

"Thousands of years ago, cats were worshipped as gods. Cats have never  forgotten this." -- Anonymous

"Cats are smarter than dogs. You can't get eight cats to pull a sled through the snow." -- Jeff Valdez

"In a cat's eye, all things belong to cats." -- English proverb

"As every cat owner knows, nobody owns a cat." -- Ellen Perry Berkeley

"One cat just leads to another." -- Ernest Hemmingway

"Dogs come when they're called; cats take a message and get back to you later." -- Mary Bly

"Cats are rather delicate creatures and they are subject to a good many ailments, but I never heard of one who suffered from insomnia." -- Joseph Wood Krutch

"People that hate cats, will come back as mice in their next life." -- Faith Resnick

"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

"There are many intelligent species in the universe. They are all owned by cats." -- Anonymous

"I have studied many philosophers and many cats. The wisdom of cats is infinitely superior." -- Hippolyte Taine

"No heaven will not ever Heaven be; Unless my cats are there to welcome me." -- Unknown

"There are two means of refuge from the miseries of life music and cats." -- Albert Schweitzer

"The cat has too much spirit to have no heart." -- Ernest Menaul

"Dogs believe they are human. Cats believe they are God."

"Time spent with cats is never wasted." -- Colette

"Some people say that cats are sneaky, evil, and cruel. True, and they have many other fine qualities as well." -- Missy Dizick

"You will always be lucky if you know how to make friends with strange cats." -- Colonial American proverb

"Cats seem to go on the principle that it never does any harm to ask for what you want." -- Joseph Wood Krutch

"When I play with my cat, who knows whether she isn't amusing herself with me more than I am with her?" -- Michael de Montaigue

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Updated 2008-08-30