Aristocat Living

Lady Carmel hates to bring up unpleasant subjects but it must be discussed. Fleas and ticks are horrible pests and can make an aristocats life miserable. The itching and scratching makes one look so common.

When I was a kitten living in Acorn Manor we were never bothered by insects.  My mother and father, in their wisdom, simply banished them from the kingdom. It was such a sensible idea that I proclaimed a similar edict at Quaint Cottage.

Unfortunately, some of these rebellious subjects refused to comply and stayed in the garden and woods behind the residence.

I personally have never been infected by fleas. They wouldn’t dare violate the Royal  Presence and actually bite me.  Besides, my personal Veterinarian says my Royal skin emits an essence that repels them.

But for those of you not lucky enough to be in my position, Andi’s friends at the Accentuate Writer’s Forum have the following advice.

http://www.accentuateservices.com/xmb/viewthread.php?tid=3439&page=1#pid39698

Now ticks are another matter. They do dare to attack me from time to time when I go out hunting. (A post for another day)

Andi uses Frontline  on my fur and it works pretty well although I detest the smell of it. If one of those dreadful creatures does latch on, Andi or Gus pull it out with tweezers. They make sure to get the whole head out.

Well that’s as much unpleasantness as I can deal with in one post. I need a good grooming after this discussion.. Ta-ta

Here is another example of how aristocats and mundanes are similar. We have all known loss. I have spoken before about losing my parents when I came to live with Andi and Gus. I was very young and quite frightened. I didn’t know what was happening but I had my beloved brother, Cougar with me.

Cougar was a magnificant, orange Maine Coon male. When he reached his prime, he weighed 20 pounds. It was all muscle and fur. His tail was a sight to behold. It was thick, long and graceful. In spite of being quite large, he was the most gentle of animals.

As you are undoubtedly aware, gentle Reader, Maine Coon cats trill for each other. It is a pleasant sound and helps us locate one another. Cougar’s trill sounded like Merrrr in English. It was his distinct call and I can still hear it today.

We lost him when he was only five years old. I was devastated. The rest of the family cried and cried but eventually went on with life. I was not so fortunate. I had never spent a day without my  brother and companion. The stress was too much for me and I began to shed fur, lose weight and mournfully cry throughout the house.

Andi tried to make me feel better by spending extra time with me, but it didn’t really help.

Although cats aren’t frangible, she talked to me about getting another cat.

“It might be fun to have a kitten around the house,” she told me.

We began looking at ads for rescue cats and that is when she found Miguel. (See previous post)

When they brought home that little bundle of black and white fur, I resisted feeling anything towards him. After all, I didn’t want to be disloyal to my brother. Andi explained that the heart can expand endlessly  when it comes to  love. Cougar was gone but we would always love him and treasure the memories of his short life.

Miguel would represent a new beginning and we should open up our hearts to him. And so I did. He is a very loving, gentle and affectionate cat and I have grown to love him. He hasn’t replaced Cougar. rather, he is another soul who has come into my life for the benefit of us both.

RIP Cougar Boy

Welcome back, kind Readers. I’ve been watching television lately,  a show called, Grey’s Anatomy. Although there aren’t any cats involved, it is a good show. Two of the main characters have declared each other their person. Apparently that involves being there physically and emotionally for the designated soul.

At last, I thought, people who understand the concept and importance of being one’s person.

My person is named Andi Caldwell. I first met Andi when she and her husband, Augustus (just Gus) came to Acorn Manor. I was twelve weeks old and the couple was taking my brother, Cougar  and I  to live with them in another part of the state. My brother showed much courage, but I was very sad to be leaving my parents and other siblings, not to mention the only home I’d ever known.

Andi and Gus were so kind. They provided soft bedding, good food and endless patience as we made our adjustment.  Cougar bonded with Samantha, the couple’s older child. He preferred her company to all others and frequently slept in her room.

I prefer Andi. She is always there for me. Here is a partial list of her duties:

Feeding, watering, grooming, brushing, clipping, letting me in, letting me out, cuddling, petting, taking out eye crust, putting on television, sitting down so I can crawl into her lap,  spreading a blanket for me to curl up on, making a fire in the wood-burning stove, telling me how beautiful I am, talking sweetly to me, getting up when I need something, etc, etc, etc.

When we got Miguel, (see last post), he preferred Andi and Gus’ younger daughter, Jocelyn. She dotes on him and he loves her in return.

So Christina and Meredith, know you are joining  aristocratic living by having a person to call your own.

See you tomorrow…

Hello and welcome. This evening I wish to discuss a very important matter -the profound number of homeless, unwanted, abandoned and stray cats. You may think that one of my aristocratic breeding would have no compassion for those felines less fortunate than myself, but you would be so wrong in that assumption.

Did you know:

More than 12 million dogs and cats are euthanized in shelters each year. Millions more are abandoned in rural and urban areas.

Approximately 75% of all cats entering shelters are killed.

I shudder to think of it.

So, what should you do?

Rescue a cat today and bring him/her home. Provide a loving, safe environment and, above all else, spay or neuter that cat immediately.

Now, I can hear you saying, well what about you, Lady Carmel? Why don’t you rescue a cat?

I have. I directed my Executive Secretary, Andi, to go to the nearest center and bring home a little darling. She went to

The Animal Center
in Newtown, Connecticut and found, Miguel.

Miguel is an adorable tuxedo cat of uncertain parentage. He was abandoned and rescued by Monica, the Director of the program. This center runs foster homes where unwanted animals are cared for until they find a family.

When Miguel was brought to our cottage, he was about ten weeks old. Although he hasn’t a drop of aristocratic blood, he quickly won over our hearts.

Soon he was eating and exercising regularly, curling up next to the hearth and contentedly purring like a motorboat.

He only speaks cat and Spanish, but is a quick learner. Soon I shall have him spouting Literature like a pro.

So, my dear friends, remember the plight of the homeless, unfortunate ones and open your hearts and homes. You’ll be glad you did.

See you tomorrow.

Hello out there. Allow me to introduce myself. I am Her Most Royal Highness, The Lady Carmel of Berting. I was born in the royal manor house, Acorn, in Redding, Connecticut to the House of Berting. My parents were both Maine Coon champions of ancient lineage.

I currently live in a quaint cottage in another part of the state. My staff consists of a most attentive, middle aged couple, who see to my every need. I also have some under staff members who help out at Holidays.

I was given a first rate education. In addition to Cat, I also speak, French, Spanish, Hebrew, Polish and Latin. I read several daily newspapers, both domestic and international. I am well-versed in Literature, History, Chemistry, Art, Economics, and Politics. I intend to use this forum to discuss issues of great merit.

I am most pleased to meet you and I hope you will visit often. I wish to create a salon like the days of old, where the best minds of the day exchanged views.

My staff has laid a most excellent fire in the hearth and has made tea and biscuits for you to enjoy. So, Let’s get to it…