Kats & Kits: October 2007

Seven years ago I was asked to trap a stray tom cat that was terrorizing the local domestic cats, he was a large black mature tom and when I got the phone call to say he was in the trap it was with some trepidation that I went to collect him. What I saw was a big black face looking completely bewildered and very frightened. I put my hand into the cage and he put his head into it and from that day I forgave Bob everything, and sometimes there was plenty to forgive.

He went straight to the vet for neutering and then came to live with us at Ks&Ks. It was quickly apparent that we were going to have some difficulty in finding him a home, he did occasionally bite, and rather frequently marked his territory both inside and out, which rather masked the affectionate side of his nature and did not endear him to prospective owners. So of course he stayed which made us happy and him as well I think.

We all loved him and had excuses for all his bad habits, old back injury, insecurity were two I remember, really he was a cat with attitude! He prowled about Ks&Ks followed by his harem of girls and his sidekick Max who he would box round the ears when he had had enough of his adoration. He was a big cat with a strange black speckled coat, so he was no pin up but that didn’t matter to us, we just loved to see him when he came out to greet us every day. Now he is gone and we miss him humans and felines alike. Some would say he was lucky to have found us but we think we were the lucky ones.

My fellow helper Heather has written:

For any cat lover, the reward of helping at Kats & Kits is the privilege of getting to know the wonderful Sanctuary cats. They arrive for a variety of reasons and, for many, it’s the only home they’ve ever known. Given time to settle, they find peace, thrive on unconditional TLC, and blossom into happy, carefree, individuals, each with their own unique character.

One of the large feline family was dear Bob, who joined us in middle-age about 7 years ago. Sadly, the right home never came along for him, which is why he eventually became a permanent resident. Bob never regarded that as a compromise. Far from it! He enjoyed a wonderful life and was blissfully happy until he passed peacefully away last month. As with the loss of any of the Sanctuary cats, dear Bob is sorely missed, but will always be remembered with love and affection.

He certainly was quite a character. Though loving and adorable, sometimes on his terms, you couldn’t exactly describe him as a gentleman and, in truth, he never appeared to have much in the way of charisma or to make the slightest effort to find favour with the other cats. Nonetheless for that, many of our spayed girls – not to mention several of the neutered boys – absolutely adored him and formed a devoted daily entourage.

Max, a much younger cat, worshipped him and was his constant companion, whether or not Bob always approved! . As for his girls, well I doubt there’ll ever be another Bob they’ll idolise in quite the same way. He only ever lost one member of his fan club, and that was sweet Vicky. From the moment she set eyes on him, she was totally besotted – so much so that when K&K moved from Market Lavington to Keevil, we let them settle sharing the same large communal pen. As is so often the case in life, Vicky learned that you don’t know someone until you live together. Sadly, Bob didn’t live up to her high expectations, and ceased to be her dream boy. Was he bothered? Of course not!

Cool Bob used to display his pleasure with a kind of sexy husky purr. This was never more apparent than when he was given catnip, which he loved. I say “given”, but he has been known to break into the cabinet, raid the box and help himself!

What a boy, what a legacy, and what an absolute pleasure and privilege to have known and loved him. He was indeed very special and we shall all miss him. He is laid to rest at Wick Farm, his grave adorned, befittingly, with a posy of sweet peas.

Kats & Kits

The Diary of a Rural Cat Sanctuary

Character Cats

05 October 2007

Bob, A Cat With Attitude!

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