New Cat

We have a new cat.

His name is Panther.

That's the SPCA name.

Yes, he is a black cat.

The SPCA said he was about 7 years old. Weeks later, the vet said he was at least 10. My husband thinks we should get some of our money back.

It costs $150 to get a cat from the SPCA, not counting the litter tray, which he refused to use on the first night and ripped up three times. At 5.30am I couldn't stand it any longer, and let him out. On the first night. This despite the SPCA advice to keep him indoors for TWO WEEKS.

The cat went mental when we wouldn't let him out. I guess by the age of 10 you are pretty clear about the difference between indoors and out, and which one you prefer, at which times.

Panther's photo was up around town for awhile. Even the vet's had his picture up on the wall with all the other homeless moggies. I told them to put a "sold" sticker over him.

My husband's osteopath said she saw Panther's picture in the supermarket. The cat is famous. He should have his own blog.

The early visit to the vet's was needed after he got into a scratch-up with another local and caught a claw between the ears. Left a big hole. The fur is just starting to grow back now.

The vet said it was a good sign that he got the ding on his head, and not on his rear. Means he was fronting up, not retreating. That's my boy.

Even with the head injury he's looking a lot better than he was when he came out of the SPCA. I think it's fantastic what they do, but this cat couldn't handle that social life. I think he spent his five months there tucked down the back of one of those plastic tube things they are supposed to play in.

Five months. Long time for a cat that likes to feel the grass between his claws.

He's still got a weird kind of limp in one of his back legs, and he makes a squeaky noise, not a meow. One of his eyes waters and he finds it very hard to sit down on your lap, even though he's really smoochie and likes a pat.

And his name is not really Panther. He doesn't answer to it. I've yelled every black cat name I can think of at him. No response. Not even to Sambo or Morpheous or Bast. Look it up.

Suggest black cat names here.

And yes, there is the thing about Bernie. Having a new cat reminds me often of the old. Bernie of course was completely different. He howled. He deliberately stood in front of you on the stairs. He banged his head on the edge of the bed at 6am. He was smarter than a US President and tougher than my grandma. As tough as my grandma.

I think Bernie would be pleased we'd pulled an old cat out of the SPCA and given him a cushy retirement. Or, Bernie wouldn't give a damn.

Either way, it's still ok.