“Those who’ll play with cats must expect to be scratched.” – Miguel de Cervantes
“A cat has absolute emotional honesty: human beings, for one reason or another, may hide their feelings, but a cat does not.” – Ernest Hemingway
On 15 November 2015, a beautiful Isabelle (Calico) was born in the south of France. Despite her beauty, her journey was off to a rough beginning.
Ever on alert for a forever home but also choosey, I’ve been in some rather unsavory situations before, I was watching the door of the S.P.A. Port-la-Nouvelle on the Mediterranean. There was one other feline in residence but of course, I was the favorite and always play hard to get. A girl can’t be too choosy and I was so young, just shy of seven months old. As a woman approached the door, I watched closely but stealthily. Can you believe, she didn’t even glance my way but began talking to the resident human. I am a good judge of character and knew immediately that this one could easily be trained to my specifications. A chair stood inches from her, I jumped up and wrapped my paw around her arm. But of course, I had her at meow. Silly human, she had told the resident she was looking for a male cat. She did take a glance at the other feline in residence but I knew there was no doubt that she would leave with me. As always, so sure of myself, I disappeared and the two women took care of the paperwork.
My dignity was tested as I was placed in a carrier with the furry orange rug the S.P.A. gave me, it already had my magnificent scent and was added to ease my journey. It seemed forever before we reached my home. The second the carrier was opened, I sprang into action and hid. When the human was out of sight, I explored every nook. There was always fresh water and plenty of food and my box was kept clean and dry with my privacy assured. Perhaps this human had previously had some training. However, I would polish her off to my own personal specifications. Actually, she was tolerable already. There are three bedrooms, one for my personal use and I even allow her to keep a number of overstuffed bookshelves there. I have two flights of stairs for running about. The photo just above is in my own private chambre but actually, it is all mine. There is a door out onto the small terrace and it has a screen so the birds can chat me up and sing to me and entice me to come and play. This is still a contested issue as the human refuses to let me outside. She tells me I am too precious to her and that is the one argument that cannot be disputed.
While the human continues to believe this is her room, and the lounge her favorite reading spot, I set her straight but do allow her to share it. This photo was taken on her birthday which was a few weeks after my arrival. By this time, I would wait for her to fall asleep then curl up next to her head. I would disappear if she stirred. But she did interest me as she never called at me as if I should respond and never approached me. She waited for me and it has made all the difference. As you can see I have her well trained. By August, she thought I might enjoy some company and brought a feline into the house. It was her way of making amends for not allowing me out. Well, she knows what I think of that but that is another story. All in all, as humans go, she isn’t too bad and I could have done worse. We spend a lot of time cuddling but only when I choose to do so. I do all I can to make sure she comprehends my meows as I dictate the posts for my blog and do my best to let that other feline share in the stories but as usual, if I want it done right, I do it myself.
Bisous, madame Colette and the human
Disclaimer, any and all mistakes are the result of human error and shall be dealt with.
The human and I are still searching for feline photos for my series on Fabulous Felines in History. If you have any photos that you are willing to share, please forward them to us at feuetglace11@gmail.com It is best if the background in the photos is rather plain as we do quite a bit of time travel.
Les deux divas: ma vie en rose 