CHAGRIN FALLS, Ohio -- This is His Royal Pan Galactic Supreme Highness Sir Anthony, aka Tony the Goober, aka The Black Fool.
Tony arrived at Rescue Village, where I volunteer, as part of a seizure of 40 cats. Traumatized and terrified, he refused to eat for a week. The veterinarian and I agreed that I should foster him until he pulled himself together.
That was seven years ago.
I wasn’t looking for another cat, as I had an elderly one that I didn’t want to upset. But the Universal Cat Distribution System had its own plan, regardless of my opinion.
Tony is a mix of the regal and the cowardly. He reigns supreme in his castle, mounting routine perimeter security checks and hurling insults at any feline that dares to trespass in his yard. His humans open and close doors at his whim.
But if a strange human enters the house, he disappears like a puff of black smoke and will not be seen until the offender has departed.
His favorite time of day is in the evening when I’m on the computer. This is designated “Tony Time” when he demands his pets. Defcon 1: one-handed casual petting. Defcon 2: serious two-handed scratching behind the ears. Defcon 3: all of the above plus being cooed at.
He is a sweet, loving boy, if a bit of a goober. And like all good cats, he teaches us to respect boundaries and to love others as they want to be loved.
Jane Geisse,
Chagrin Falls
Do you share your life with an animal that is near and dear to you? Tell us something about your pet - all species are welcome - and send along a photo of the two of you. Be sure to tell us which Greater Cleveland community you live in. Send everything to Ann Norman at [email protected].