MARTHA THOMASES Catches Cat Fever
The most important story of the new year is not being covered by the lame-stream media. You won’t find it on the more popular blogs. Neither Heidi MacDonald nor Rich Johnston has the scoop.
We’re getting a new cat. You heard it here first.
In my life, I’ve only had three cats, unless you count the two on the commune where I spent 1974 and half of 1975. My first cat, Toots, came from a friend who found her on the streets of Yellow Springs, Ohio, and brought her to me in college. The second two, sisters Trixie and Midnight, were brought over from a rescue group. This time, I went to the Humane Society. They asked me what I wanted.
Using all available self-control, I did not specify a lightning-bolt marking on the right side. Neither did I specify super-strength, x-ray vision, nor the ability to fly.
Is there a more appealing concept in all of literature than the super-pet? Superman had Krypto, a super-dog, Supergirl had Streaky, a super-cat, and Comet, a super-horse. Batman had Ace, the Bat-hound. Chameleon Boy had Proty, a malleable blob.
I wanted all of them. I also wanted Beppo, the super-monkey, although I was never clear on whose pet he was.
At the time I had a dog, because at the time, I was ten years old and lived with my parents and had a yard. My dog was fairly awesome, but she couldn’t do anything Kryptonian. She couldn’t change her shape. She couldn’t even solve crimes. It seemed to me that having a pet who could take me on adventures, who could perform extraordinary feats for my amusement and, if necessary, for my protection, was the greatest thing that could happen in a person’s life.
As I said, my dog didn’t do any of those things. She did, however, love me more than anyone else. She even loved me more than my mother, who fed her.
A companion animal – a pet – is wonderful for a child. A pet won’t blab her secrets, no matter how juicy. A pet, unlike parents and teachers and even school friends, never judges her. A pet is always there, to play in the backyard or to sit in her lap watching television. A pet is always warm and soft and there when she needs a hug. For all these reasons, a pet is also wonderful for adults.
Those are pretty awesome super-powers.
Because the Humane Society has a fairly rigorous process to match animals to humans, I don’t yet have my new cat. I don’t think we’ll be naming her Streaky, because, really, I’ve never seen a cat with markings like that. I’m thinking of naming her Selina, after Selina Kyle. And also after a fairly brilliant singer-songwriter.
And I reserve the right to make her a cape.
SATURDAY: Marc Alan Fishman
Hi, Martha, Selina is good. I had Jemima picked out for my next cat, who turned out to be George, prenamed and masculine. Around here the cats’ name hardly matter because they all respond to Kitty.
We’ve had good and mediocre and I hope you get a doozy.
Jenny
Best of luck with the new kitty. Comet turned out kind of pervy. He was really a prince from another planet, and in his humanoid form courted Kara. I guess that’s a lot of girls’ dream about their horses, but it was still kind of strange in the seemingly innocent days.
Wished I’d known you wanted a kitten. A lovely kitten wandered into our backyard around Thanksgiving and we’re trying to find a home or shelter for it. We can’t keep it — already have all the lease allows. Ahy well. We’re holding out for a no-kill shelter.
@John: Is it a girl cat? That’s what John wants. If so, let’s talk.
Y’know, even when I was little, it always bothered me that Kara-el/Linda Lee Danvers/Supergirl had a cat and Kal-el/Clark Kent/Superboy had a dog. It was so sexist, even though when I was a kid I didn’t know that word!!!! Even Dick had a dog and Jane had a cat!
As you may guess, I’m not a cat person. Dogs, that’s another matter. I read all the classic dog stories–LASSIE, LAD: A DOG, BIG RED, and all the sequels.
And horses! I was really happy when Kara “got” Comet–and then, like the other Frank Miller, I thought it was kind of pervy when they turned him in a guy. Really, even as a kid, it disturbed me.
Mindy
Remember – and for me it’s more true of cats than dogs – they give you so much, and they don’t ask for much – only a little piece of your soul.