Call her Paul

June 9, 2013

An unnamed cat lives in our house. I am in awe of her resilience. When I look at her sweet, crooked, mixed-up little face, she emits the tiniest of meows. She was abandoned by a departing family, with two other cats. The next door neighbor took them all in and soon discovered both of the females were pregnant. “Whatever her name is,” guestimated to be just about a year old, was dropped off with the other ditched cats at the Coon Rapids Humane Society. Since “The Cat Living In Our House” has similar coloring to several others in the shelter, they moved her to the St Paul asylum. The kittens were separated from their respective mothers and put up for adoption at four weeks of age after spending time with the foster family. “Cat” claims to be accustomed to dogs and other felines, is now spayed and up-to-date on her shots and has a complimentary vet visit to her name. Last Thursday she hid under my bed for a few hours, after coming face-to-face with Tyrus, then came out from hiding and pretty much ignored the huge hound. She is a bit curious about the great outdoors, sits in the window at length, yet doesn’t seem interested in escaping when the outside doors open. I could anthropomorphize and declare she feels “saved” in our household. We aim to fatten her up and keep her indoors. No sense tempting fate in the great wide world.

When I mentioned to a friend who was here visiting that the cat had not been christened with a name yet, he asked if cats really respond to a name. Many of the animals in Brasil do not have names, especially on farms.

Some of my friends have changed their names after having an epiphany or taking a metaphysical/spiritual course. Not certain what name I would choose. The doctor informed my parents they were having their first boy, after three girls so they were to call me Paul. Didn’t turn out as expected. Silly doctor. I’m sure my mother and father were very disappointed. They got their first son just shy of a year after I was born.

Maybe we should call the cat “Paul.” What name would she choose?