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Sam
"There are no ordinary cats," said the famous French writer,
Colette.
When he arrived, a stray of maybe 2 or 3 years, it was
clear: Sam was his own cat. There would be no lap sitting,
no playing with silly toys, no being picked up and held like
a baby. This was a serious cat who would sit next to you or
next to the papers on your desk. If you looked up from your
work, his blue eyes were contemplative; offering no specific
suggestions, only encouragement.
Mickey, the alpha male cat of the household, disliked Sam
from the beginning. Sneaking up on the sleeping Sam he
hissed, what I presumed, were ugly threats. Sam, would open
his eyes and gaze at him impassively as the hissing and
growling continued. This was the recurring pattern and I
came to think of Sam as a Zen cat. But then without warning
one day Mickey's hissing awakened a Sam flying at him with
lightening speed, suddenly in what appeared to be Zen
warrior mode.
After that Mickey began picking on the third cat of the
house, gentle, old Hugo. When fights between those two broke
out, Sam would throw himself down on the floor next to them
rolling from side to side to side. It seemed he was making a
plea to end hostilities.
In the next fifteen years Sam had many adventures. He
enjoyed greeting neighbors on a daily basis in the building
hallway, sometimes venturing to the lobby. He would make a
point of exchanging pleasantries with visiting friends.
Often complimented on his handsome appearance, he
appreciated the kind words. He wasn't stuck up though
because he had no idea what specifically was being said nor
how beautiful he was.
Like many cats, as he grew older, he became more
affectionate, spending more and more time curled up next to
me. He relished his daily brushing. I only had to say, "Time
for your brushing", and he'd come running; then purr
contentedly throughout the process to show his enthusiasm.
If you wanted a hug, you only had to hold out your arms and
say, "Come for a hug," and he come as fast as his legs would
carry him.
He was much loved; he was my great friend. With
extraordinary cats like Sam there's really no way to say
good-bye.
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