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Winter 2010

Saga of Smokie

To all who are feeling stressed this is a letter from Smokie, the grey male cat, writing to cheer you up and to let you know cats have their problems as well.

 

I am a very large grey cat with thick short fur - I have a long tail which expresses my pleasure or displeasure - yellow eyes and black pupils and when I run my tummy is a little on the large size, so it sways from side to side.

 

I am not a pedigree cat but a stray that eked out a life at the Southern Cross University in Lismore. I soon found out I had a bond with a woman student called Brenda, who was studying there. We studied together in her room - she studied and I slept on her books...in between washing myself. She adopted me and we stayed together. When she lived in Ballina for a time I had a difference with another neighbour’s male cat and he won by taking a piece out of my ear! I forgot to mention there were paddocks with cattle opposite the University residence, with long grass so I had a ready supply of mice to supplement my diet.

 

People have very peculiar habits - I find it very strange sometimes to understand why they do it. Cleanliness - now they fill their bathrooms with a bathtub, shower recess, hand basin - towels, soaps and bottles with all sorts of coloured water in them - does it take that much to be clean? - I just lick, lick, lick and I’m clean!

 

Each night we play hide and seek - they want to put me out on the back verandah now it is warmer - I search high and low to find a suitable spot they don’t know about - you see I am so long I need quite a large bed so I can sleep comfortably.

 

Sometimes my mum and dad, Brenda and Robert, call in after work and if I’m feeling good we have a fast game with the orange ping pong ball - it is so exciting and I jump and hide but I must remember the low level of the sideboard - I forgot and gave my head a terrible bang - no more games for me that night!

One day I got left in the garage - it is stored with all sorts of things - wonderful for climbing high. I found a suitable spot and went to sleep - when I awoke it was dark and I could hear Grandma’s voice calling me but when I finally got down from my perch, we heard each other and I was treated to lots of hugs and cuddles, but I will be more careful next time - she may throw my dinner out if I don’t come!

 

Sometimes I get put in my special “carry-all” - I usually protest but Robert is very “persuasive”. When we reach the Vets and have to wait, the Vet’s pesky ginger cat comes around the waiting room and inspects each “carry-all”. I put my fur up and snarl at him and he disappears out the back again.

I get really angry when the Vet puts the thermometer up my backside! How angry I was, but before I could utter a protest they put a needle in my paw and took some blood. I was so glad when Robert put me back in my cage and took me home - I had a lot of licking to do after the visit.

 

I haven’t been feeling very well lately so more visits to the Vet – grandma thought it might be a hair-ball or the heat - anyway they found it more serious so I have been in a pet hospital for a few days at Gladesville having some treatment for a Thyroid problem from some bloke they call Professor. Surely he knows I have already been to Uni?

 

No-one seems to know how old I am – I still think I am young and sprightly.

My family was delighted with my progress reports and I hope to come home soon. The Professor tells them I have top marks for behavior and no one has had to take time off for injuries caused by my claws and sharp teeth. I will be so glad to come home and be able to lick - lick – lick….. all these strange smells off my fur coat!

By:Smokie The cat (Aged 12? )

Assisted by:Grandma Elford (Aged 90) February 2010.

 

 

We would like to thank Smokie and Grandma Elford for their wonderful contribution to our Newsletter