Sometimes it’s hard to find the words. Sometimes the cat defies all attempts at description. Smudge might prove to be just such a one.
Oh, don’t get me wrong. There are many stand-alone words that have been used to define and describe Smudge. The listicle for this delicious Smudgecicle includes male, sweet, handsome, tuxedo, senior, and big. There is so much more to this charming (Another word!) feline (And another!) than these tags. In fact, the sum total of the words heretofore listed fail to add up to all that is the wonder of Smudge.
Before proceeding, I would like to address the issue of Smudge being named Smudge. There is nothing smudgy about Smudge. Further, I’ve not found the marking that obviously would have led to such a name. More striking traits of this hefty fella include, but are not in any way limited to, his magnificent purr and his assertive meow.
Go over to Smudge.
Greet Smudge.
Pet Smudge.
Walk away from Smudge.
Do these things and the rewards are noisy. First, there is that meow. It is higher in pitch than might be expected, and it always sounds like Smudge is lodging significant complaints. Further, Smudge looks as though he could produce a passable baritone note. Take that meow down an octave, and it would seem more fitting.
Second on the noise factor, there is that purr. Get this particular motor running, go over to visit other cats en suite, and the rumble will follow on your heels. Smudge’s purr is a low-toned, big sound that carries on the slightest breeze, even if there is no breeze at all. It’s a warm, enveloping sound that says much more about Smudge than either his name or his monotoned meow.
Even – possibly especially – with such a cat, actions speak louder than meows, purrs, or other creative vocalizations. Sitting on the floor with Smudge is like having a front row seat at the performance of a lifetime. He dances around, rubs his face on the corners of whatever is in reach, and will happily trot after someone who offered scritches before heading to the door. It’s not that Smudge wants to be a door runner, it’s just that he is a very companionable guy. He’d rather keep a visit going than be separated from a human friend. (Refer back to the part about the his meow.)
Of course, all of this friendliness is predicated on patience. Smudge is a smidgen shy. He is just the most wee bit hesitant to initially strike up a friendship. This beautiful boy is worth the approach and the effort. For the record, that effort must include reminders to oneself that those meows are not all actually complaints. With Smudge, it is important to pay attention to body language for real clues to how he feels about all the things. It’s not that he’s taciturn, he simply has an unvarying voice…so far.
As has been the case with other inhabitants of Suite A, which houses shy and under-socialized cats, it is likely that Smudge would serenade a forever family with a far more vast songbook than what he pulls out at Tabby’s Place. In time, we at the Place of Places might even get to hear more of the deeper cuts from his favorite albums. For now, we’re still figuring out the best ways to make Smudge ever more comfortable and to keep him humming.
For the record, the medical team is continuing a full assessment about this luscious senior. After all, Smudge is a recent arrival, and it takes time to make sure of the status of all systems. So, he is not yet on the adoptable cats list (that status could change fast). But, guaranteed, Smudge is worth the wait. And that is the final word.