High self-monitoring is a strategy for humans negotiating social interactions. It is not a cat thing, especially not for Tabby’s Place cats who wear the orange collars that are basically caution signs.
Entrer petite madame Lornadoone. This miss is a crispy cookie with crunch and crumbles that make us fall to pieces…when she’s in a giving, good mood. The rest of the time? Well, some call her Lornadoom. Yet, others call her Junebug. Still others call her Doombug. The truth is this splendid, medium-haired, tabbylicious treat is 100% Lornadoone through and through.
Lornadoone will tell you that all this means is that it is up to her to direct operations at Tabby’s Place. In some sense, that’s true. When visiting the office of the dynamic Danielle (the actual Director of Operations), for any reason one must first be invited and granted admission by the furry ladyship in charge of her castle. If one is so fortunate as to pass initial inspection, one must also interact with Lornadoone in exactly the right way at all times.
The thing is, Lornadoone will never whisper a word about what that right way to interact with her is at any time. Also, because cat, sometimes no interaction is the proper course, even if admittance has been granted. For the humans who know and love Lornadoone, this is expected, and the tightrope is a fairly simple one to walk. For those who do not know Lornadoone as well and/or have not yet learned to love her, a lack of safety net can make the tightrope a little more daunting. For those Lornadoone doesn’t love, well, orange collars are not for decoration. They are a warning to limit interactions. There is also an unusual addition of a very specific notice about Lornadoone on the office door. Some of us have been trained on how to interact with cats like Lornadoon. Some of us know her well enough to spot the slightest twitch in the direction of a warming. We also know, that like the sea, it is never wise to turn one’s back on the cat whose feelings change faster than tides roll in.
Down the hall from the salty girl in operations lives another cat of epic proportions. Anka makes it his daily business to boss around the Volunteer Department members, the kaleidoscopic Karina (Director) and jazzy Jae. He also bosses around the volunteers.
Make no mistake, Anka is a very loving boy. Anka loves people. Anka loves stroller walks…all of the stroller walks. All of the strolls are Anka’s. When Anka is not first, middle, and last to be strolled, he gets a little miffed. But, strolls are not the only thing Anka loves. Among others, chicken might just top the list. Anka might insist fish mush is best, but it’s the worst for his delicate system. This big boy, who came to Tabby’s Place with serious Turkish street cred, has paraplegia. The end result (pun intended) is that what goes in must be limited to the most gentle foods. Hence, he’s on a strict poultry and beef only diet. Anka doesn’t have a problem with that.
What Anka does have a problem with is anyone after whatever elapsed time he determines is the appropriate length of time. Also, brushes. Anka does not love a brush. Although bribable, there are limits to the magic that even homemade chicken can help accomplish. On any given Sunday, a face off might be witnessed. Volunteer (Je confess; c’est moi!) and street cat face off. It’s a battle of wills. Will the brusher brush? Will the cat be brushed? Results vary. Part of that variance is due to Anka himself. Behind his back, brushing where he has little or no feeling can be very effective. Being streetwise, the opportunity never lasts long, as Anka will round off faster than a Jet facing a Shark during a dance battle in West Side Story.
As with Lornadoone, one would be wise to take care in exiting Anka’s office. Although less apt to lunge than Lornadoone, Anka’s hind feet are not in his control, so must be accounted for prior to opening the door. And, if he’s agitated, it’s best not to attempt a farewell pat on Anka’s head. The common care with both – the cat who resembles the sea and the cat who came from the street – includes awareness of their moods and needs. Both love attention. Both want to control how much and how they receive attention. Both will sweep you away with sweetness. Both can change in an instant, which is part of their charm.
It would be impossible to choose a favorite cat between Lornadoone and Anka, just as it is impossible to choose between a stunning ocean view Anywhere Beach, Earth and a quaint, thriving Main Street, Somewhere, World. Luckily, at Tabby’s Place, the only choice to be made is where to visit first. It doesn’t really matter, just as long as you do visit.