scpotpourri

He’s 9 1/2 years old. Signs of old age setting in. I wanted to make sure it was just that; not an ailment. Took him to the vet. A clean bill of health. So he’s aging.

I look back at years gone by.

He was a pick by my daughter. First time we were getting a cat; had dogs up until then. He was given to us as a Persian Cat. Many years later, I figured he is a British Long Hair. Grey. Yellow eyes. Fierce looking. Many people don’t take to him easily as they do my Ragdoll, Ivy.

She named him Chai – pronounced Kai. Its Hebrew for ‘life’. He’s lived up to his name. I consider him ‘noble’. I’ve had many pets, and some strays – dogs and cats – but there was none like him.

He’s loyal, good judge of character and discerning of humans.

We got him when he was 2 months old. I had never seen a kitten look like him. His appearance sort of grows on you. With his personality aiding it. He reminds me of cats I saw in the US in ’89. I hadn’t seen anything like them. Actually, couldn’t guess the sort of animals they were. I had, after all, seen only the Indian Billi, for a cat.

We had a fawn Labrador when he came who at that time was 2 years old. After the initial aggression,  Captain took to Chai. Within months we rescued 4 Indian Billis that were weeks old. I kept them in a separate hall till they were vaccinated. They were a riotous bunch. One day, when I was integrating them into the family, I took Chai into that room. They were running around, chasing one another. It was a culture shock for Chai, who hadn’t seen anything like it. He took to them soon enough. He was particularly fond of the beautiful Liesl, who didn’t look like the others. I figured her mother had been around.

Within days of the integration, Liesl, and the other rescues fell ill. Chai was in the room when Liesl passed away. I took Chai close to her. She let out a loud moan and was gone. Chai meowed in sorrow.

Only 2 of the rescues were left behind. I had tried to get them adopted, in vain. So not being able to handle the situation with the animals at home, I set the rescues free. I figured they could make it out there, they being strays. Those couple of days, they sat by my bay window on  the outside with Chai looking over them from the inside. I couldn’t bear to see it anymore and let them in.

I was hospitalized within a few months. My family took Captain in and let Chai be adopted by a family,  or so I was told. For a year I lived without him. When I could bear it no more, I asked for him to be returned to me. Without any fuss he was brought back to me. I was thrilled. So was Captain.  We were our old, complete family again.

Captain, Chai and I were a threesome. We were always together. Chai and Captain juggled spaces to be near me. We were happy.

Months later, I came to know he was actually in a shelter that whole year. Cooped up in a cage. Passed over the whole time for adoption. I was heartbroken when I learned of this. Sad for him but glad he came back to me. That year of silence affected him, especially after Captain passed away. He pretty much kept to himself after that. Till Ivy came along.

When Captain passed away, Chai stayed under the sink in the bathroom for 3 days, eating nothing, just sitting there. He hurt himself under his eye which had to be drained by a vet, his first visit to the vet at 6years  old, other than for shots. Chai was withdrawn. Didn’t even come to me. He probably missed Captain not being with us.

I brought Ivy, 8 months later. Chai was over the moon. He doted on her. Groomed her. She in turn, played with him, chased him all over the house. Soon, Chai’s hormones got the better of him. Ivy was in tears. Reluctantly I had Chai neutered. He slowed down a lot. He’s become like how he was after Captain passed away. Ivy draws him out of his shell sometimes with success. He is still affectionate towards her. He treats her with gentle care.

I think he’s ‘noble’ because of his staunch loyalty towards me. He’s like that with no one else. He loved Captain and now Ivy. When I’d give them treats, he’d wait for Captain to finish his, before he’d eat his. Now also with Ivy. One strange thing I’ve noticed. He pretty much keeps to himself in another room, when I have guests over. But when there are workers around fixing the house or appliances, he comes, sits beside me till they finish their work and leave. I dont know what to make of this.

I love Chai. I feel guilty for his year at the shelter. I hope I’ve made up for it over the past few years since. There have been times I’ve felt, Chai is the only one that really needs me.

He’s old now, his times by himself, longer by the day. I want to make his life as comfortable as possible.  I cherish my days with him, for however long they’ll last.

My noble Chai…..