Saturday 10 August 2013

The Cat And The Professor

Finnegan

During the negotiations for our new house we were concerned about drainage. The owner offered to walk us over the property and explain the system he had in place. The realtor was unable to accompany us but warned us, within an inch of our lives, not to agree to anything because in a flush of goodwill we might make some costly mistake and have no legal recourse. 

Then I decided I didn't want to go and talk about pipes and would be sending the mild mannered, absent minded professor on his own. This was too much for the realtor who immediately changed her plans. "I should be there", she said,  "I can't have him agreeing to anything." What was I thinking! I've had thirty years to develop my spidey senses and he still slips stuff past me.

So now we are the proud owners of a cat.  He has lived on the property all his life and the owners were worried he wouldn't move well. 

I like cats. Now the deed is done I will enjoy him. Who am I to say he is an old cat and it is us who will now incur old cat vet bills.

So far he doesn't think much of us. The look says it all.

19 comments:

  1. Oh dear.
    When we bought the place I wasn't quick enough (or on the spot at the right instant) because we ended up owning two enormous concrete pipes (about three feet in circumference and 20 feet long) that the previous owner had always wanted to put into the ponds for fish habitat. I would have said 'NO - as a condition of sale they have to be removed', but The Great Dane thought that sounded like a splendid idea. Fast forward two years, which is the length of time it took to find someone in the construction business who wanted the pipes and was willing to take them away without charging us for doing so.

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    1. Yikes. Did you get the puzzled and slightly hurt "I thought you'd be pleased"? Did "concrete pipes" become family code for tettering on the brink of a bad decision?

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    2. Yes I did! I guess you've been 'there' too. I think we got the pipes because I was preoccupied with the 20ft dinosaur made from plumbing material. It had its own concrete pad. I believe that I must have been focused on ensuring that the dinosaur wasn't left behind. (Ah, Sweetie, I thought you liked art in the garden!)

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    3. Apart from the stress of finding somewhere to live, house hunting is a rather delicious way to look into other people's lives.

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  2. Oh that is a riot! Congratulations on your new house and handsome new family member!

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    1. Thank you. Pretty soon the chaos of moving will be over and we all, including Finnegan, can settle down.

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  3. Finnegan definitely has attitude - there is no doubt whatsoever as to his thinking and his feelings - but I am sure you can imagine how you would feel in his situation too.

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    1. I can sense the anxiety in him poor thing. We are using our most soothing tones but not crowding him. He does seem to be coming closer each day.

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  4. Ah, you'll win him over with the right food. Cats can be easily swayed, as are humans.

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  5. Oh boy...well perhaps you will grow on each other.

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    1. We are trying to win him over. I'd like a cat I could cuddle but I doubt Finnegan will ever go that far. Time will tell.

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  6. Oh dear he certainly looks grumpy but I shouldn't think he'll mind a change of ownership as long as the food keeps coming.

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    1. I'm undecided about treats. He eats a lot of mice so I'm thinking he should be able to eat anything. On the other hand I don't want to upset his stomach and add further insult.

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  7. Too funny! But I can't believe they just abandoned their cat with you. I could never leave a pet behind. A lot of love and tasty treats will improve his mood. But I can't say I blame him. I'd be peeved, too, if I'd been dumped out like the trash. Anyway, check out my Garden Love column. Sending you a ton!

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    1. Oh, Tammy, I am honoured and tickled pink to be featured in your Garden Love section. As in: enjoyment great enough to make the recipient glow with pleasure. I shall glow for the rest of the day.

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  8. Look at that "tough cat" facade. He must be very anxious about all the changes. You will conquer him with love. And think of this: Finnegan KNOWS stuff. All the secrets. Boy are you lucky to have his helping paw!

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    1. I told Finnegan about the lucky, helping paw thing. He may be thinking about it, I'm not sure, he walked away.

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