He has invaded my home for a fair four- almost five- months. He is a fluffy beast, his stomach encased in fat and fur. All gray, from his snout to the tip of his tangled tail, except his glowing amber eyes.
When I was first introduced to him, he was only two weeks old. The tiniest, most fragile being that I ever held- barely a pound in my hand. So warm and curious.
It was during a playful summer in Washington state, where the mountains lifted their faces to the radiant sun, and the breeze tickled the branches of evergreen trees. My family decided to adopt a young cat off of Craigslist- for reasons I cannot fathom- and I held him all the while back to our condo.
Stone, the gray cat, was incredibly adorable, always seeking my mother’s attention. He was strong and confident- curious about the world, which seemed so big. When I left Washington for home, I left hoping that he would remember me, and stay the same.
Now, after several fair months, I have seen that his character has completely changed. Unusual eccentricities have arisen that make him an enigma- an enigma that is almost uncat-like.
During a typical day, he would wake up at the foot of my bed, and wait to be fed. I would rise, then take out their cat food, opening the wet food can on a kitchen countertop. While the other cat, Forest, patiently awaits his meal, rubbing his head against my leg, the gray cat hops on the counter and starts licking the can. Yet, when I place their food down near their water bowl, Forest begins eating and Stone remains with the empty can. Sometimes, I even have to remove him from the countertop and push him toward his bowl.
He is not awfully bright.
Case in point, he can push, but not pull. When he enters a room, he can easily push open the door. However, when he attempts to exit, he cannot figure out how to pull open the door; instead, he hopelessly paws and scratches at the door until I become so annoyed that I open the door myself.
Stone, most of the time, lounges about the house, but in the strangest positions. Normally, a cat would sleep on their side or curled up on their stomach, resting on their paws. The gray cat, like a human, sleeps comfortably on his back, toes curled and his vulnerable stomach exposed to whatever dangers may come.
Despite these slight eccentricities that I am now getting accustomed to, Stone is just as worthy of an affectionate home as any other cat. He follows me about the house wherever I go, even to the restroom, and sits by me while I work and sleep. His stalking nature is strangely endearing. And, in spite of his clumsy, clobbering nature, he sits as a gentleman would- his delicate manner of crossing his paws or standing in a ballet first position.
It is easy to misjudge this cat, especially when I have known a different, younger version of him. Though, I love him nonetheless as this gray cat is truly sweet at heart and not the sum of small quirks.
Hi Isabel! Ok so starting off, I had absolutely no idea that you could adopt a cat off of Craigslist? This is honestly the first time I’ve ever heard of that so it’s cool to hear about your family’s story. Stone is honestly and incredibly adorable. Although his sleeping position may leave a bit to be desired in terms of defense against threats (of which I hope there are none), I do find it strangely endearing and cute in a sense. I’ve personally never been able to adopt a pet so I am a bit envious that you have two cats, but they both sound amazing so I congratulate you on a wonderful cat-filled life.
Hello, Isabel!
Although it’s been quite some time since I’ve last read your writing (specifically, freshman year in Miller-Bucholz’s class), your style is still as effortlessly eloquent as I remembered it being! There were a lot of phrases here that I loved here, including the following:
“…where the mountains lifted their faces to the radiant sun…”
“Unusual eccentricities have arisen that make him an enigma- an enigma that is almost uncat-like.”
“And, in spite of his clumsy, clobbering nature, he sits as a gentleman would- his delicate manner of crossing his paws or standing in a ballet first position.”
These few phrases endeared me to your cat even more than his eccentricities already did. Even after knowing Stone for maybe a couple hundred words, I already adore him. Thank you for sharing this!
Isabel,
You seriously have such a refreshing and beautiful way to write about your pets! As someone who has never had a pet (and possibly might never have one), I’ve also been fascinated with the small quirks they seemingly adopt. From keeping my eyes on my friends’ cats to petting a friend’s dog, each and every pet remains unique in a variety of ways that I can hardly keep up with. Above all, I notice how pets interact with humans and I believe that it can reveal the most about a pet. From the way, pets sniff at your hand or push against your petting hand, each unique and adorable in their own right. I must admit alongside you, not seeing a pet for while and being reunited with one, is a bit disorienting. Of course, the pets are never my own, but to see them and to be in their company again, you truly do wonder if they are the same pet you saw before. However, you are absolutely right that it does not mean or signify anything less if they are not the same as when you left them. In essence, pets are endearing and time apart and the changing of habits hardly constitutes a change in heart. They truly are one of the most precious things in this world:) Thank you so, so much for sharing this, and letting me indulge in the pet owner life through you!
Jackie
I loved reading about your cat! Cats are hilarious, they always have such strong personalities and the habits they get into always manage to be amusing. I have cats as well, and one of them is definitely the type to try and start eating food out of the can before you have even opened it yet. My other cat has also mastered the skill of opening doors! We have to lock them because he knows how to pull down on the handle and push them right open — this being the same cat that will chase a red dot around for hours. I love the pictures you included of your little friend and the way you introduced him as a fluffy beast as well as refer to him as “the gray cat”, it made me laugh. I hope that Stone’s seemingly growing personality always manages to amuse you.
Hi Isabel!
First of all I just want to say that Stone is very cute and fluffy from what I can tell. I like how you talk both about past and present versions of him, and it’s really just how he’s grown – physically and psychologically. Of course, you’re likely not exact the same person as you were when you were younger and he’s no different to that. I like your overall writing style in this piece (though I haven’t read your other blogs I don’t think) and generally how you talked about your cat Stone, (and special guest appearance Forest of course).
Isabel,
I love this post so much! Stone is so adorable, and I love your writing style and the way it so clearly defined your relationship with him and conveyed his cuteness. I don’t have any pets except for my fish (Chili Bartholomew Pepper), so I am so envious of you getting to see Stone grow and develop his personality and quirks. Stone sounds like a gentleman indeed, and I’d love to read more about him in some of your future blogs. 🙂
Isabel,
I love this post so much! Little Stone seems so adorable, and I love the way you write about him and convey his personality so efficiently. I don’t have any pets of my own, besides a betta fish named Chili Bartholomew Pepper (yes he is as magnificent as his name), so I am completely envious of you getting to see Stone grow and develop his character and quirks. I hope to read more about him in your coming blogs, best of luck Isabel!