In earlier posts (here and here), I introduced you to our tailless and now blind cat Gooseberry. Now I would like you to meet our “other” cat, Doughy, who undoubtedly would resent being described as an “other” cat, for he considers himself, and he truly is, a star. Everyone who meets him oohs and aahs.
Doughy is a former resident of the Washington Animal Rescue League, which maintains perhaps the most advanced and pleasant small-animal facility in the world — it’s a true country club for small furry creatures, and the occasional snake or lizard as well. He is a tuxedo cat, and a fine-looking one at that. (In fact, he was the cover boy on a WARL brochure in his youth.) His distinguishing physical characteristics are twofold: (1) He is a filet. Pick him up (if you can — he is very heavy) and you immediately sense that he has no bones at all, anywhere in his body. He is a big lump. Hence his name, Doughy. Given his bonelessness, he is also a pancake cat: he can fit under anything or wedge into anything, no matter how small and in spite of his bulk. (2) He has wonderfully rich, thick, mink-like fur. He would be a great stuffed animal; come to think of it, he is a great stuffed animal. Combine these two characteristics and what you get is a joy (though a cumbersome one) to have in your lap.
Doughy’s favorite activity, which he loves even more than eating and sleeping, is going for walks with my wife Carol. When she and I come in from a walk, Doughy is waiting by the door for his turn. He flops over so she can put him on a leash, and she takes him for a jaunt around our little neighborhood. Or, more accurately, he takes her for a jaunt — he goes where he wants to go and she follows along. The neighbors think she is a Crazy Cat Lady. The neighbors are correct.
Doughy and Gooseberry have never been best friends. Goose already had tenure by the time Doughy arrived, and over the years their relationship has been one of mutual tolerance (and the occasional hissing match and screaming chase around the house) rather than brotherly love. But now that Gooseberry has become sightless, I’m pleased to report that Doughy treats him very gently.
You are now free to return to the serious world of politics and political science.