Tom & Gerri Talk About Their Favorite Literary Felines
Tom: Hi, welcome to “Cat Chat”. I am a 15-month-old grey and white male short hair cat. Along with my sister, Gerri, I assist Linda with her writing endeavors.
Gerri: I’m the black and white cat with an eye-catching white mustache and ruff and adorable white “socks” on all four paws.
Tom: Gerri looks sweet, but she has a nasty disposition. She swats and bites me and jumps on me for no reason.
Gerri: Tom forgot to mention that he is hovering on the edge of obesity. He steals my food and he already weighs fourteen pounds. I bite him because he won’t be still when I try to wash the places he misses when he bathes.
Tom: Gerri drives everyone crazy whining every evening, demanding to go into the garage and hunt roaches.
Gerri: I have a pleasant soprano meow. Besides, killing roaches is important work that keeps our house clean. You ‘re the wuss who sits by the door yowling like a Siamese cat while I try to work because you have separation anxiety.
Tom: I’m glad you mentioned Siamese cats, because that’s the subject of our chat tonight. We’re reading Lillian Jackson Braun’s The Cat Who……. mystery series. The books feature Siamese cats Koko and Yum Yum who help reporter Jim Qwilleran solve murders and nail vicious criminals.
Gerri: We’re currently reading The Cat Who Played Post Office. Qwilleran has inherited an enormous old mansion which Koko and Yum Yum explore. Koko finds an old post card allegedly written by a former maid who disappeared five years earlier. Qwilleran believes the maid was murdered, and the post card supports his theory.
Tom: I can’t wait to find out how Koko solves this case. He has a fascinating feline personality. Koko is clever, bold, brave, regal and very assertive. I really identify with his frustration as he tries to explain his ideas to Qwilleran. His methods of communicating are ingenious. Koko is my hero!
Gerri: But you’re really more like Yum Yum. You like to sit in people’s laps and cuddle. I’m the adventurous cat in this house.
Tom: Then why do you hide when we have visitors?
Gerri: We also like the way these books support our own goals to encourage cat rescue and adoptions. Both Koko and Yum Yum become homeless when their owners are murdered. Qwilleran adopts these orphans and provides them a wonderful home.
Tom: And Qwilleran is a very responsible cat parent. He keeps Koko and Yum Yum indoors which keeps them safe and protects the local bird population. Both cats are neutered but NOT declawed. He takes them to the vet on a regular basis, and even studies cat psychology so he understands their instinctive behavior. He accepts their quirks and caters to their desires. He gives them gourmet food. He’s a shining example for all humans.
Gerri: Thanks for reading our blog. And here’s our special thought for today: It’s better to read than breed.
