A Writer's Cat or a Cat's Writer

Kato (age 9) and his property Laurie Bishop...

Almost two weeks after losing my Tojo, my orange multi-toed boy and companion of 18 years, I saw a picture of an orange male cat at the local shelter...and he had two huge front feet. He was it—I had another orange boy. In keeping with tradition I gave him another "toe" name, and he became Kato.

Kato the Boss

Kato came home with me at two years of age. He had been a full male and neutered only two weeks before, so he had attitude built right in. I am his property, as the food and pet dispensary; and he is also the boss of the two other cats I adopted at the same time. He has a right to eat everyone's food (in his mind), he can lie anywhere he wants (others are required to move if they occupy his preferred spot), and he only speaks when he has something to say—and he usually doesn't have to say anything.

Is Kato another writers' cat?

I will let the picture tell the story. He is next to me whenever I am writing, and this can mean on my desk...or my printer....

And now, here is Kato's story in his own words:

My name is Kato. At least, that's the noise She makes when she sees me. This house is mine. The couch is mine. The porch is mine. The bed is mine. The big soft chairs are mine. And the food is mine. My only issue is the food, since She has to be maneuvered into giving it to me. But it pretty much works out okay.

Let me tell you, I had to train her. It took me a little while, but she's okay now. She didn't understand that I'd lived two years in the street and had my own methods. I am a MAN cat, unlike those other two boys she brought home. I don't mind them at all, though, because they know who's boss.

Life is pretty good now. I spend a lot of time basking in the sun and generally overseeing my domain. Oh, and since you ask--I do help her to poke those funny things on what she calls a keyboard. But mostly I am just nearby supervising. It's a good thing I am around.