The Knitting Fiend

Some of you know Biggie adopted us and wondered, “How exactly does a cat adopt a family?”

Well here’s how it happened.

We already owned two cats. The General and Piewacket. Both came and went as they pleased using this special cat entrance.

One day, Biggie passed by our door. He noticed this coming and going. Now, Biggie didn’t have it so good; he was locked out by his owner every day. The idea that cat could come and go as they please seemed too good to be true. So, he began to visit; we would see that he sat watching and pondering the wonders of the cat door.

When he visited, I would approach and pet him; he permitted this. I noticed he was very skinny, so I gave him food; he ate like a hog. But, he wouldn’t come in. During November, Jim felt sorry for him and created a “hut”.

Yet, despite all our welcoming gestures, Biggie did not try to come in. He sat in the hut on cold days and nights. He waited for food, but he did not come in.

Then one January day, when it was -20F and windy, Biggie got bold, pushed his nose through a flap and entered. From the computer room, I heard the click of the cat door, and rushed to greet him. I immediately offered food which he ate.

From that day on, Biggie considered our home his. He came in when it was cold and rainy, but stayed out when it was warm and sunny.

But, when he got sick, he stayed inside. He sensed he was too weak to handle the cold.

Though he didn’t try to get out, I locked the door just to be sure. Recently, as he is recovering, he has been tryign to escape, but I didn’t let him.

Today, I changed my mind. He got up; he began to pound furiously at the door. Yowling ensued. I unlocked the; exit Biggie.

I rushed to the side of the house and noticed he had gone to “the place of the dead tomato plant”. You know what that measn; he was planning to do his business. As he prepared, he noticed I was aiming a camera at him. His reaction? He turned and said, “A little privacy, please!“

I gave him the privacy he needed.

I mean, of course! Who am I to interfere with a cat who wants privacy?

Especially one who had been so sick he couldn’t move when movement was required.

I’m afraid the result was he often made messes (which embarrassed him.) I’m also afraid that, more than once, we had carried him to the couch to comfort him. Unfortunately, when he felt “the urge” he he would try to jumped down intending to make it to the litter box. Unfortunately, he did not make it.

The house had developed an odor Jim and I call “Eau De Chat”.

Not pleasant. And this was everywhere because, I’m afraid some of the “Eau De Chat” clung to Biggie himself. When it dried, it dropped on the comforters we set out for him. I gave him periodic sponge baths, but I just couldn’t keep up. The “Eue De Chat” grew more pungent.

To remedy this little problem, Jim rented a carpet cleaner on Saturday. He cleaned all the carpets. Meanwhile, I washed about 10 loads of blankets, bathmats and assorted other items we had placed under or near Biggie. I moved floors.

This worked. The house smelled fresh as spring.

Then, Sunday, Biggie had another accident. So, Monday and Tuesday we shopped for the pricey item shown to the left. I made the final decision and bought this one yesterday and used it today. Works great! (Lucia inhales deeply, and smiles!)

Better yet, since Sunday, Biggie has gotten strong enough to jump on tables, and consistently make it to the litter box. As you read, today he is strong enough to yowl, bang on the door and insist I let him out.

So, given Biggie’s improved health, I am hoping I won’t need to use this often. Still, I have it, just in case.

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Oh, you’re wondering about the knitting? The cleaning up after and coddling of Biggie is interfering with progress. I have completed a sleeve and a cuff. That’s it!

Tonight, I’m missing knit club meeting again because, what with the carpet cleaning, and Biggie sitting, and laundry and all I’m just tuckered out! I have mostly written up a “how to design a footie-sock” tutorial-a-tor; yes, the sample calculations have little boxes. I need to code the boxes and proof read.

With some luck, that may appear tomorrow.