Goomp's new feline companion, Purrky, deep in thought as he ponders his good fortune at being chosen among dozens of worthy fellow pussycats at the shelter to finally have a home of his own.
Meet Mr. Perkins -- AKA Purrky -- Goomp's exquisite new feline companion, who moved in at Camelot yesterday to aid and comfort our Papa, whose beloved Lucie went outside one night last week and never returned home. A seal point blue Siamese whose former owners surrendered him to the awesome New Hampshire SPCA in Stratham because "there were too many animals," this kitty is "user friendly," Goomp reports this morning. At the shelter we got to mix freely in window-walled rooms -- each holding perhaps 20 cats -- with both free-roaming puddies and others that were for one reason or another behind bars in well-designed enclosures enhanced with play shelves and fabric, food and litter boxes. Lots of outstanding cats. The shelter aims to bolster troop morale by scheduling daily visits from ailurophile volunteers.
After a first meal and a shot of catnip in his new home, Purrky does a modified "turkey" or "cello," cleaning all working parts.
Making his way skillfully across the minefield of objects crowding the top of the hutch, the elegant young man emerges into a clearing, sizing up the distance to the top of the computer -- just offscreen to the left -- before jumping up and claiming it as his own. Lucie used to sit up there, Goomp's muse when he was reading or composing.
This smells interesting. Purrky meeps every square inch of every surface throughout Goomp's house, in this case the top of the keeping-room couch.
What volumes a feline's olfactory senses tell him about who knew what when. Forget about special prosecutors and congressional inquiries. Where we might see, perhaps, only fur to be vacuumed or stains to be removed, a kittycat gathers facts and reads the landscape.
Having gotten the lay of the land, the new boy in town begins to feel at home. (Pinch me. How did I get so lucky?)
As Rick says to Captain Renault in Casablanca, "I think this is the beginning of a beautiful friendship."
Update: Siamese afficionada Nicole, who stopped by with Chris on Saturday to make aquaintance with the new boy, confirms he's a seal point and adds a note of appreciation:
Perfect wedge-shaped head, perfect ears, perfect Siamese eyes.
We've got a keeper here.
I hope Purrky deesn't go Hollywood on me with all the praise and publicity. He has just had supper after a visit to the local vet to check out his sneezes contracted at the shelter. Appetite good. A good sign. Nap time now.
Posted by: goomp | November 08, 2005 at 06:02 PM
Mr. Perkins is very handsome... and looks as though he knows it. ;)
Posted by: pam | November 08, 2005 at 06:04 PM
Some dead French guy (Montesquieu, I think...I know,I've a Killer Fixation on Dead French Guys) said that all he really needed to know about Human Nature he could learn from his cats' interactions. I hope that the new cat in the house finds common words with Pater Familias. I also hope that Former Cat in His Life finds her way home...but, well, that's more up to the Fates than anything else. Best wishes.
Posted by: bebere | November 08, 2005 at 10:09 PM
How wonderful. Lucky Mr. Perkins and lucky Goomp to find such a handsome new friend.
Posted by: Teresa | November 09, 2005 at 10:25 AM
I've always had a soft spot in my heard for Siamese.
Posted by: andophiroxia | November 09, 2005 at 10:42 AM
Beautiful cat. I have always loved Siamese cats. I guess that love comes from the memories I have of my family's first pet, a Siamese called Pyewhacket. I was about five years old when we got her, and I have a lot of fond memories of that cat.
In 1967 we got another Siamese, and her name was Tinkerbell. She ruled the house, and was probably the most regal cat I have known.
Then of course is Thalia, my Blue Point Siamese. We all know what kind of cat she is.
Posted by: Jeff | November 09, 2005 at 11:28 AM
pretty cat. i like that "cello" shot.
Posted by: Platypotamus | November 11, 2005 at 11:56 AM
Absolutely beautiful cat and photos of cat, reminds me of Samantha, cat we once had. Same coloration too, brings back memories.
Posted by: mog | November 13, 2005 at 11:26 PM
A very pretty cat. Hugs from me & my cat Cellaneous!
Posted by: Ma~ | November 14, 2005 at 05:05 AM