We've had many cats over the years but Christopher was my all-time fave. I think he was part dog, the way he followed me around the house and backyard and lifted his paw to shake hands or to get my attention. He would stand on his hind legs when he wanted me to scratch his head. Christopher would even play fetch, retrieving small stuffed cat toys that I tossed and bringing them back. I thought about getting a leash and taking him on walks with me, but my wife said that would look silly...who walks a cat???
He liked to curl up next to me when I sat on the couch to read or watch TV. He really liked it when we left the bedroom door open while I slept. He would creep in, softly jump onto the bed and gently nudge me with his nose or paw, then fall asleep next to me. He'd lay on his back to expose his soft belly, as if inviting us to rub him, then scratch us when we did. I always fell for this. Christopher would go out to the patio with me to hang out when I smoked a cigar. He either liked my company or he liked the fragrance of the smoke. Neither of our other two cats join me at cigar time.
A gray tiger, he was ferocious in the backyard, bringing home many rats, mice, birds, lizards and bugs, often in small pieces. My wife refused to put in a kitty door on the patio because she didn't want him to bring these presents into the house. He attacked any neighborhood cats who dared come onto our property.
Christopher and I had a special bond, and unlike our other two cats, he would always come whenever I called... for fifteen years. Until last night, when he was unable to hear my call and come to me. It's too late to get a leash and go on walks together........RIP, my dear Christopher.
