We all know the adage that it takes a village to raise a
child. In this part of the neighborhood, it apparently takes a block to keep a
cat.
Over the last several months, a full grown all-over-gray
cat with gorgeous green eyes has been spied in and around our Brookside area block. When I grew concerned that she was lost and couldn’t
find her way home, I sent out an email for information. I got back a flood of
responses from neighbors who have had their own experiences with this
resourceful feline.
At 645, the kids call her Smoky and she does NOT get along
with the terrier of the house. Down at 627 she goes by Kitty Gray Gray and
likes to cuddle and have her tummy rubbed. She has been seen leaping the fence
in the back yards of houses backing up to the next streets, and spending
lots of time on the cushions behind 609. At 628 she gets chased out by their
large poodle, and across the street the 3 year old calls her Glen, his
generic name for any kitty he sees. She’s been known to stroll in through the open
back door at 622, and like Batman, seems to be everywhere, and yet nowhere. Here
at 641 she goes by the name Cat Benatar; she has taken up more or less
permanent residence on our threshold, or napping on the deck couch in the sun. Thanks
to our nephew who recently visited from Hollywood and was taken with the idea
of a transient pet, she also now has over 400 likes on Instagram. She’s clearly well-fed, although no one will
admit feeding her. And always up for a leg rub.
She’s friendly, independent, and to me symbolizes some of
the best things about living in this neighborhood. Close neighbors make for
strong communities, and those who are willing to help tend another’s pet will
also help look out for each other’s homes, families, and well-being. We are open,
but responsible, and will reach out to one another. We will look for solutions,
but in the meantime make sure a stray kitty doesn’t go unloved. Brad down the street
summed it up by noting that after the communal cat experience, he is reassured
that if any of his three little boys goes astray or “runs away from home” as
only a six year old can, he will be well taken care of. Maybe not fed, but
watched over.
That’s what neighbors do. We look out for one another. Thanks,
Cat Benatar, for allowing us all to be just that much more neighborly.
