The Devon and the Can Opener

My first cat, chosen for my personality by Milan, was a beautiful Burmese (Craig). Six months later Milan thought it was time for me to add a friend for Craig. Being new to the city, just starting a career, and scraping pennies to survive, I told Milan another cat would have to wait. Milan bellowed at me (every cat in the store woke up and paced), "Do you have $5.00?" "Yes," I replied as Milan went to a cage of Siamese kittens that had just arrive, he reached in and picked a wiggling kitten with a purple dot on his forehead (perhaps an Indian Siamese?). Milan threw it at me and said, "Five Dollar now, the rest as you can afford it, get out."

Much later, Eileen Greer told me the kitten had been picked as best of litter to be shipped to Texas and marked by Milan with a purple marker; the order had been cancelled ten minutes before I stopped in. The Chocolate Pt. 'Jacque' and 'Craig' immediately began running my life and I have never been without a Chocolate or Blue Point Siamese in the family.

...Many years later and two Devons under the roof.

When my wonderful Singapura (PDQ called Peedee) became very ill and died within six weeks, Chuck and Cheryl suggested that their about to be retired Champion stud "Ch Shedere Bleu Suede in Waves of Busykitty" might be the loving suction cup to fill in for PDQ.

Suede arrived in January and immediately walked out of the carrier and made it clear he was here to stay and no amount of posturing would deter him. Considering he faced two twenty pound Chartreux (Gus & Toulou--known as the bookends), a Blue Point Siamese (Dansker), a rather strange red tabby hybrid Devon (Tugger2) and her majesty 'Ethel Merman' a white bright brassy Devon female, Suede sent them all running to the far corners of the apartment.

Ah, yes, the can opener.

Shelia Albert, who bred this beautiful boy, and Chuck & Cheryl all pledge that Suede never was allowed or came in contact with a kitchen.

The first night in New York, at three o'clock in the morning I awoke to hear a machine running in the kitchen and again at five o'clock and seven-thirty. Each time I crawled out of bed, dislodging several irate felines and went to the kitchen to find... nothing.

Several days later I managed to catch Suede up on hind legs resting his front paws on the top of the electric can opener. He likes it. It purrs and vibrates.

Since the family always chows down on dry food, who knows?

Suede, the new member of the family is a loving joyful addition to the family, even if he has a few kinky habits!

Thanks to Shelia, Chuck and Cheryl for allowing Suede to join my family.

Noel Harrington
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