Birthday: October 1st 1994 Coloration: Silver Tabby Likes: Persuading me to give him treats Pet-Peeves: Not getting treats when he wants them Favorite Toy: Foam balls and fake mice Favorite Nap Spot: Outdoor balcony overlooking the world Favorite Food: Innova EVO, Halo Freeze Dried Chicken Treats Skills: Highly skilled at getting his way Dwells:
indoors and outdoors Arrival Story: He was a stray at my apartment complex and kept visiting me, seeking food and affection. He then began "stalking" me, hiding in nearby bushes and popping out when I came home, happily greeting me with his upright tail. Bio: Everyone loves Smokey (humans that is). Several other people in the complex were thinking of adopting him because of his charm and friendliness. He approaches anyone and rolls on his back looking adorable for anyone who walks by. He had been left behind and even "kicked out" by 2 previous owners (losers), whose loss is clearly my gain.
Smokey has had a myriad of perplexing medical problems and has seen many specialists vets, some of whom his owner has liked and some whom his owner would like to injure. He had lymphocytic plasmacytic gingivostomatitis and endured a posterior extraction (behind canines), Congestive Heart Failure felt due to restrictive cardiomyopathy, etiology unknown, and finally, a mysterious febrile illness that no one conclusively figured out. Fortunately, he is fine now, but he has had too many visits to doctor types in his life.
We are currently trying acupuncture and Chinese Herbs, as well as other holistic common sense type things. We like to avoid vets. Our main problem right now is a chronic right leg limp that no one can figure out either (see a pattern here?) Is it arthritis? Is it a chronic injury?
Smokey seems to be in retirement phase now. He was quite the alpha cat in his younger days, seeming to go out of his way to show other cats who was boss, even pouncing onto and clinging to screen windows to hiss and threaten cats behind it. Even if they were the tiniest of kitties. His mother was extremely embarrassed when this happened and gained some enemies in the neighborhood. Fortunately now, he hisses and snarls at other cats, but generally lets them go their own way.
It is the way of the mature statesman, to live and let live, and to promote peace. Certain Presidents should take note. Forums Motto: I Rule The Groups I'm In: 10 YEARS OR OVER??? DOGS or CATS, Pets With Big Hearts
My mom gets very irritated and calls people "losers" when they don't appreciate me. We live in a condo complex situated in an upscale town. We used to live in an apartment complex in a "poorer area" shall we say. Where we used to live, lots of neighbors would come up to me and pet me and I would roll around on the ground for them (to see this for yourself, watch my video!). However, here in snobbo land, I can approach people real friendly-like and they just walk by. I think my mother misses being around our former neighbors. I don't take it all very personally as I figure it is their loss, but my mother almost hisses in disgust. Money definitely doesn't bring happiness or an appreciation for handsome and clever cats.
Today my mom came home and she dragged me into the car. I meowed a lot loudly because I hate the car. We ended up at this place where I saw dogs(!) getting physical therapy. I had my own room and after a lot of manipulations of my paw, a nice woman massaged it. Up and down. All over. It felt good! I heard the doctor say that he didn't think anything was mechanically wrong with my paw and that massage might help. While I was getting massaged I felt just like I do when my face is brushed just the way I like it. Ecstasy.
After surviving this very long spell of hot days, I didn't think things could get worse. Today my mother had a big smile on her face while she was at the sink. I kept waiting and waiting for the special treats I thought I was getting. Suddenly I found myself being picked up and dipped in warm water! Shock! My mother started scrubbing me and the rest is all a blur. When it was all over I just wanted to lick myself all over to straighten everything out. Later I noticed my mother examining multiple scratches all over her upper body. She didn't seem very happy. I wonder where those came from?
