Catster

return to top

Harley's diary

The puzzling mystery of cat names

I don't want to offend anybody, I just want to know one thing. Why do so many people name their cats Gizmo? As of this morning there are 67 cats on Catster with this name. According to the American Heritage Dictionary online, the definition of 'gizmo' is: "A mechanical device or part whose name is forgotten or unknown; a gadget." What the ... ???!!! I just don't get it! This has got to be among the silliest of all possible names for a cat, yet apparently, one of the more common. I mean, it's cool when somebody names their cat "Bob" - it may be a common name, but it's kind of clever, you know? But Gizmo?? What gives with the goofy name? I'm puzzled!

OK, now I'm ready to call that nice catlady MOM!

Recently my Mom decided she was at the end of her rope with me. I have this aggressive streak, and frankly I've been bringing some grief to the household with my antics. Mom was considering locking me in a kennel when she went to bed, or left the home, but I know she didn't feel comfortable with that. She talked it over with her boss, who suggested she should put me back up for adoption. Mom came home, having resolved to introduce me to a nice lady whose cat recently passed away. Boy, did I surprise her! Usually, I jump at the chance to go outside. But when Mom tried to coax me outside to go meet this lady, I put up such a fuss! I made it absolutely clear that I had chosen HER to be my MOM, and nobody else!

That was a week ago. Since then, I have been on much better behavior.

I'm taking a new medicine, too, that doesn't cost as much as Azmira Aggression formula, but does the same job. It's called "Good Cat!" Mom's not just giving it to me directly, she's putting it in our communal drinking water. I've noticed her administering the occasional dose of Rescue Remedy to my big brother Seti, who I've singled out for a lot of abuse. I wish I hadn't upset him, or my whole family, so much. I came from an abusive background, and I didn't learn much about good behavior there.

Mom has been working hard to make me a harmonious part of the family. I've decided to make an effort, too. Maybe I just needed to see that Mom was willing to let me move on if I kept acting like I was unhappy here. Mom, I'm totally happy with you. I'm sorry about my aggressive streak and my jealousy. I'll work with you on sorting things out from now on. I know you love me. I love you too!

My human brought good news home from work this evening

The human came home tonight with the news that she successfully found an adoption match for "Mopey" who had been at the facility since January 24. A very pleasant young woman who lives in the neighborhood came in and asked for her, and an hour later, off they went in a taxi together, with Mopey's furniture in tow. Mopey was safe inside my human's old green carrier that she used in her cat rescue work. The human came home beaming. Offered me and the other cats slices of organic bison steak in celebration. None of us cared much, not right after our own azmira ocean fish repast anyway. I even ate my own wet food tonight! Most of the time I just walk away from my wet food, no matter how good it is. Don't ask me why, but I'm just really hooked on my Solid Gold kibble. I wonder what they put in that stuff. I just can't get eough of it!

Now the human is celebrating by watching a DVD of something called MST3K. Whatever it is, it sure is making her laugh a lot. She's been into cuddling bigtime tonight too. I came real close to kissing her. Well, I feel like a nap. Think I'll stretch out invitingly across her bed and vibe her into petting me some more.