Tangy: Our Mishpocha

Tangy: Our Mishpocha
Mishpocha: An extended family member ~ Yiddish

“With the qualities of cleanliness, affection, patience, dignity, and courage that cats have, how many of us, I ask you, would be capable of becoming cats?” ~ Fernand Mery

Tangy: Relaxing ... ever the lovebug mimic.

“A man has to work so hard so that something of his personality stays alive. A tomcat has it so easy, he has only to spray and his presence is there for years on rainy days.” ~ Albert Einstein

Our American, short-hair, tabby cat Tangy joined our family under fortuitous circumstances and remains a valued member of our family. After years of hamsters, guinea-pigs and the like, my children were ready to graduate to something larger and so they asked for a dog.

King Tangy: They love me, I love them ~ now that's good leadership.

“If animals could speak the dog would be a blundering outspoken fellow, but the cat
would have the rare grace of never saying a word too much.” ~ Mark Twain

I grew up in a household where dogs were the preferred pet; we had lots of outdoor yard space and the dogs could run around and not need to be “walked.” We had different breeds romping through our homes as we moved around quite a bit for my dad’s work. Cats were out of the question as they were seen as aloof and self-serving. Tangy changed that perception and I am the better for it.

Sitting in a box doesn't mean box me in ... okay?

“I love cats because I enjoy my home; and little by little, they become its visible soul.” ~ Jean Cocteau

When my children asked for a dog, I knew we had to discuss the not so small matter of care; who would walk it, feed it, groom it, play with it, and so on. Any parent would relate to this necessary conversation. After we discussed the options, it became clear that we needed to compromise on the pet choice and care conversation.

The view from here ~ Mail those Tangy cat fan letters already.

“Cats are connoisseurs of comfort.” ~ James Herriot

Nevertheless, off we marched to the Elmsford Animal Shelter to adopt a four-legged pet. We had to visit a few times to be sure that our final selection was exactly what we prayed for. The shelter is home to a wide range of animals in need of an adoptive home and the staff interviews every prospective parent to make sure the right match is made. Once the interviews prove productive and a pet is selected, then papers are signed, fees are paid, veterinary visits are completed and a pick up date is arranged.

Tangy: I can listen to music and chill from here

“There are two means of refuge from the miseries of life: music and cats.” ~ Albert Schweitzer

On our third visit, my children had picked a black and white cat they had been watching on previous visits. However, it turned out he had worms and was not ready for a home until his treatments were concluded; there was no definite timeline when the “all clear signal” would happen so we had to pick another cat.

Tangy: Hello ... I'm new here and your name is?

“The smallest feline is a masterpiece.” ~ Leonardo Da Vinci

Tangy had been eyeing us on our previous visits as he shared a cage with “black and white” cat. I remember one visit when he jumped out of the cage when the door was opened, flew into my arms, and then jumped off again to hide behind a pillow on the couch placed in the middle of the meeting area. I liked his spunk and when we had to select another cat, I suggested Tangy. Indeed, it was fortuitous.

Watching and Waiting for one of us to come home.

“I’ve met many thinkers and many cats, but the wisdom of cats is infinitely superior.” ~ Hippolyte Taine

After the protocol was concluded, he came home with us and has been a delightful, smart, comedian of a cat. We often call him Tangy ~ the-cat-who-thinks-he-is-a-dog because he follows us from room to room, looks out our floor to ceiling living room windows in expectation of our return, greets us individually at the door when we come home, loves to play catch and rolls on the floor to have his back scratched.

Tangy: Why not learn a little spanish while I'm at it...

“A meow massages the heart.” ~ Stuart McMillan

He meows back at us when we speak to him or ask him questions, purrs when happy and growls when he can’t have something right away. He is a great mimic and we often find him curled up on the sofa, staring at a book, the TV, our desktop or an open laptop; it makes us all chuckle.

Love the Xmas gift ~ What's for lunch then?

“What greater gift than the love of a cat?” ~ Charles Dickens

Tangy is special because he always reminds us about unconditional love and how much he loves our family unequivocally. We are blessed to have him. Do you have a loving Mishpocha pet in your family? Do share.

Until Next Time…
Ask. Believe. Receive. ©
Elizabeth Obih-Frank