Perseus, the cat with winged feet

by Karin
(Philadelphia, PA, USA)

About 13 or 14 years ago I adopted a 12 week old tuxedo cat and named him Perseus after my favorite Greek hero. He is what the vets call a "good cat" meaning he lets you handle him, turn him on his side, and crush him in a hug. I sometimes wonder if somewhere back in his family history, there is a rag doll.

All of my cats growing up were outdoor cats (indoor/outdoor) but Percy didn't seem interested in the big outdoors until he was almost two. At that time he got out and since then is the master of his freedom. He has been a superb mouser, squirreled, birder, chipmunker, well just a real hunter. A couple of years ago our vet commented that he had never seen such a healthy cat with such great teeth in a cat Percy's age. He said he thought all the munching on grizzle kept his teeth in terrific condition.

I do not live in a busy area, but my more recent kitties are all indoor only. I just had a little 7 month old kitty put down two days ago for feline infectious peritonitis, FIP. Today I was in contact with one of the country's main researcher in FIP. He was kind enough to respond to my email with information. It was not my fault. She was a rescued kitten which had been found in a backyard with her litter mates and a dead mother cat. She was exposed to awful conditions which you forget about when you see the happy playful fluff ball and take her home. Anyway. She was indoor only and it was too late for her. I am not planning on letting any more cats out doors. Perseus is older now and tends to go out to do his business and come right back in. When he dies I will mourn, but he is his own man, likes to sun on the picnic table and makes the rounds of the neighbors, then comes back in. Always in at night and wears a bright collar with bling to alert drivers.

Little Katniss as I named her always wanted to follow Perseus out, and I didn't let her. My worry was cars and foxes. Now I feel a tremendous awareness of the susceptibility of kittens to disease. I will be afraid to adopt another rescue.

I will attach some pictures of my Perseus and my little Katniss.