RANDOM REMINDER

Press, Volume CXII, Issue 33067, 7 November 1972, Page 35

RANDOM REMINDER

PURRSONALITY

This, without abridgement or embellishment, is the tale of a cat, apparently a naughty, haughty, sporty, spoiled sort of feline far removed in temperament from those which lead furtive, backalley lives. A North Island correspondent reveals that her husband and she recently holidayed in the far north. During their absence, they had occasion to leave their 10-year-old Siamese at a cattery and were apprehensive as to how he would settle down in his new surroundings. It appears that he didn’t. At home, he was fully accustomed to a cosy fireside, his own electric blanket and lashings of his favourite food — leg chops. Show weight for these blue-eyed aristocrats is 71b. The fellow in question weighs slightly in excess of 151 b. In short, his was a life of luxury. He did not take kindly to the cattery nor did those who run it. take to him. He spumed the proprie-

tary line of cat food offered to him and shunned use of the sleeping hutch — and blanket — provided for his comfort. He much preferred to sit and lie on the concrete floor of the large enclosure housing him. He felt utter disdain for his fellow boarders. And he wore an air of martyrdom. The owners duly collected him and were immediately aware of two things. First, his voracious appetite, and second, a small circular shaped sore on his right paw. They suspected it was a case of ringworm and off to the local veterinary club for treatment. It must have been a very busy morning for the man in the white coat. The small waiting area was crammed with people requiring attention to their pets. And, among them, a very small woman with a very large boxer dog. It was unfortunate for the owners of the Siamese that the only seating space available was, in a literal sense, within

spitting distance of the boxer—a hulking canine exuding friendliness. It was apparent that he was suffering from an eye condition. He looked, for all the world, as though he had been living on a liquid diet of methylated spirits with brass polish as a chaser. But the cat did not see eye to eye with him. It hissed and snarled, finally giving full vent to its feelings by lashing out with incredible speed. Then there was bedlam. It tore the corner of the boxer’s good eye. The dog tore into the cat. There was an ear-splitting mixed chorus from the other animals. Our correspondent sought the safety and sanctuary for herself and pet in an adjacent corridor. But she came to terms with herself, and eventually with the dog’s owner. The veterinary man diagnosed the trouble with her cat as a minor infection only. Cost for treatment $2.00. That, for continuing quiring attention to their the boxer, $15.00.