Etsy :: The Storque :: Etc :: Etsy Pets: Brawny Cats

Etsy Pets: Brawny Cats


Story by fireflygirl777 Published on July 12, 2008 in Etc	Photo by fireflygirl777

Deep in the Magic Forest of Arizona there is a property set back which is nearly unseen from the dirt road. If one ventures onto it the tranquility one feels is almost palpable. Stop for a minute and listen. All one hears is the singing and chirping of birds, the buzz of hummingbird wings, and the gentle rustling of leaves as squirrels and rabbits forage for food. When breezes pick up, the melodic wind chime collection fills the air.

Two humans and two cats inhabit the home, which has a wrap-around porch on three sides. The alpha male human is an inventor who came from a long line of inventors (his grandfather invented the folding box process and the first folding box machine). He spends his days in a separate building creating his own inventions, and has several patents to his name, with the most recent being for the world’s best electric heater. His wife is a nurse half the week and works diligently at her Etsy shop the rest of the week.

The couple lost many cats over a period of years because the wildness of the area has some major predators. There are bobcats, coyotes and hawks, always hungry, and always ready to make a meal of house cats.

The couple was very sad for about 10 months after their next-to-last cat went missing. The husband pestered his wife several times a day about getting more cats. Finally, the wife agreed, and decided each of them would have their own kitten. She decided hers would be a Bengal named Mica, a purebred that arose from the blending of an Asian Leopard Cat and a tabby. The animals have sleek, velvety fur which either sports spots like a leopard, or a mottled, almost tie-dyed look. She chose the spotted look. Her husband chose an alley cat of the same age, named Bart. The two would be raised as brother and sister.

The plan was to have a place where the cats could enjoy the outside and yet remain safe from predators. Thus the inventor created a wonderful outdoor porch in which the cats could play without fear of being added to a lunch menu. But that was not all — he added a giant wheel to the enclosure, and trained the cats to run on it for exercise. The original Bengal cattery had such wheels, and it seemed a wonderful idea. The cats run on the wheel off and on each day in their special covered porch, and have buffed up incredibly! The veterinarian says she has never seen such healthy cats! They spend from 9 am to 4 pm outside, and return inside and spend the evening basking in the glow of their health. They have never scratched a piece of furniture, they don’t smoke, have sex or get in trouble with the police. Mica and Bart do have one vice, though: a squirt of whipping cream each evening. Mica yowls loudly for it, and Bart stands by silently and accepts the gift.

Both cats have inspired the wife in her collage art; they are remarkable cats and are putting their human counterparts to shame with their exercise ability and commitment. The cats inspire the couple to forge ahead with their exercise regimens.
Would it not be wonderful if zoos had such giant wheels for their larger cats and maybe even some primates?