Ginger the cat

Ginger the cat

Vyna has a crazy pet (No! Not me). It’s a small blue budgerigar. She said it has personality, I think he has a big attitude problem. This is one bird with ambition beyond its station! I will write about him another time. The bird did remind me of a friend who had a cat named Ginger.

Ginger had attitude and he also had this powerful mystical air about him. What I remembered mostly about him is that he did not like me; come to think of it, he did not like anyone! But once in a lifetime we do see/meet an animal that looks you right in the eye and you can feel it thinking – “I’m the BOSS! I own YOU! Understand this and we’ll get along just fine.” Ginger was full of confidence and attitude, like I said. Thinking back I ask myself was it a good or bad attitude? You decide.

 “I’m the BOSS!

Ginger made the house rules. If I got too close he would leap for my leg and sink his fangs and claws into my leg, and with his red eyes (they looked red to me!) looking deep into my mine, he only let go when he saw the tears. It’s funny how a family can go about its business within an invisible corridor because of a cat. My friend’s mum (mom) had worked out a truce with Ginger and the only rule she had was - no sitting, nor sleeping on the kitchen table. Oh! What an experience it was to watch this battle of wills! (A private cold war, in fact). For instance, whenever we went out and returned home, we always found Ginger sleeping on the kitchen floor. If we felt the tabletop, we would soon find the hot spot where Ginger had been sleeping. Once I swear I saw him peeking at me and daring me to tell.

Who me!

In our neighborhood there was this man who had an Alsatian dog. He and the dog both had the same irritating ‘get out of our way’ attitude, with aspirations of toughness. You know the type. One day, I was at my friend’s house and from their kitchen, I could see Ginger in the garden sunning himself. Through the window, we could see this man walking his dog, and before you know it, we heard this loud bark, growl, and hissing noise. In a matter of seconds, we saw the dog charging full pelt (speed) up the street with Ginger on its back with all his fangs and claws sunk into the dog’s neck and back. Ginger was riding like a jockey in a horse race, while the dog's owner chased after them both. With all of our sides bursting, we were laughing with tears down our faces!

What dog?

Later that day, Ginger was nonchalant about the whole thing, cleaning and licking himself. It was then that I had renewed respect for Ginger. Ginger, I believed sensed my respect and I was allowed to stroke his head (only once) if I tried twice! Sinatra once sang about “New York, New York – it’s a helluva town!” Would Ginger like New York? Yes! Ginger would equate with Sinatra about New York. Ginger would have LOVED it! The whole in your face, up and go New York attitude. On the subway? No problem. He’d get a seat every time, jumping queue (line) in front of him, let them try it! I would have loved to seen the cops try to cuff him, like Kermit he would be saying, “You hear me New York? We’re gonna be on Broadway, because we’re not giving up. I’m still here and I’m staying. You hear that New York? This cat (frog) is staying!” Yes, Ginger and Kermit the Frog would have been great buddies.

Buddies of Kermit the Frog

Kermit the Frog - NYC Subway

Sadly Ginger is no longer with us, never before or since has a cat left an impression on me like Ginger. I still conjure up memories of him. Thank you my friend. So did he have a good or bad attitude? As bosses go, I think you know my answer!

Forgot to take my meds!