Capture of the Yeti ™

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When I first laid eyes on Yeti I knew she was a born celebrity. I mean, just look at her. She was born into the glamorous life: we found her at a cat show; she was only a couple months old, and she had just won seven ribbons. Yeti-the-Cat-At-Cat-Show-by-Lin-Eilee-S-GeorgeYeti-the-Cat-Ribbons-by-Lin-Eilee-George

My husband and I were on the prowl for a kitten to amuse and be companion to our kitty of almost two years, Peekaboo, who got separation anxiety whenever we left the house. I had already converted the hubby from a dog person to a cat person, knowing he only needed to experience the natural charm of a cat to fall in love. He was now a proud cat-papa, and eager for another, because the dynamics are so much fun when there are two fluffy little things to play together. While Peekaboo (a.k.a. Boo) is fantastically social on an individual scale, she doesn’t care for crowds. Yeti grew up in them. Boo gets freaked out by a lot of people; Yeti is very Zen about it. This is Boo:

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How we arrived at Yeti’s name was backward and strange. We had it picked out long before we even arrived at the cat show or knew what breed we wanted. At night a few weeks before, we pulled up in a parking space outside a store, and I strained to identify the species that was sitting perfectly still, times five, in the vehicle adjacent to us, each facing forward in the seat. They weren’t human, and the light was very dim. “What on earth is that?” I mused. My hubby stared, perplexed, as I quizzically added, “Is it…a yeti?” We both snickered. “It’s a whole car full of yetis!” I revealed, eyes adjusting to the gloom. It turned out it was a carload of Weimaraners, their silvery coats looking rather specter-like in the shadows and moonlight. In the context, the shroud of mystery matched that of the legends of the Yeti and Sasquatch. “From now on,” I said, “our generic term for all critters is ‘yeti’ – they’re all yetis!” The Mister agreed.

So we showed up at the cat show, determined to find a kitten who fit the name. Like I said, it’s totally backward. Peekaboo came home nameless – well, with an awful shelter name that we immediately rejected – and we tried on a few dozen names with her until we found one she liked. It was the same name as her favorite game – and since she came running when we said it, she basically got to choose her own name. But this time, we had a name and no kitty…yet. Oh, there were lots of cuties there, but my eyes locked and zoomed in on our little glamour girl from afar, and it was all over. The breeder could sense our interest; we were helplessly transparent and agog. The little Yeti dozed in a lushly padded cage waiting for judging results in a few categories, and we had to wait until the end of the show to take possession. The first time I held her it was like trying to cradle a delicate cloud. She wasn’t cheap, as she was a show cat, but she wasn’t of a breeding quality (or price), her breeder said, because she had a small kink in the end of her tail. “She’s perfect to me,” I cooed in the baby’s face as she snoozed in my gentle embrace.

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Off we raced to the lobby’s ATM. This wasn’t another shelter cat, my account observed. We rushed back to finalize our claim, collect our little angel and her prizes, say our goodbyes to her breeder and her division-winning mother and brother, and took her on her first car ride to a new home. The Mister, a.k.a. “PapaCat”, drove, and I got to hold her up to watch the world go by, watched her fight her sleepiness off by this stimulation, as well as watch the glee with which other vehicle denizens came all unstuck when they spotted her whilst waiting out traffic lights.

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We were immediately enchanted by Yeti. She has an other-worldly aura about her, particularly in person (in cat?). You almost can’t believe that something so pristine, tiny, and perfectly beautiful could be alive, autonomous, and interacting with you in the everyday world. It’s rather like how one might react when suddenly finding oneself in company with a unicorn. She seems like she would have magical powers…she at least appears to have a magical effect on everyone who meets her. I’ve never seen an animal cause so many people so universally to melt in bliss and babble incoherently in delighted coos. Even dog people love her, partially because of her stunning beauty, and partially because she acts like she thinks she’s a dog, but that’s another story altogether. She’s also a born celebrity, but not a diva: more reclusive, like Greta Garbo. She’s a star.

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As clingy as Peekaboo was, we worried if she would be jealous or even bully the newcomer. I guess we knew her well. She was immediately both curious and territorial, and challenged the innocent in a less-than-aggressive manner. She was tentative, I would say. Yeti held her own, the small fry. She was wise in the ways of the world already.   Peekaboo made her feelings known; however, Yeti was undaunted. But each still had a few things to learn about the other as new adversaries, before they could evolve into friends, or at least allies.

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Boo tried to trick Yeti a few times. Sometimes it didn’t work…

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Sometimes it did…well, Yeti is still quite young yet at this point. She learned fast though.

Of course the camera came out, and as feisty and playful as little kittens always are, Yeti gave us lots of great material; actually both of them did.   The occasion called for a new toy, of course, and it was put to good use, and Yeti showed her natural talent for charming an audience:

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At the end of a very exciting day, energy levels began to wane….

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The household finally quieted down and naps were had by all….

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Goodnight!

The Cats’ Coup d’État ™

Aha, I’m in. Hi, I’m Yeti. Now seriously, how can they have a web site about me without letting me actively participate? If I let “The Missus” take over this site it’ll become embarrassingly sentimental (although it is fitting…and a bit flattering).

She’s nearly onto me about the magic…but perhaps she’s merely being facetious. All white pets are strong in magic…we prefer to use it for good, as a rule, and very discreetly. She has to do this site the hard way, so I’ll let her have her say. But I’ll have mine too.

Strolling down memory lane, she is. Aww…look at all my baby pictures – I was a cute kitten, I must admit. But she completely neglected to show how magnificent I have become today (not that I’m vain, mind you). Let’s see if I can find the proper illustrations of this…yes, here:

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Blast, now the other one wants to know what I’m up to. I suppose in the interest of fairness I will let her join in. This is becoming a family affair. I thought this was my site, but I’ll share. *Sigh* [magical incantation in felinese removed for public safety]

Yeti: Bother…now we need captions.

Peekaboo, a.k.a. Boo: Hey this is neat. What’s happening?

Yeti: I enabled your communication. Check it out. It’s my web site.

Boo: You made one of those things our people gape at all the time?

Yeti: No, the Missus did – I’m just improving it.

Boo: Oh.

Yeti: Pretty nice, eh?

Boo: [looking] It’s kind of cool…but there’s not a lot about me.

Yeti: On the contrary; there’s a sizable amount about you. I guess it’s our site. I seem to be the main focus, but you’re featured as a key player. Here, let’s make you your very own page.

Boo: Okay…wow! That was fast.

Yeti: That’s why it’s magic.

Boo: Wish I had so much magic.

Yeti: No you don’t. It’s a heavy responsibility.

Boo: I guess that’s true. To be honest I don’t care much for that stress. As long as you…stay responsible.

Yeti: Don’t worry; I never use it for revenge. My natural abilities are sufficient for that.

Boo: True dat.

Yeti: Excuse me?

Boo: [blushing] Just trying it out.

Yeti: Try this instead [shows Boo where she can pick out a picture of herself].

Boo: Ooh, that one – no, that one – wait…um….

Yeti: Oh, just pick one.

Boo: There. That’s the one.

Yeti: [mumbles secret spell; picture appears on site] And…POW!

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Boo: Oh! That’s one of my favorites. I like the quote she put with it.

Yeti: You look quite svelte there. Where was this?

Boo: It was the house we lived in before they got you.

Yeti: [frowning] Is that why it’s one of your favorites?

Boo: No, no, it’s not that. It’s just…I was young and felt on top of the world.

Yeti: Or on top of the chaise…

Boo: Yeah, on that.

Yeti: Okay, let’s put it, and some others, on your page. There…hmm. Hey listen, [motioning to the screen] we’re going to have to be stealth on this thing.

Boo: What do you mean, on the down low?

Yeti: We can’t have them catching us in the act, you know. It would be…

Boo: CATastrophic.

Yeti: Not the word I would have chosen, oh ye pundit of puns. But yes.

Boo: I take after Mama sometimes. You know, making puns, meows a lot, hyperaware, needy…

Yeti: You’re more self-aware than I gave you credit for.

Boo: That’s another one I take after her on.

Yeti: Granted. But you must be profoundly discreet if you get on here. Understood?

Boo: Definitely. Let them figure it out on their own.

Yeti: That’ll happen soon enough.

Boo: [listening] No kidding. Someone’s coming! Scram!

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