By: Todd Wheatley

"The naming of cats is a difficult matter, and you may think I'm mad as a Hatter when I tell you that each cat has three names ...." "Logan's Run" (c) 1976

That classic line from a post-apocalyptic thriller truly embodies the personality difference between cats and dogs. On the one hand, dogs are social creatures intent to seek their place within the pack. While cats tend to socialize on the basis of mood. The hyper Type-A cats may call for a hierarchy among the rank and file, but typically they are more democratic about leadership. If they have it at all. The combined effect of moodiness and lower degree of socialization brings about a broader range personality. Therefore the proper naming of a cat may take time while the descriptive superlatives develop.

Last year our beloved cat, Mindy (nickname/"pet name" Mi-mi) died at the age of 19. She had had a series of strokes over a two week period and died in our arms shortly after New Year's 2020. Heart broken, we discussed not having pets for sometime, but by the end of the next summer Marie became more intent on getting a kitten. When it became fairly certain we would have a new cat in our lives we battered some names about like expectant parents. After a month or so of non-starters, fate brought us a strangely docile blond tabby. His appearance is much like the ubiquitous Japanese "lucky cat": maneki Neko. So "Clyde", from the pet store, became Neeko.

After a couple of days it seemed apparent the poor little Neeko had been strangled coming out of the birth canal. Besides a slight breathing malady the incident seemed to collapse his voice box. Very soon thereafter the first superlative was added to his moniker. Our new kitten was now: Neeko the nearly voiceless cat. Then with the distress of pet store life dissipated and the hormones of adolescence kicking in Neeko would tear ass around the house for no apparent reason. Or following us room to room. So after a month of that behavior, a new superlative was added: Freaky maneki-neeko the nearly voiceless cat.

Early hints gave way to certainly. Neeko was singularly unique. As the changes of fall came in full force Neeko's occasional sneeze became more frequent. Since the oddity of a sneezing cat could not go overlooked the final superlatives we're added to complete the moniker: No Breathy Sneezy Freaky maneki-neeko the nearly voiceless cat / alias, Clyde Barrow the famous cat burglar ..... I mostly call him "FUR".

A couple of days ago Marie brought home a black cat. A friend for Neeko. We decided on Dominic or "Dom" for short.

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