When I hear 'news'(and given the option) I prefer bad first, followed with bittersweet memories and a few funny stories, to leave me smiling. So, with that in mind I have prepared as short story of Sophie.
She found us, loved Chester her dog, thought she was something other than a cat and believed she could climb anything and return to the ground by throwing herself into the air and landing, hopefully on something soft..ah but that was a long time ago, before she became - Sophie, the Ships Cat.
She had no idea.
Successfully making her way up the animal chain (in our home) to the 'proverbial' top, (our bed ) quickly found herself moved and living aboard H2OBO ...she adjusted well. As long as we were all together she was happy.
Never liking the engine noise,..but once we put the sails up and turned the motor off, she quietly lay down and sleep peacefully, a true sailor cat.
Sophie crossed the ocean, (in keeping with many a fine feline of old) an excellent first mate – keeping each of us company on our night watches, usually sitting on the chart table, and grinding her claws into the chart...and of course talking away about what she had seen and heard that day...dolphins, whales, fish and H2OBO gossip. Well the gossip was a little strange so I won't repeat...but whenever we were in some exciting circumstance, there she was, right beside us – literally. A furry bundle to hug and pet when you needed some comfort, she never said no..OK maybe sometimes she refused..but she was sooooo cute.
Everywhere we went, Sophie came too – whether driving through Bosnia, spending a weekend in Budapest or relaxing at anchor in Bermuda..she was there. Last winter however, we thought it might be nice for her to stay on a farm in Branko's family village in Croatia. Her new family consisted of Lydia, her Mom and Dad, a farmyard, 4 cats and a dog (who had puppies) – of course Sophie loved her new dog but was concerned with those other furry things called cats...she was never too sure about those guys. Sophie loved her new life. And to prove she was a worthy house guest would help in the barns(where the family kept animal feed) killing mice/rats.
Lydia’s Mom tells of a story, of going to the barn to chase away vermin, Sophie followed her and spent the day helping get rid of said vermin, 25 at last count, in 1 hour and...all on her own. She has always been a great hunter, enjoyed the 'stalking' aspect, and usually happy with her results. Her new family was quite taken with her and appreciated her quirky personality.
Sophie had never fought, but in her old age was having adventures she never dreamed of...one day, at the farm she met up with another cat (we are told the cat was visiting with one of the other farm cats) in the yard...Sophie not happy with this intrusion put up a valiant fight and came out of the scrap with a chunk taken out of her ear...Lydia said she now looked like a pirate...and had a little swagger that was not present before.
Sophie has lived an exciting life. The boat although wonderful was a little small and looking back we both feel her time in the village was a beautiful cat experience, one that she would never have had living on the boat. Or so I hope, as I would be thoroughly disgusted and perhaps living somewhere else if rats and mice were in such abundance aboard H2OBO.
Sophie remains in our memories, in my writings and in our hearts. Yes she was just a cat, but don't they just make their mark on your life?
Mag
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| Road Trip |
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| Dinner with Branko |
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| Sophie's berth |
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