T. S. Eliot had it correct when he wrote the Old Possum’s Book of Practical Cats. No one “owns” a cat. In order to have a cat you have to respect their independence, and there’s probably more to a cat than you will ever know. Like T.S. Eliot, I am a cat person. I have had the pleasure of being “owned” by many throughout my life. Currently, my home is being occupied by two little black felines with multiple personalities.

Bonnie and Clyde came to us from our daughter’s family right after the Christmas holiday this year. It was a big affair. At only three or four months old, they were still small, curious, and full of orneriness. Fingers and toes are chew toys, all human food is to be sniffed and stolen (if possible), and no place is too small for exploration. Bonnie knows how to flatten her little body to get under any piece of furniture so that you have no clue as to where she is. I do believe she loves playing hide and go seek.

The morning hours are called recess. They’ve had a good full night’s sleep, and now they are ready to go. Playing hard is the name of the game, and recess for a couple of hours or more is the norm. They chase, run, jump hurdles, do high jumps, wrestle endlessly, play with toys, attempt to eat everyone’s breakfast but their own, and explore places they shouldn’t such as the counters which results in a reprimand. Oh, recess is the best!

In T. S. Eliot’s collection of poems, the old possum explains that cats come with two or three names (usually unknown to humans). I have been trying to think what names these two could be known by just looking at their behaviors and personality. With the way Bonnie flies through the air with the greatest of ease, jumps from high places, and does outstanding body turns in the air, I think she was a circus cat. Perhaps, she’s better known as Cecilia McSpirited. That describes her perfectly. Clyde is not as agile, but he loves his toys and stuffed mice, he plays chase and follows ribbons until you are tired but he is not, he’s a biter during play, but most of the time he’s a cool dude just hanging out or napping. I feel he’s Mr. Cool Paw Luke.

When it’s not recess or dinner time, Bonnie and Clyde sleep and sleep and sleep some more. That is until you have even a morsel of food present. The other morning, my husband brought me a breakfast sandwich. That’s always a special and infrequent treat. I was just about to take my first bite when Bonnie’s little face was on the other side of my sandwich taking her bite. We were face to face, each with a bite, and I was astonished. A little fur person got a major scorning. Just recently, Bonnie flew in the air and stole a French fry off my plate and landed on the floor. It was a toy at first, and then she settled down to munch on it. She sticks her head in your water cup, so now we have to have lidded cups, and even a crumb of tuna landing on the floor from my granddaughter’s lunch is fair game. In other words, she is a thief. Meet Ms. Chiquita the Cheater.

Although both are lovable lap warmers, I do see how a cat can have multiple personalities. I see how cats can have two or three names as T.S. Eliot says in his collection of poems to his godchildren. Both Bonnie and Clyde have many sides to them from ornery to sweet. Clyde can even be aloof if he chooses. He has that, “Don’t bother me now” attitude. Clearly, he can be the most reserved of the two if he wants. Hence, Mr. Haughty McNaughty. So, there’s our three names for each one.

I’m still more fond of just Bonnie and Clyde, the two gangsters from the 1930’s. It reminds me of the stories I always heard in my family about my great-grandmother selling whiskey to the infamous Bonnie and Clyde while they were passing by their area in southeast Kansas. It’s a great family story with no one left to substantiate it except the oldest cousins. True or not, we enjoy telling the tale to the younger generations.

So, as my Bonnie and Clyde have had breakfast and on their second round of recess, I wonder if you are a cat person. Have you ever read T. S. Eliot’s collection of poems called Old Possum’s Book of Practical Cats? Have you seen Andrew Lloyd Weber’s version on Broadway just entitled Cats? What tales do you bring of your own cat(s)? Until then….have a satisfying Saturday, be safe, and I love you!