I got this letter yesterday from Sam: “Zip needs an implant, just like you…better take him with you. Their front teeth are broken off. He looks so cold and miserable, a poor, neglected cat. He needs warmth more than a scratch once a day. Ironically, an author who wrote about his love for animals doesn’t practice what he preaches…(it’s called fraud). Remember Pearl and Lenore?” – Sam
Ah, Sam, thanks for writing me and worrying about Zip. And thanks for mentioning Pearl and Lenore. Sweet Pearl went to my daughter Emma 12 years ago and became a much-loved dog in her life and all of Prospect Park, Brooklyn. She lived a long and happy time.
(Photo: Zip gets a softer blanket.)
Lenore died of cancer; I’m not sure why Sam included her in my list of crimes and shortcomings. I don’t spend too much time keeping my dogs alive when they are suffering badly from cancer. No apologies there.
Sam is an animal rights worrier; we have learned that the truth sometimes does not come into that. We all see what we want and need to see, including me.
Sam and some other cat people were and are unhappy with me for not bringing Zip into the house at night.
I thought Sam and his fellow travelers might want to keep up with this latest abuse for Zip—more letters to send one another (and me). Today, Maria brought out a thick and heavy winter blanket to go on what is now Zip’s favorite daytime hangout, right in the sun.
He loves sleeping there during the day, and she worried the blankets she put there were not soft and squishy enough. I think she fixed that.
He soon was asleep on that chair.
At first, I thought Sam was kidding; his letter seemed a bit over the top, but I’m sad to report that he was not joking. I get letters like that almost daily. I’m unsure which is more pointless, being angry at these people or feeling sorry for them. They can’t be pleased or placated. But they still are human and possibly even well-meaning. I guess I do feel sorry for them now.
Zip is forever trying to get me down on the ground to play with him. I’m afraid it won’t happen; maybe in Spring or Summer.
I don’t know much about cats, but I am very proud of Maria and me for recognizing the importance of a barn cat living in a barn.
Our love of Zip is evident to anyone who can see (and no, his teeth are sharp and perfect Sam), and it is a gift to take loving care of this creature while letting him be a barn cat. He’s good at it. And I’m all the better for it.
Rest in peace, Lenore and Pearl. As I’ve written, I believe strongly in upgrading the lives of dogs if I can’t give them what they need. My wish for them, like any good steward, is that they be happy. It’s my job never to let them suffer.
I’ll be honest with you, Sam. If Zip got an invasive and painful cancer, I’d put him down in a minute. I’ll never let a dog suffer just to make me feel better. Post that on your mailing list.
Geez, your pictures show a very happy cat. Sam is a putz.
If you dangle a string when Zip is on the ground, you don’t have to bend. And if he’s like most cats, he will love it.
You really have to wonder where these people come from. Zip is about the most posh barn cat I have ever seen! I had a cat that I took in from a neighbor once – she told me that he continuously jumped to the top of the door until she let him out. Well, I of course, didn’t believe that. Until, I moved in the winter, and he was an indoor cat throughout the winter. Once it started getting warmer out, I tried to keep him in – he bit a hole in my jeans pantleg so that I would let him out. There are some cats that just choose they don’t want to live in houses – either full-time or at all.
I have three cats and my youngest, tuxedo color one would loveto be Zip. He would stay outside 24 hours a day, rain, snow, wind. I for one bring him inside at night because of my fears that he will be eaten by some of our forest animals. However Took (that’s his name) hates me for bringing him in. Zip seems to have the best of both worlds, shelter warmth and love although they be on the outside. Took thinks Zip is a lucky cat.
Have been a steward to cats for nearly 60 years. I showed but never bred. I found homes for some of the homeless, and have adopted all of our other cats from a local and private rescue in our city.
If Sam would like to see some very indulged ‘barn cats’, I can take him to a couple of places in my area and show him how the majority of barn cats around here (Central NY) live. And it’s a pretty good life.
All Hail to Zip, beautiful tuxedo boy!
Thanks Susan some of them seem disinterested in the truth
Oy, what is it with folks these days? So many are so angry, brittle and looking for a fight. There are lots of ways they could direct that emotion into something useful but instead they just spew hateful nonsense. Zip is obviously living his best life…anyone with a modicum of common sense could see that…
Zip is an OBVIOUSLY healthy, happy, kitty. Does an animal rights person really think that animals have a right to dental implants? Humans don’t have that right. Humans don’t even have dental care as part of healthcare! (They should). You are a stronger soul than I am. I don’t think I could handle all that negative feedback!
Thanks Nora it actually makes me stronger
I don’t think Zip would do good inside the house. Just like my Tiger.
Thanks he’s not coming into the house
I thought Sam was joking too. Zip always looks happy and cared for.
I feel badly for Sam (sort of)…..that if he follows your blog……he isn’t more perceptive as to your life with your animals. I shudder to think of the amount of negative emails you receive….but……you have become more skilled at letting them roll off your back for the most part…… and using the delete button probably more than ever! Zip looks like he’s in heaven, as do all your animals….always….. none of my barn cats EVER showed even a remote interest in coming into the house, and I would not have allowed it anyway. I have had several indoor/ outdoor cats in the past…..but a true barn cat lives outside always….and is happy to do so!
Susan M
Thanks, Susan; I’ve been writing online for 40 or 50 years one way or another…nasty messages sometimes make me angry, but not lately. I think I’ve figured out how to deal with it in a comfortable, not tense or loaded way. The way the Internet is structured, there is no stopping it; the challenge is to delete it almost all of the time and write about it when I want to make a larger point. It is working well, thanks for the good words..It’s happening to everyone online, and I won’t be run off or angry about it.
I was once told by a wise person that if I kept the focus on myself, concentrating on my own personal growth, I would not even have time left to meddle with other people’s business. I have experienced this to be true. I don’t know what the background is of readers like Sam, when they post comments like this. Maybe we simply do not share their particular sense of humor? If they belong to the Gremlin Army, I congratulate them on the membership of that elite group. I will never join. If she ever graduates out of it, we can show tolerance and compassion with her suffering. If it was meant to be a funny comment, I would suggest changing her repertoire.
Ok. My questions is this? How the heck can he tell his teeth are broken? That’s stretching it a little over the edge.
Zip is a very lucky and happy barn cat. Pearl and Lenore were very well loved and cared for. I have read your books and I remember from your blog posts. Sam is a jerk.
I’ve never been much of a cat person. In fact, I am pretty allergic to cat dander, so can’t be around them much. But I have fallen in love with 2 cats. Zip is one of them and the other one, Cleo, belongs to a good friend of mine. Cleo is an indoor cat who started life as a barn cat. I think she would be happy either indoors or outdoors as long as she was fed and loved. I felt very privileged when she finally decided that I was a safe person whose lap might be comfy! Cats are very adaptable. I think that they aren’t far removed from their wild ancestors.