Bob Thomas Writes

Raku The Cat

I have a cat. His name is Raku and he’s about 8 years old. Raku is, without a doubt, the most independent creature on the face of the earth. He needs me for nothing, but he allows me to believe that I’m needed. He allows me to feed him, although, he would find something to eat if I didn’t feed him.
He allows me to pet, caress, console and soothe him after a hard night of dodging the rain, or sleeping outside in the cold. But, he’s just fine without my ministrations, and I believe he thinks I won’t feed him unless he allows me to impress myself with how wonderful I am at caring for him. If that happened he would have to kill a duck and eat it raw. So, I don’t blame him for sucking up to me. These ducks looks nasty and I imagine they taste the same.
Raku spends his days sleeping on the walk, the deck or in the yard in front of my gallery. This gives him plenty of opportunities to be petted by hundreds of visitors daily. He doesn’t need petting, but I know, and you know, that being scratched, rubbed and caressed while your slumbering is, without a doubt, the greatest feeling in the world, . . . especially if you can keep yourself in that sublime state of half-sleep for a full day!
An extraordinarily good feeling is being scratched in that spot you can’t reach between your shoulder blades, or at the base of your tail. . . uh, His tail.
Visitors to the gallery over the years have gotten used to his presence. They ask about him and want to know if he can eat this or that. I tell them to try and feed it to him and he’ll let them know!
He doesn’t particularly like children, although he tolerates them. Up to a point. If they try to use him like a stuffed animal, he walks away. He’s never scratched or hissed or bitten anyone.
Mostly because the occasion hasn’t arisen yet, but, there are a few dogs that remember him well. Most are now called “Blinkey” or “One Eye” or “Snort”. Most of the dogs that encounter Raku are surprised to learn that cats carry knives!
Raku the gallery Cat. . .King of his Domain!