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In Memoriam
June 2001 - October 13, 2009
I’ve written a very condensed version of Merlin’s “story” and why I loved “The Chimera Vanity” on sight.
Merlin was the friendliest kitten out of his whole litter, that’s why we picked him. He was born as a barn cat at a golf course where my husband plays.
At about 6 months, he started to walk weirdly, losing his balance, falling down a lot. Our vet said that he had ataxia – his mother had distemper while she was pregnant and Merlin’s cerebellum didn’t fully develop.
He’s gotten worse over the years – he’s almost 6 now. He can barely walk, let alone jump. He used to be able to at least jump up on a counter and walk relatively well. But, his spirits are always great. He’s the happiest cat you’d ever meet and he loves children – he watches the kids in the neighborhood walk by and he just quivers with excitement. One of the things we always say is “everyone loves a Merlin”. You’d never know just by looking at him that there’s anything wrong with him – until he starts to walk.
Frosty is very graceful and an amazing jumper. They are good friends, but sometimes we see Merlin watch Frosty jump with a wistful look on his face. Or when they’re playing, Frosty will run and Merlin will be bumping along behind him, barely keeping up. But he’s having FUN – you can see it on his face! He’s a happy cat. He loves being alive.
Does he know he’s handicapped and can’t do what other cats can? Does he remember when he was more graceful and was able to walk and jump without problems? Does he get frustrated? Or does he accept himself the way he is and is just happy to…be Merlin? I think it’s all of that rolled into one.
When I saw “The Chimera Vanity”, I immediately thought of Merlin. Not only because the cat looking in the mirror is grey, but he’s looking into the mirror at a fantasy world where the other cat is just as pretty (I can’t see the grey cat, but I know he’s very handsome), but he can move and jump and fly with all the grace the grey cat – Merlin in my eyes - doesn’t have.
It’s the grey cat’s dream world and I wonder if that cat is thinking the things I imagine Merlin is thinking.
I attribute human emotions to all of my cats. I can’t help it – they’re so expressive and I can see what they’re thinking and feeling.
~ Written by, Lynn Myers ©2007
Another photo of Merlin and of his friend Frosty... |
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