What I learned about Frankie after 17 years.

[grace0418]

Raven's thread about her beloved Miles (safe passage Miles) got me thinking about my own sweet and elderly kitty, Frankie.

I've had Frankie (and his brother Beans, who died 7 years ago) since just after his eyes opened but before his ears were standing. So about 2 weeks old. He was so tiny and achingly cute, like a kitten you'd see on a cheesy calendar. It was love at first sight when I found them abandoned by a mother who got locked out of a house under construction. I fed them with little bottles and made little steps to the litter box because they were too small to climb in unassisted.

Frankie has always been a sensitive sort. Not a cat who hides or is afraid of people (in fact, he's the friendliest, most affectionate, most outgoing cat I've ever known), just sensitive to things around him. He hates whistling for some reason, and will yell at you if you do it. He also vocalizes when you sneeze and I always thought that he didn't like sneezing either, even though the vocalization is different than his whistling reaction.

But today the windows were open and there were children playing outside. We live in the city and there are always lots of noises and kids and trucks, so that doesn't really bother him. But one small child started crying and it sounded a bit like when a cat does that long, melancholy yowl. Frankie, who had been sleeping on his little carpet tower next to my desk (see the photo below), woke up and ran to the window in the other room. Then he came running back into my office and meowed the same way he does when I sneeze. Then he ran back out to the window. He kept doing this until I got up and followed him to the window.

It occurred to me then that he was really concerned about whatever creature was making that noise and seemed to want to help in some way. So maybe when I sneeze he's actually worried about me. All these years I thought he was annoyed but now I think he was asking if I was okay.

It shouldn't surprise me because when I'm really sad or not feeling well, he will get on my lap and put a paw on my cheek. But still, what a lesson in compassion from an animal who is not supposed to be any more intelligent than an 18-month-old human baby. He has more compassion than the average Teabagger, that's for sure.

Anyway, thanks for reading. Here are a couple of photos of Frankie. The one is his usual perch while I work. He doesn't really fit but doesn't care. One of the things I love most about working at home is having him by my side all day. The other photo is Frankie guarding the basil plant I was trying to root.

[Tuesday Afternoon]

1. Frankie is a gorgeous

and gentle soul.

[grace0418]

4. Thank you TA. He's starting to show signs of his pretty advanced age but he's

still pretty darn sprightly and handsome. And he his kind and loving. I don't think I've met a living creature sweeter than that little guy.

[Kali]

2. aww

sweet story

funny pic on his perch

[grace0418]

5. Thanks Kali

I know, that photo cracks me up. He just loves that little tower, I don't know why.

[CaliforniaPeggy]

3. My dear grace0418!

What a beautiful boy he is! A wise and gentle soul...

Thanks for sharing your story with us.

I had never heard of a cat doing such a thing!

:hi:

[grace0418]

8. Thanks CP!

I love him so much it makes my chest ache. I've never really known another cat like him. He's like pure love wrapped in chubby and fur. Everyone who meets him can't believe how friendly and sweet he is.

Thank YOU for reading my story.

[Flaxbee]

6. Frankie's lovely

and so was your story. Thank you for posting it.

I work from home a lot, too, and love having my cats around. I was just looking at photos of my beloved Tommycat who died Feb. 09, I miss that boy so much my heart hurts. They're wonderful creatures.

Interestingly, our big bruiser Ivan comes running if you whistle. They're all so unique.

I hope you and Frankie have many happy years together.

[grace0418]

9. Thanks Flaxbee. I'm sorry about your Tommycat. It took me (and Frankie) years

to get over the death of Frankie's brother. I still miss him. But when Frankie goes, I'm really going to be a wreck. He's a once-in-a-lifetime pet I think. I told him he has to live to be 25, but honestly, I think his time is coming sooner than I'd like. Still, I'm grateful for every minute I've had with him.

He used to come when you call, but I think his hearing is starting to go. Whistling does bring him running as well, but mostly just to tell you to knock it off. ;)

I wish the same for you and yours!

:hi:

[Flaxbee]

11. I hate to say this, but

Tommy made it to 17 hale and hearty, and then kidney failure kicked in. I kept him going too long, I just couldn't take him on that last long drive to a place he hated. :cry: I hope he has forgiven me for being selfish and weak.

Anyway - I understand what you mean about "once in a lifetime". I love my current batch of cats very much, and one in particular is quite close to me, but Tommy was the kitty boy love of my life. Don't know how else to put it.

:hug: to you and Frankie.

[grace0418]

14. That's okay, I know my time with him is limited.

He already had diabetes and beat it, but his kidneys suffered damage. Kidney failure is the most common way to go for cats according to my vet. I'll try to be strong and take him in when he's no longer able to enjoy life. :(

[grace0418]

15. Oh, and hugs to you too.

I'm sure he has forgiven you, he knows you just wanted more time with his sweet self.

[kimi]

7. Aw, he sounds like my Mitts cat

Whenever I cry or am upset, Mitts will climb up beside me and reach out with his polydactyl paws to touch my face. He's done that ever since I brought him into our house as a stray 8 years ago, and does it to this day. I treasure him for that. As he's gotten older, and I think closer to his mortality, he tends to want to touch me more - he'll climb into my lap and reach out to my face even if I'm not upset. I've never had another cat do that, it really is special.

So nice to hear about your Frankie. We can never know what these kitties think and feel when they hear distress or odd sounds from humans. That they connect at all with us is a wonder. Give your Frankie a scritch for me. :)

[grace0418]

10. Isn't that paw to the cheek thing the best? I swear my heart just about bursts when he

does it. I'm glad Mitts does that, too, it is incredibly heartwarming. Kiss those polydactyl paws for me.

I think Frankie wants to be held even more as he gets older too. I'm pretty sure I could put him in one of those baby carriers and he'd be perfectly content.

[WillParkinson]

12. Beautiful kitty!

Thank you for allowing us to meet. :-)

[grace0418]

13. Thank you for reading.

He's next to me right now asking for his breakfast, I'll be sure to tell him he has a few fans. :hi:

[driver8]

16. What a wonderful post...

Loved the photos of Frankie, too!

Thanks for sharing this with us.

[grace0418]

17. Thanks driver8

Thanks for reading. I know I'm biased but I think Frankie is pretty amazing. I feel so lucky to have him in my life.