By Elisa Black-Taylor
Why doesn’t my cat Coral meow? I ask myself that question every night as Coral jumps into my lap for some quality petting time. I’d like to tell her story, and then I hope some of you may have some answers for my non-vocal cat.
Coral has been with us for over two years now. She was rescued from Greenville County Animal Care Services back in 2011 at the same time we rescued a cat named Jane. One of my friends from New York who’s very involved with GCACS asked me if I could take both cats. Jane went on to find her own family, but Coral has decided to stay with us on a permanent basis.
Coral’s paperwork at the shelter listed her as a stray. My daughter and I believe she was a stray, mainly because of her ears. Her ears were full of ear mites. We took her to the vet and got the medicine to treat her. She passed her physical as far as being healthy, other than the infestation of the mites. It took a good month to get all the gunk cleaned out where she’d have pretty ears.
Laura and I often wonder why anyone would turn her into the shelter. She never meows, always uses the litter box and isn’t fussy about her cat food. In other words, Coral is the perfect cat. Except she’s quiet. We’ve heard a hiss or two out of her when one of the other cats try to intrude upon her petting time in Laura’s lap.
Coral was often called our cat with no personality. That was before she let us know how much she enjoys chasing a laser light. It’s the first toy she’s ever played with. And she loves to drink out of a faucet. I’m more likely to see her taking a drink from the tub faucet than from the water bowl.
Coral is also beautiful. Not that beautiful will keep a cat off of death row. You all may remember Coral from the comment I made on Michael’s article here about being able to pick your cat out of an I.D. parade.
I commented on confusing Furby with Coral all the time. From the rear, they look identical to me. Laura says Coral is a slightly lighter color. And if I pet her I can tell the difference. She’s our softest cat. Her name should have been Cashmere.
I wonder whether Coral could have been feral at one time, since feral cats are known for keeping silent. Her ears were certainly dirty enough for her to have lived outside for a long period of time. Perhaps someone who just enjoys trapping cats and turning them in to the shelter caught her. We’ll never know. And Coral refuses to give up secrets about her past.
We’ve only had one other cat who kept silent for a very long time. That was Sealy. We pretty much know he was a feral. He still has feral-like behavior, such as he enjoys prowling for food. It was close to eight months before he ever meowed, and that was when he wanted out of my bedroom and the door was closed. He’ll also jump on top of Laura and meow for his breakfast. For the record, Sealy has the LOUDEST meow of any of our cats. He just doesn’t “talk” very often.
Any ideas on why Coral doesn’t meow? She’s healthy and friendly otherwise. I’ve never had such a quiet cat.
No. 😉 I think that she is too busy with her career and venues to retain cats. That is, unless they are “Cats.” Sorry, my bad.
prrmowr!
Meow, meow!!
Ruth (Your Monty’s Mom), I think that you just might be the Ultimate Cat’s Meow on these pages… You are certainly one of those, on these pages. I would like to see more pictures of your Monty. [I, sadly, wish that I could put up some of mine of my little Big! full-grown red tabby, and my almost-nienteen yr-old tortie MuckaLuck. You truly are the Cat’s Meow here, afaiac. And, aren’t we all. >^..^< prrrr….!…
It depends on the cat, Ruth. I had one as a child who went lots of places with us. But I have to remind myself that she was unusual. I can’t expect Monty to be like her. She came to the beach with us, but had no interest in the water, only in hunting in the wooded area there. There is a park here that has no dogs posted, but doesn’t say anything about cats. If Monty were more of a traveler I’d take him to see the ducks.
I swam in Lake Michigan a lot last year. This year it is as cold as your North Sea and will probably stay that way.
So Bryan had what I’m thinking of for Monty– a paddling pool with toys. I think Monty will enjoy it. If I can’t take him to experience new things I can bring novel experiences to him.
Can you paddle in the lake Ruth?
We once had a kiddies paddling pool in our garden for Bryan who loved water and we put a toy fish in lol he loved playing in that.
Part of the beach we go to is banned to dogs, they are only allowed to go to a certain point, I wonder what would be said if a cat went in that part? lol after all it doesn’t say ‘no cats beyond this point’
I think taking cats on a journey would upset them too much for them to enjoy being there, they like the familiar don’t they.