Ptolomy

Description: Silver Grey Shorthair, Grey Green Eyes, Cobby Build.

Nickname: Pet Pet.

How he came to live with us: a tiny scrap of fur small enough to fit in the palm of your hand was found on a dirt track near Lark Hill. Lark Hill was the isolated stables where we adjisted our horses at the time. No other kittens where found, and it seems he was dumped. On the way home he was carefully placed in a towel lined box. Five minutes later he had all but clawed his way out! He stayed behind the bookcase (a gap we had only thought a mouse could fit into) until the entire house had been searched for him. Then he gave a tiny mew and Thea kin led us to his hidy hole. She then proceeded to mother him.

A gentle giant when full grown, he would play with any kitten brought to the house. Running and boxing, kicking and yelling, This huge gray house cat would not hurt a hair on their heads. In his great paws they where ever safe, no matter the noise level. It was incredible to watch as battle raged around the house, yet when the fur settled it was always to see mutual grooming and gentle head buts as they curled together for a nap.

He was not, however, a complete angel. He had perfected a trick - and the most well timed delivery of it I can remember will be talked about round the dinning table for many moons to come. After a long day of riding and enjoying the coastal bushlands a large group of Lark Hill regulars retired to our place to watch a Horror movie. Expecting the usual laugh a minute bad blood feast, we were soon gripped by an intense psychological thriller.

 As the tension builds, the killer stalks her victim, the music quickens, and a high-pitched scream rends the air. Every one of us jumps out of our skins as the yell is right in the room with us. Ptolomy has struck. Lying in wait under the armchair, he has picked the scariest point of the movie to reach up and hook his claws into Phil's leg. Long tall Phil had three kinds of hell scared out of him. And if Ptolomy wasn't smirking as he slid away into the shadows, I'll go east.

But the little gray pest could not climb for nuts, as is often the case with Toms. Although Thea and Starjumper both brought him prey animals he was content to watch the little creatures scurry to make their escape, much to the girls disgust. I miss him.

Sleek gray stalker in den's forest green.

Your claws are sharp, all senses are keen.

You hunt and play in shadows dark gray.

Thy footsteps are softer than any of they.

See thy foe in bewilderment fall.

My sweet feline is master of all.

Dance silk fur coated and whiskers long.

Let non harm you or do to you wrong.

For few are rebels of wicked mischief,

That could hold a candle to my little gray thief.

Come tiger cat, acrobat, clown and child.

Forever the Hero cat playing at wild.

Tame thee now and gentle as a flower,

Show me your bloom and withhold your power.

Lay your paw as soft as a dove.

And receive from us all our reverence and love.

RIP