candleBlack Jackcandle

Black with white tummy. Chipped K9 teeth, but still long enough to worry you. Golden Eyes.

Nick name: Don't you dare!

How he came to join me: Just turned up one day and took over half the front veranda from Moggley. She was most put out and went to sulk in with Fire and Ice for a bit. They never became close friends, Black Jack would reach out and sniff her shoulder and she would give him the evil eye, however they did defend their territory together, seeing off the grey cat that was stealing Moggley's dinner and any other feline intruders as well.

.

 BlackJack, my sweetie

.

At first his fierce demeanour kept me at arms length, but one day he had a visible ulcer on his cheek that needed treating. So gathering my courage I prepared the cat carrier, some sturdy gloves and a food bribe, and went forth to catch him. Never met a gentler cat as it turned out. Goes to show about not judging a book by its cover.

The vet claimed he was a youngster, despite the chipped teeth. His anal sacks were so full that at first the vet declared him an entire male, but he was actually neutered. Their guess is that he was let out to soon after this terrible occurrence, and ran for it.

After Moggley left another stray came around and was allowed to share half the verandah (the half without Black Jacks sleeping basket on it, of course!) I called the new cat Pinkerton and she (as I eventually found out she was) would sit close by where ever Black Jack was and sun herself. I think she and Black Jack sometimes indulged in 'Cat Chess', where the object of the game is to be able to see every other cat in the neighbourhood, without being seen yourself.

He has one very bad habit. He chases dogs. At night he hides in bushes by the side of the road and waits for the dogs to pass by. Then he leaps out and it's 'Yip yip yip" all the way home. I am worried that this will get him in trouble one day.

OK, he has two bad habits. The other one is, if he is feeling hungry, and I am not fast enough with his dinner, he will nip my ankle. Never enough to break skin, or even to make a mark. But it makes me jump, nevertheless! :)

He sleeps under the verandah, and is a good little boy most of the time. J

.

Black Jack's Poem.

Black Jack my cat that is free, yet still comes to sit with me.
Before we met his life was hard, but now he can let down his guard.
With the calm of a Zen Master, he'll watch me put up board and plaster.
Fairy lights he's directing, guides cut-out placement and its lighting.
To get a bit of needed attention, he'll nip my foot, did I mention?
His two k-nines are chipped already, but he won't break the skin, don't get angry!
His nips are gentle, they will you charm, but give him a pill and he will you harm!
Under the verandah he will nest, or curl up in his basket to rest.
He keeps the house safe at night, by chasing off the dogs that bite.
A nasty fright is in store, for strays that sniff at our door.
From a bush he will glide, then dog seen off, again he'll hide.
What misfortune wrought this habit, to make dogs run off like a rabbit?
He won't kill birds, he won't kill mice - I think this cat is very nice.
He wont drink milk but will eat cheese, Black Jack is not hard to please.
You want a friend, I know you do - Black Jack, I'll be one for you.

m 

 BlackJackXmas

2002, Black Jack falls ill with CRF - Cat Renal Failure (Kidney failure.) He was near death but with the help of caring vets and an excellent Internet support group he recovered enough to live another week. Doesn't sound much, but in that time I said good bye, he got to come inside and sleep on the bed, I took some photos, and groomed and cuddled him. I think his last few days were not too great a hardship for him.

BlackJack and Pinkerton, with xmas deco's.

Black Jack and Pinkerton oversee the Snowman cutout's placement.

Be happy wherever you are now, kiddo.

Black Jack's Goodbye Poem.

I covered him up with a gossamer scarf, made from dark blue thread.
To show to all that my Black Jack, was not asleep but dead.
For he looked to sleep, about to wake, about to stretch and yawn.
But he was dead and never yet would wake to greet the dawn.
The scarf was light and barely there, so that should he yet astir.
I could see and take him up and pat his soft black fur.
But he is gone, my fierce gentle cat, and it is plain to see.
Black Jack is dead and he will not, come back to comfort me.

back

Back to My Pets Index

Links - m

 Yahoo's CRF Support Group - good people - http://groups.yahoo.com/group/Feline-CRF-Support/

Feline CRF Information Center - http://www.felinecrf.com/manag0.htm

Tanya's CRF Information Center - http://users.ouvip.com/tanya/

The NEW ACME Pet Board / Cats! - http://communities.msn.com/TheNEWAcmePet/cathealth.msnw