Here’s A Cat Who Sailed The Seas. Roger That!

Frank and Lou are seasoned sailors who had no trouble handling their 42-foot sailboat together. However, they unexpectedly picked up another crew member in Central America. Here’s the story in Frank’s own words.

It will be seven years ago this Christmas that my wife and I sailed into Colon, Panama from the San Blas Islands. We were on the tail end of a four year cruise in the Caribbean on our 42 Ft. Ketch, “Sweet Lou”. We moored alongside a slip at the old Panama Canal Yacht Club, which I understand has since been torn down.

One of the features of the Yacht Club was a Hispanic/Chinese restaurant. It was a cruiser’s hangout for cold beer and inexpensive food. The owners of the restaurant fed leftovers to a large group of quasi feral cats. We were there on two different occasions and always saw at least twenty to thirty cats waiting to be fed. All of them were quite large and mean looking. One day while returning to our boat I saw a small kitten hiding in a hole in a doorway. The kitten would come out and beg food from passers by and then run into his protected hole where the larger cats couldn’t get to him.

I told my wife, Lou, not to pass by the door because there was the cutest little kitten there and I was sure (tongue in cheek) that she didn’t want to see it. Well she did see it and the kitten ended up on our sail boat. We never saw the mother cat and assumed it died.

We named the cat Roger Roger after a lady, forgot her name, who ran a Security Network from her sailboat in Grenada. She used the single side band radio and did an excellent job alerting cruisers to security issues. However she would Roger you to death, i.e. Roger that Sweet Lou, Roger, Roger. It seemed that every five or ten words would include a Roger. Anyway we named the cat Roger Roger.

Roger Roger was small, he fit in the palm of my hand. White with black spots, he’s slightly cross eyed; our vet tells us it is due to inbreeding. We took him to a vet in Colon and learned that he was healthy and just needed some good meals. Roger Roger got his shots and became our boat cat.

Preparing for our passage North to Tampa Bay we soon left Colon. In order to get a good sailing angle on the trade winds we beat due east to Portobelo where we laid over a few days. Roger Roger quickly took over the boat. We bought him a small harness and when ever he went top side he was attached to a strong line, just in case he went overboard. Thankfully this never happened.

Roger Roger took to sailing like a fish to water. With the boat heeled over with all sails set Roger Roger would find little nooks and crannies where he could wedge himself in and go to sleep. We were amazed at how fast he grew. We set up a kitty litter box in the shower stall, wedged it in with old towels, showed Roger Roger where it was and it was in business.

Our first overnight passage with Roger Roger was from Portobelo to San Andres, a Columbian Island a few hundred miles north of Panama. I held the midnight to sunrise watch and every hour I would leave the boat on auto pilot, go below to check our position on the GPSD chart plotter and transfer our position to our paper charts. The boat was lit with red lamps and Roger Roger would come out of his hole and look to play. He would nip on my feet and jump to my shoulder and peer at the GPS with me. It was in San Andres that he got his second rabies shot. Roger Roger wasn’t allowed ashore and the vet would not come out to the sailboat; we were riding on our hook. We compromised. Lou and I took Roger Roger ashore in our dinghy, secured to the end of a long dock where the vet gave him his second shot.

After a week or so in San Andres we resumed our passage north to the Island of Providencia, another Colombian island. (Roger never got off the boat until we reached Bradenton, Florida). From Providencia we sailed for the Honduran Bay Islands where we spent several weeks.

The father north we went the more hatch boards we had to put in the main hatch. When Roger Roger first came on board he was so small that he couldn’t climb the stairs from the main cabin to the cockpit. However it wasn’t long before he managed to crawl up the stair and get into the cockpit all on his own, without his harness. This called for inserting one hatch board which blocked his entry to the cockpit. But it wasn’t long before he managed to climb over the single hatch board and we had to insert a second board. And yes, you guessed it, it wasn’t long before he managed to climb over the second hatch board and we had to slide the hatch cover shut to prevent him from getting out unattended.

From the Honduran Bay Islands we had a very fast passage, thanks to strong trade winds and the beginning of the Gulf Stream, to Isla Mujeres, Mexico. By now Roger Roger was quite large and accustomed to life on a sail boat. We rode out a strong norther in Isla Mujeres and after giving the sea and winds time to lay down we left on a three day passage for Tampa Bay and Bradenton.

It was at the Twin Dolphin Marina that our voyage ended. We spent several weeks getting adjusted to living ashore, finding jobs, buying a home, and putting the boat up for sale. During this time Roger Roger learned how to climb up on the bow and jump down to the dock. He roamed the dock and made friends with all the live-aboards in the marina. He knew every dog on the dock and was quite friendly with them all.

After a couple of months we moved into our new home in Pelican Cove, Sarasota, Florida. We picked up another kitten that had been abandoned so now Roger had a Buddy. Roger Roger appeared to like his new living quarters. Lots of room. A three bedroom apartment gave him more room than did a sailboat 42.5 feet long with a beam of 13 feet.

Roger Roger still gets out. Can’t let him run around on his own but he goes for daily walks with me and stays close to me. Of course I carry a light-weight but long rake that I use to direct his movements. From the little kitten that I could hold in the palm of my hand Roger Roger has grown into a 15 lb sleek tom cat. He’s extremely playful and has a mind of his own. He’s very lovely with Lou but likes to play rough house with me.

From the movie, Airplane (1980):

Roger Murdock: “Flight 2-0-9′er, you are cleared for take-off.”
Captain Oveur: “Roger!”
Roger Murdock: “Huh?”
Tower voice: “L.A. departure frequency, 123 point 9′er.”
Captain Oveur: “Roger!”
Roger Murdock: “Huh?”
Victor Basta: “Request vector, over.”
Captain Oveur: “What?”
Tower voice: “Flight 2-0-9′er cleared for vector 324.”
Roger Murdock: “We have clearance, Clarence.”
Captain Oveur: “Roger, Roger. What’s our vector, Victor?”
Tower voice: “Tower’s radio clearance, over!”
Captain Oveur: “That’s Clarence Oveur. Over.”
Tower voice: “Over.”
Captain Oveur: “Roger.”
Roger Murdock: “Huh?”
Tower voice: “Roger, over!”
Roger Murdock: “What?”
Captain Oveur: “Huh?”
Victor Basta: “Who?”

Kids Want A Pet? Take a Test Drive First

So the kids have been driving you crazy about getting that dog, or that cute little guinea pig. First off, we all know that no matter what you say to your kids about the responsibility of pet ownership or how you say it, they’re kids and they’re not always going to remember to change the water in the bowl, or clean the hamster’s bedding or take the pup for a walk. And even if they do remember, they’re not always going to want to do it.

That means the ultimate responsibility will always lie with you, the parent. So if you’re not prepared to take on a fuzzy “child” then just keep saying “No”. But if you’re willing to consider the possibility of a pet, how about having the kids test drive their pet-parenting skills first with a virtual pet? Maybe you could draw up an agreement with your children: they fulfill their caretaking duties with a virtual pet for three months, they get the real thing.

A few weeks ago I adopted Rascal from FooPets.com, which has by far the most realistic virtual (I think that’s an oxymoron) pets online. I’ve never been interested in online games so this is all quite new to me but I’ve surprised myself by actually becoming attached to my little simulated husky. I feel responsible for him.

From a parenting standpoint you can monitor your child’s dedication to his or her pet every time you log on. There’s a care history that shows when you feed and water your pet, when you throw him a ball or groom him and so on. By interacting daily with your pet, you develop a pet-owner bond, which is shown as a yellow bar. If you miss a day, the bonding bar is re-set to zero. If you neglect your pet, then he will be taken to the FooShelter.

And that’s what I most like about this; though it’s free to adopt a pet, there are requirements and consequences. You have to take care of your pet’s health needs by grooming and giving flea treatments. You are also responsible for arranging your pet’s care if you go away. And the care of your pet is not exactly free.

When you first adopt you will be given 5,000 FooGems. These can be used to buy food, medications and things to make your pet more comfortable. Additional FooGems are earned simply by visiting and playing with your pet daily. It’s also possible to buy FooDollars but I think it’s a better test of your kids’ dedication to have them earn and make do with the FooGems. I’ve been able to feed, groom and medicate Rascal as well as create a play area for him and a mountain get-a-way by using just FooGems.

FooPets does its best to mimic the needs of a real dog or cat. In fact, in their adoption rules they state, “Your FooPet is a real creature that lives online. It will have a date of birth and a lifespan of 10-20 years, depending on how well you take care of it. It will age and act differently over time.”

Rascal is just three months old, so he has a long way to go. When he’s old enough I can even breed him, but as I’m all about rescuing the millions of abandoned and abused pets in this world, I plan to save up the 20,000 FooGems I need to get him neutered. And if I really want another virtual dog or cat, I can adopt from the FooShelter.

“Every puppy should have a boy.” ~ Erma Bombeck

The Christmas Kitten

photo courtesy ©2004 Alex Ringer, Israel

I once was a cuddly kitten,
But now I am a stray,
‘Cause when I was no longer fluffy,
They sent me on my way.

They’ve kept their big watchdog,
As he can bark and growl,
But I could fly at strangers,
If I caught them on the prowl.

I slink around their garbage can;
I mew outside their door;
But it’s clear from their behaviour,
They don’t want me anymore.

Now I’m cold and hungry,
And getting very thin,
What have I done to hurt them,
Why won’t they let me in?

I crouch in sheds and boxes,
In my bedraggled fur,
So shivery and dejected,
I cannot even purr.

They have another kitten,
Their childrens’ whole delight;
But probably next Christmas,
It will share my wretched plight.

“Man is rated the highest animal, at least among all animals who returned the questionnaire.”  ~Robert Brault, www.robertbrault.com

When Does The Brutality End?

It’s January 26, 1999 in Columbus, Ohio and a man adopts a cat from the Citizens For Humane Action. About a week later, he beats the cat, pokes out its eye, breaks its jaw and legs and leaves it alive, in agony and a barely recognizable bloody mess in the laundry basket.  Later, he calls his girlfriend and asks her to take the cat to the Humane Society and tell them that she found it by the road. Instead, she took the cat to an emergency vet where there was no choice but to euthanize it.

The cat shown above is not the one discussed in this article but another sad and unresolved case that ended in death for the poor little creature.

Supposedly, six or seven other cats and a puppy had been adopted by this man previously and were tortured and mutilated. In court the man pled guilty to a charge of torturing one cat – the one from the Citizens For Humane Action – in an apparent effort to avoid the publicity of a jury trial. For his crime he was sentenced to 90 days in jail (45 suspended), 5 years probation, mandatory counseling and he was forbidden from owning any living thing during the 5 year probation period.

Here’s the thing. Just how much of this is true?

You know, I’m as sickened and angered as the next person by the brutalization of any animal and when I first read of this incident on pet-abuse.com I thought it would be an ideal case on which to base an article. Problem is, I really can’t find any proof that the horrific acts occurred. What I have found, however, is an online diatribe against this man that smacks of internet stalking. Message boards are filled with hate and vitriol towards him yet no-one has offered any substantive proof of their claims.

Another side to this story is presented here:

http://www.knightsofliberty.com/lyingaboutshonrahrigwedontplayaround.html

Now I’m not defending anyone, nor am I saying that there’s no truth to the allegations. I simply don’t know what the truth is. What I do know is that all too often someone gets the wrong side of a story, or deliberately distorts it, and a host of well-meaning but otherwise ignorant people pick up on it and spread misinformation across the web in a heartbeat. And if this man is innocent, then what has been done to him is almost as callous as the acts he purportedly committed on the cats.

So, please, remain vigilant in your efforts to bring animal abusers to justice but do your research and be absolutely sure of your facts before you condemn someone who just may be innocent.

“Love of animals is a universal impulse, a common ground on which all of us may meet. By loving and understanding animals, perhaps we humans shall come to understand each other.” ~ Dr. Louis J Camuti.

So You Think You Want A Cat

So you think you want a cat but aren’t sure if adoption is the way to go. Maybe this will help…

All too often cats get a bad rap – from people who don’t know them. Cat personalities are as diverse as people’s but it’s not true that they’re all aloof or completely untrainable. Years ago, when I lived in a relatively safe rural area I used to let my cats out during the day but brought them in at night. I would simply go to the door and whistle (yep, just like for a dog) and they would all come running. Then not so long ago my husband and I had an old manx that we rescued. He was the biggest lover ever; would hang round your neck all day and purr if you let him. He was also the toughest and most protective cat I’ve ever known. He even tried to attack a neighbor’s horse when the neighbor came to show off his new filly. Point is, there are lots of great cats out there and when you consider that maybe as many as two million a year are euthanized, well, adoption seems like an excellent option. You can help save a life.

There are other good reasons to look for a pet in a shelter.

Your cat or kitten will already have a clean bill of health from a veterinarian and will have most, if not all, of its vaccinations, and at a much lower cost than the regular vet’s office. A shelter’s non-profit status and use of volunteers enable it to keep prices well down.

Adult cats will already be spayed or neutered. If you adopt a kitten, almost certainly your fee will include a charge for spaying or neutering when kitty is old enough. Again, the cost will be relatively low and the really good news is that your new family member won’t be adding to the local kitten population. And that’s not the only benefit of spaying and neutering. Spaying a female cat reduces her risk of certain cancers and prevents many health issues in the long run. Neutered males tend to be calmer, and roam and fight less.

Cats are absolutely wonderful pets. They are loyal, loving, playful and beautiful. Bear in mind, however, even the friendliest, most loving and affectionate cat will have a period of adjustment when first brought home. It’s crucial that your feline be allowed to roam and explore her new home and check things out. If kitty runs under the bed, let her stay there. When she feels comfortable and safe, she’ll come out.

Don’t chase, hit or yell; you’ll only cause more anxiety and a frightened cat may strike out with teeth and claws. (Think of it from your cat’s perspective. You’re in prison. You get dragged from your cell and put in a box. You’re driven away who knows where. Then you’re released into a large and completely unknown building with completely strange and unknown mortals in it. One of those mortals starts to chase you round the building. You’re backed into a corner with a giant hand reaching out for you. Wouldn’t you bite it?).  So be patient.  If you know what signs to look for, it’s easy to prevent scratching and biting. Tail twitching, dilated pupils, flat ears, and growling or hissing are all signs that you should back off.

Do use a gentle voice, tasty treats and catnip toys to coax your cat to you and to begin building a solid, trusting relationship. It’s okay to discourage unwanted or aggressive behaviors, but don’t do this through physical punishment. A firm “No” works wonders. With cats, tone is much more important than volume. They can read your tone of voice and will quickly pick up on your signals.

A cat can bring much joy and love into your life. So brighten your home and your life, and save a life.

Adopt a cat. Search Petfinder now to find your perfect match.