It's a lovely saying about our pets, when we say, who rescued whom? It's expressing the depth and potential of our companion animal bond.
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| Bud Abbott and Lou Costello, always a package deal |
faulty math
They think it's giving cats free food and shelter. They say I get nothing back that I can't get from a stuffed animal.
I say, "I can imagine anything I want, so what do you need the stuffed animal for?"
Conversation usually ends there. Which is fine. It's not even discussion, it's bullying by real or pretended dimness.
careful handling
Something conceptual, like affection and gratitude, can be poorly understood by the neglected. But I'm not qualified to rescue them.
Bud and Lou were another story. They were a Rescue Imperative. From the outside it can look like all the rescuing came from one side.
It's a love story. So it doesn't matter, anyway.
bonded pair
They are seven years old this summer, and still difficult to tell apart at first glance. In personality, they couldn't be more different.
Lou matured early. He's our Management Cat. Friend to all, steady as a rock. A cusp cat, with both Alpha and Beta traits.
While Bud is a pedal-to-the-metal high Alpha. More curiosity than sense. Still the brain of a kitten. Always the heart of a tiger.
mr personality
Cats don't have to be alike if they have bonded hearts. I didn't know those kittens would become a comedy team, but I certainly don't mind.
Bud is trouble. Mostly good trouble, because his mischief is about sharing high spirits and good feelings. He loves to talk, and is still works to vary his vocal responses. It ranges from tiny cries in his throat, to forceful honks, which echo through his nasal cavities.
That's his Siamese showing, in more than his lanky build.
circus in town
I'm a pushover for an Alpha cat. They are bright and fun-loving, but slow to mentally mature. They do need more exercise and room to run. We also need to keep their brains busy, with puzzles to solve and electronic toys.
Lou grew into a sturdier build and a big head like a softball. He has a strong Beta social drive, a friend to all. His moderated Alpha traits show up in fierce play with Bud, and his slow, determined, relentless ways to get attention.
He rarely says anything, but when he does we know the need is urgent.
sudden kittens
We weren't looking and didn't think we needed any. But only a year after we adopted Bud and Lou, our situation was so different. The four cats who had greeted those kittens had dwindled to one.
Maybe it wasn't planned that we got them, but it was beautiful. Reverend Jim got to raise two more kittens before he passed. Tristan never had to be lonely. His golden years were spent with Rhiannon.
Our Beta girl is the netting that catches everyone. She helps Lou with management, tells me when another cat has a request, and became besties with our next kitten, Morgen.
divine queen
Lou and Rhiannon help me handle Bud. They play with him, share dishes and toys, and treat him as the lovable fool he is.
This is why I caution people about Alphas. As kittens, they are cheerful clowns who make us laugh with their antics. As teen cats, they a pro athletes. Always insistently and delightfully affectionate. As adults, we wait around, staring at our watches, sure they would have calmed down by now.
Adopting an Alpha Cat Type means being willing to outwit the Alpha Cat Type. As needed and for their own good.
instant fam
Reverend Jim was adored by both kittens. Our Kitten Wrangler loved young ones. Even though his lively times were behind him, he was still able to beam many lessons into their kitten heads.
He was the big buffer cat who kept them polite and learning. After his passing, Tristan and Bud became close in shared grief, following an upward spiral.
Though at first, both of them being Alpha didn't help. Bud was peak teen cat, while Tristan had finally slowed down.
recognized for greatness
From the first, Bud disconcerted Tristan, who expected him to make sense. Bud developed a deep crush and became his adoring fan, with Tristan the stalked celebrity.
Finally interested in dignity, the former fireball known as Sir Tristan would come to me and ask, What's wrong with him?
I would tell Tristan, “He thinks you’re the most wonderful cat in the world.”
Tristan couldn't help being flattered. It had the advantage of being true. Tristan had always been The Kid. Which naturally precluded much admiration. Now, he had his own fan base.
student appears
When Bud learned to calm himself down, he could simply be Tristan‘s friend. Bud did figure out good ways to tease him, using his love of sneaking.
Tristan would wake up to find that Bud's haunches were snuggled into his own. Or Bud’s tail, long and prehensile, was hugging him. All without waking him.
Deep down, it meant Tristan did like Bud. I would say to Tristan, "You see why I had to take him. He needs a team, a skilled team of experts."
Tristan would look thoughtful. Yes, I had made a good argument.
final triumph
I glimpsed a beautiful scene, shortly before Tristan‘s passing. Both lying quietly together, facing each other. Bud was stretched out with his paw on top of Tristan’s.
This was like getting a knighthood for silly young Bud.
While Lou went out more on his own, Bud never wanted to. Tristan allowed him to get ever closer. Bud would literally lie at his feet and let Tristan lecture him. I know they both liked that.
one last thing
That pull I felt towards these kittens has been repaid many times. There's also that Bud loves me deeply and without reserve, with utter silliness and complete seriousness.
I knew he had it in him. He deserves to reach his full potential. Instead of being misunderstood and unloved.
That would be a waste of precious resources.
Learn more about Alphas in Dear Pammy, How I reached my super-Alpha.
Listen for seven minutes to Keep Ahead of the Alpha.
Discover more ways of cat understanding with my books and services.
