"Shop Kitty" met her demise this past week

[Steve_in_Florida]

I'm sad to report that our amazingly social, semi-feral, little shop kitty has passed on. Evidence shows that she was hit by a vehicle last Tuesday evening, in the middle of the street in front of the shop. (Lots of hot-rod racers, day or night)

She had the same markings as the kitty in my avatar picture

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but she was a short-haired variety. We never heard her "meow", but she had a sing-song voice sound that she'd use if she wanted something. She would only accept adoration from "select" humans, and ONLY on HER terms! (typically in the office, near her food dish)

After work, hangin' out having beer, she would always join the "circle". She was definitely a member of the family, and she knew it!

...but, she had always been an outside kitty.

We had a little ceremony, and laid her body to rest in a sunny, grassy spot she always liked.

We'll miss her.

To the Departed! 

Steve

P.S. I guess the message to us motor-pickle people is to look out for cars that are trying to KILL US, and for cats that might otherwise get in our path.

[FJmonkey]

Did the Shop Kitty have a name?

RIP Shop Kitty.

[Steve_in_Florida]

Did the Shop Kitty have a name?

Al and Diane called her "Cat". I always called her "Shop Kitty", or sometimes "Puss".

Last evening, I realized that it might be better to go quickly, than suffering for an extended period of time (like renal failure or tumors or something).

Yes, she was a good kitty and is already missed.

Steve

[1tinindian]

I'm a cat person too, Steve. Have been all my life, and feel you pain, sorrow, and loss.
I know it tears you up inside, so you just need to remember the fun times and move on, that's what I have had to do.


Sorry for your loss.

Leon

[Firehawk068]

Sorry to hear about "Shop Kitty" Steve 

[Capn Ron]

Yep, there's a special place in my heart for the kitties.  Sorry to hear the sad news, but thanks for sharing some nice memories!   

[simi_ed]

Steve, I sorry to hear about Shop Kitty.  Like you, we had a semi feral cat that was adopted & indoor-ified at the age of 6 week.  She too was a 'on-her terms' cat, and it took 11-12 years for her to become socialable.   Keep looking, another feral will stop by!

Ed

[Mark Olson]

Steve , I am also a pet lover and have cats and dogs . Sorry for your furry friend , I know how those wild ones that hang around can get attached to you. I currently have a cat that visits me when I work in the garage and sleeps in my rafters ...likes to sit on the Fj and eats the food I put out for it . 
Also on his terms .

[oldktmdude]

   I was waiting for the "clutch rod" punchline. Sorry to hear about the cat. 

[Urban_Legend]

I am sadden by your loss.

I wish I had a "Shop Kitty", as I would love a cat, but my landlord says that it must be an outside cat only and a semi feral would suit this purpose. When my wife and I separated she kept the cat and I do miss him. I have a nice shed for a cat to live in and an FJ that needs company. Long live Shop Kitty. 

Mark

[yamaha fj rider]

Steve, sorry to read about "shop kitty". I know you will miss her.

Kurt

[The General]

It`s so easy to become attached to animals and their departure can be very real grief....but I gotta tell ya the complexities of intra human relationships can be strained as a result of these furry little characters..

My neighbour has six cats and at one stage nine! We are great mates on and off. (True story)

One bbq we discussed the merits of bells on the neck of kittys as a warning device for our beloved, wild birdlife. The next day I phoned her from our local ships chandlery to exclaim my finding of an appropriate Bell for kitty number 1....it was solid Brass from a shipwreck with the inscription SS something or rather and only weighed 100kgs!....I know I`ve got a sic sense of humour, but it was some years before our relationship mended.

It was my advice on how to stop a cat from spitting that bought on another couple of years of silence, however we have since had a couple of great street parties together, including Christmas, which of course is the time to be Jolly.

This morning I discovered the nest of a Papuan New Guinea couple (2 beautiful large pigeons that look like small Eagles, been visiting annually for at least four years that I`m aware of.) has been raided!...I had been showing their progress in life to my grand daughter over the past couple of months but today the couple are gone along with the chicks!!!!
Got out the extension ladder and all I could find is some tiny feathers, some furr and scratch marks!

Gunna work on my clutch today!!!     

[theLeopard]

My condolences, i love cats.

[Steve_in_Florida]

Thank you, everyone, for your comments and condolences.

Shop Kitty's last thoughts were probably something like:

     "Fuck! Ow! OW!!"

I like animals. Pets are good. Humans are suckers for pets. Cats, in particular, have it pretty good.

Steve