Friday Cat Blog

Frankie



Looking through old photo albums, I discover this 1979 picture of Bean, four months old, just waking up from a nap. His pillow, up until he got too old for naps, was invariably our family's first kitty, Frankie.

My Italian mother-in-law, citing old wives tales, had warnings that one day, "That cat will suck the breath right out of that baby." (Read with heavy Tuscano accent.) Of course, no such thing ever happened.

Frankie was the perfect, patient, childhood friend. He was chased, dragged, squeezed, hugged, slobbered on, dressed in old baby clothes, carried around, and totally adored. He was repository of secrets, a soother of traumas, a bed-warmer on cold nights, and a comic relief when one was needed.

Frankie lived to be 19 years old. He taught my sons about love and responsibility. He taught them how to care for animals and to appreciate the added beauty pets and animals bring to our lives.

He taught Bean well - he has just adopted a fourth Animal Welfare cat into his own growing family.

Now, go look at Friday Ark to see this week's critters, and on Sunday, visit the Carnival of the Cats, hosted this week at Watermark.