About 10 years ago I discovered this great site, had a new Cairn puppy we named Angus or Gus for short. As some might remember Gus had an interesting baby sitter, an American Shorthair cat named Merlin that quickly became Gus's best friend. We'd leave them in the kennel together when it was to hot to leave Gus in the car and such and we watched in amazement as Gus and Merlin developed a really tight bond (slept together, Gus gave Merlin first dibs on his food dish for Pete's sake?). Four other cat's in the house and eventually another Cairn but it was Gus and Merlin always together. A couple years ago we lost Merlin to bone cancer in his leg, the Mrs and I were broken hearted but it was watching Gus deal with his buddy's loss that was horrible.  Looking for him everywhere, whining all the time truly a moving and unexpected reaction from a dog over a particular kitty's loss. Cat's all over the house but they sure weren't Merlin.

After a while my Vet suggested that to assuage at least the humans grief we probably oughtta get another cat, I quickly took his advice and and found a breeder for American Shorthairs and got on the list for a male from the next litter.  He arrived a year ago last November and turned two in August. Merlin was delicate and petite, "Pugsley" is a brusier who weighs more the Kat's 13 lbs already, he's almost 15pounds. This was taken real recently.

Pugsley arrived and the other cats hated him on sight of course, Kat emitted a low "stay away from me or you've had it" growl every time he got near her but it was Gus he took to and wouldn't take no for an answer! Constant love butt's where he'd bump into Gus and slide down his side, lying down closer and closer to Gus at every chance.

The other kitties learned to tolerate him eventually but for some strange reason it's Gus he's fixated on and this morning I walked into the back room and low and behold,  he's almost smashing Gus, just like Merlin use to.

Gus has grayed considerably and he has a serious case of "bus-hair" but he and Pugsley play constantly, Pugsley is slobbered all over about half the time and we are just watching in amazement. Maybe it's the cat breeding that makes them seek out Cairn companionship but so far we are 2 for 2. The best of all is Gus finally has a new buddy.

 

 

Edited October 1, 20168 yr by montdoug

A great story.

I agree, it is a wonderful story with a happy ending to boot!  That cat is beautiful!  The full frontal picture looks unreal, I couldn't stop staring at it--mesmerized by the eyes and that coloration. 

What a lovely story and how wonderful it is that Gus has a best buddy again. 

I'm seriously computer challenged and it seems a thread I thought I was posting in "Cairn Life" ended up here . Possibly  Brad or someone can shift it over to where it belongs, sorry!

P.S.

Gus was stripped a couple weeks ago although it sure doesn't look like it, he looks pretty awful in that picture and it's kinda embarrassing. Oh well, Pugsley doesn't seem to care LOL.

Very sweet story!  

pugsley doesn't look like he falls for just anybody. merlin returns!

Edited October 2, 20168 yr by pkcrossley

I remember well the video you posted of Gus and Merlin playing with each other. Sorry to hear you lost him - he was a lovely little cat. But glad Gus -- and you! -- have a new pal. Love his gold eyes!

Kathryn the flash on the camera kind of changed the color, actually his eyes are light green but they certainly look gold in the picture. I'm glad you remember the videos, I use to sit in the kennel and watch those two play for hours.

Again this morning Pugsley jumped out of the bathroom as Gus walked down the hallway, he landed on Gus's back then the chase was on. Great exercise for Gus and Pugs both. I'm still really curious as to why both American Shorthair's we've had have had this deep attraction to Gus? The attraction and attachment are reciprocal though cause of all our cats Gus has only related to Merlin and now Pugsley, the others he completely ignores.  What a gift are pets are, our whole life is wrapped up in cats and Cairns and we wouldn't have it any other way!