Mrs. Magoo

Allow me to introduce our cat, K2 Mrs. Magoo. Beautiful she is. More trusting she has become.

Five and a half years ago she was bequeathed to us by a friend who died of lung cancer. Her reputation was such at the time that she was the cat nobody wanted.

When Rod first asked us to adopt K2, we declined. At the time, we didn't see how a pet would fit into our lifestyle and, being mean and unfriendly, Mrs. Magoo certainly hadn't endeared herself to us.

Rod did try to find another home for her but there were no other takers or no-one to whom he wanted to leave his most prized possession. He sincerely wanted us to take care of his treasure knowing that she would go to a good home. We could not say no again. Two days after Rod died, early in May 2004, K2 came to live with us.

It was not an easy adjustment for any of us. K2 came with trust issues and we came with sharing issues; our freedom of movement had been curtailed. This was compounded by two humans whose love language is touch and a cat who didn't like anyone and didn't want to be touched. The adjustment wasn't just between cat and humans but also between M and me. I thought a cat should be raised this way; he thought a cat should be raised that way.

M and I don't make commitments lightly. This meant K2 was staying and we would all have to push through and make it work. In my 2004 Christmas newsletter, I referred to K2 as a single-minded monster. But by then our affection for her had already started to grow. Although she would've denied it, she had become more than just a little fond of us too.

Being a beautiful Himalayan, visitors to our home would be drawn to K2 and want to stroke her. We always warned them of her unfriendliness and to touch her at their own risk. One of M's first encounters with K2 saw her lash out at him with her claws because a third stroke was two too many.

Our greatest reward has been K2's trust of us and the change in her personality. We no longer have to warn visitors to watch out for her swipe. She is more responsive to affection and, although still not great with too much attention from strangers, she has learnt to walk away from the situation and not to attack.

Morrie has often commented that he can't believe that she is the same cat. Over the past five years she has become increasingly trusting, responsive and affectionate. She has brought us much joy and companionship.

Sadly, today, K2 Mrs. Magoo died.