A Caturday Tale

Our cat Blink was born biologically male, but has always identified as a female. She has even taken the steps to fully transition (she's neutered). And what's more she's definitely the reincarnation of my cat from college, Clementine! Not only do they look very similar, but their personalities are the same down to the drooling when they purr. Blink takes walks with us around the block, and even goes on family hikes in the neighborhood woods. She never gets too far out of sight when we walk. A stone-cold killer to birds and squirrels, she whips our dogs into shape and charms every walker who comes by the house. She has a full, great life. But just like everyone, she's not without her share of heartache.  

Blink has a brother Flip. Inseparable even as kittens, they were never apart. Our "little cats" stole the hearts of everyone who met them. Even Grim and Atlas loved them and played with them. When we lived in the country they were champion mousers and snake hunters. 

Flip, decided to leave after we moved into town. Both of them relocated really well. They stayed indoors and took walks on leashes around the new yard until we felt comfortable transitioning them outside. Both cats stayed for months. Then one day, Flip decided to join the neighborhood cat gang. What? Never heard of such a thing? Well, on Pinecrest there is a local gang of cats that live in the woods among the deer. 

The lure of the woods and free roaming must have been too much for Flip to resist. He flirted with the idea for a while. We could see the change in him. Leaving for long periods of time. Inviting friends over that were clearly into things that we didn't approve of. Blink was interested in the beginning too. Both tempted by the life of total feral freedom. 

There were fights. We would hear them at all hours of the night. Yes, we were worried, but what can you do? You can't keep your cats locked in their rooms away from the world. They have to be able to make their own choices. We gave them extra attention and love. It worked for Blink, she decided to stay home and returned to hunting and lounging on the cars-- all the things good kitties do. 

Flip, on the other hand, doubled down. Don't get me wrong, he is the sweetest boy. He would suck on our fingers and cuddle with the dogs. When we would hold him he would groom our hair and Ross' beard. We would get pictures from our neighbors of him inside playing with their kids. We love him very much, everyone does. He just got mixed up with some bad cats. 

Things continued to take a bad turn. He would come home with bites and scratches. The vet confirmed he was getting in fights with other cats. His initiation we assumed. The assumption was more than confirmed when his friends attacked Blink. No fatal bites, but she was pretty beat up. 

After that we didn't see much of Flip. We think he persuaded the gang to leave his sister and home alone. There were no more fights on our doorstep and Blink was free to hunt without any incidents. She still has a small tear on her ear. Some scars cause more pain than the wounds. 

Some time later we started catching the occasional glimpses of Flip. We called to him. We wanted him home. I think he was finally coming to terms with his decisions and how they had impacted his life. He  watched us from afar and would run in shame when we reached out to him. 

I know this is a troubled story, but it has a happy ending! Although Flip didn't return home, he adopted himself into a new family. He's such a good boy again. He goes by Garfield now and is an indoor cat. We don't see him much anymore just the occasional IG or Facebook pic, but we know he's giving purrs and making the best biscuits on the block. 

And Blink? Well, she's the charmer she always has been, showering us with headless squirrels once a month and coming in at nights to cuddle up with me and the boys.