Merps, the Grandcat

Merps grew up to look like a kitten

                Some days we have an extra cat.  He comes over for playdates with Toby.   I guess you’d call him our grandcat since he’s one of my daughter and her fiancé’s rescue projects.   He has a real name that I can never remember but we just call him “Merps.”  I know Merps is not a normal name, but if you met him, you’d understand how well it suits him because his personality is so very “merpy.”

                In the year since he was rescued as a wee kitten, Merps has been troubled by a compromised immune system and takes medication to keep his sinuses clear enough to breathe.  The effects of his drug regimen cause his “merpiness,” which I can only describe by listing his characteristics. 

                First, he is built like a tank but has never outgrown his round, babyfat body.  Instead of looking like an adult cat, he looks more like a giant kitten.  His extra kitten fat makes him roly-poly--you can’t resist sticking your hands in his fur to massage his pudginess.  It makes him purr on contact.

                Second, he is the embodiment of a “snot-nosed kid.”  We are always chasing him with a tissue.  Just like toddlers, cats aren’t very receptive to the “C’mon, just blow” command.  When he sneezes he never covers his nose so if you are in range, you will end up with green slime on your hair, clothes, and lunch.

                Third, Merps has a Dennis-the-Menace, follow you everywhere personality.  The other cats are okay with that as long as it’s not them being followed.  They view him like a very pesky little brother, but they don’t object to wrestling or boxing with him from time to time.  Henriette, on the other hand, doesn’t appreciate him at all.  I suppose if I were 6” long I wouldn’t want a snotty, overgrown baby trying to tackle me with love.

                I think most of the time Merps enjoys his visits and being “one of the guys.”  The only thing that really disappoints him is when the big cats get to go outside and he has to stay in.

                Between Merps and the steady supply of rescue cats going through our future son-in-law’s house, there will always be kittens stopping in to liven things up.  For the most part our own cats are used to the influx.  What’s another cat as long as there’s food in the dish and room on the bed?