Happy Birthday, Chester!
Apr 4th, 2007 by Lynne
Fifteen years ago today, I got up early and discovered that Frances, the pregnant mama cat I’d found on an icy cold day a month or so earlier, had just given birth to three kittens: an orange male, a gray female, and a HUGE beige male. The beige kitten — temporarily and inappropriately named Buffy — was at least twice the size of the others. I eventually found homes for the two of them but kept the beige kitten and his mother.
It wasn’t until six months later that I realized Chester had been born without a voice. I’d always thought he was just a jerk of a kitten who was forever hissing at me. I found out that his mother couldn’t really meow, either. In moments of great agitation, she would let out a little squeak, but Chester can’t do even that much. He talks a LOT — just in a whisper.
The vet tells us Chester is perfectly healthy and in amazing shape for a cat of his age. Sergeant John’s fitness program certainly deserves some of the credit for that. :-)
Aww… poor little misunderstood kitty. :) Give him a “happy birthday” scratch under the chin for me.
I will, Kate! :-) He may bite me for it, but that’s just part of his charm.
You forgot the quotation marks around “charm”!
I just love his weighed-and-found-wanting stare.
Poor Chester. Good thing he and his momma found a home with you.
I wish my kitty wouldn’t talk quite so much or so loudly, but I’m glad she has a voice.
Chester has a way of making you question your worth as a person. You get this feeling that you just aren’t doing enough to make him happy. ;-)
I’m always amazed, Edie, at how different cat voices are. Some almost sound like they’re singing.