Marlinspike
Marlinspike is a two year-old female (her legal name is Acrobat). She left Toronto Humane Society July 31, 2015 for her High Park home, where we love Tudor history. Tudors had lots of black and white and a giant called Marlinspike.
On arrival Marlinspike hid under the bed for almost two days, taking no food, water or bathroom breaks, then suddenly rushed out, leapt on the sofa and brushed against her new assistant.
During Marlinspike’s first month she spent around an hour each day playing. Her favourite toy is the light-up bird on a stick, who has now lost his four long green tail feathers and has prominent tooth marks – it’s surprising the catnip doesn’t leak out of him. The light still works but he will be replaced. A pink ribbon is worn but much loved, as is a piece of masking tape, much licked. Three Alcan foil balls have prominent tooth marks. The squeaky bird, wind-up mice and wool balls are mildly worn. The tail which wagged incessantly is now calm, and sometimes stands straight up. Aggressive kneading has gentled and Marlinspike now purrs. Her assistant has no scratches or tooth marks.
Marlinspike will not eat anything unless it is in her food dish. She will sniff human food on a low table, but is careful not to touch it. She sniffs plants, but never chews or bites them. She does not jump on the dining table, kitchen counter or desk. Marlinspike has been trained not to scratch, but pulls wool out of the carpet when stretching. A scratch pad has catnip on it. She will sit and sleep on the scratch pad, and embrace it with her four paws, but not scratch it – yet.
Living on the second floor with most noises far away and well below, Marlinspike has lost many fears. Her trust has broadened from her assistant to friends and visitors. She likes her head and back stroked, and her fur brushed, but we haven’t got to tummy rubs – yet.
After a few weeks sitting at the screen door Marlinspike was allowed out on the second-floor deck, about 40 feet by 12 feet. This is surrounded by a glass fence and has trees nearby and plant pots with herbs, native and flowering plants. Marlinspike loves the deck and can easily be seen. She has no wish to go beyond the fence, and when not watching traffic on the street below pretends she’s a tiger. Green foliage doesn’t hide a black and white cat, and attempts to catch bees and butterflies are not successful. As weather cools and daylight shortens Marlinspike and her assistant are sad – we’ll have to enjoy inside until spring.
The vet, on her first visit, said Marlinspike was healthy and “a winner” with her shiny black coat. He massaged her rear and she didn’t wince at her shot. The vet’s assistant clipped her nails with no protest. The vet is literally round the corner, so the carrying case trip is easy.
The Kennel Café, also round the corner, provided food samples. Marlinspike eats the expensive foods fastest, but always cleans her plate and shows no effect when different types of foods are mixed in.
When the morning alarm goes off Marlinspike brushes, rubs, and licks her assistant, keen to pass on her morning joy and energy. Later she sleeps in different places, and at night plays with her toys and sleeps on her assistant’s feet. Marlinspike likes her current home, and her assistant is addicted to her. So no, you can’t have her back.
I was impressed with the care given at the Humane Society. Thank you for looking after Acrobat/Marlinspike until she adopted me.
