Kanmani–light of the eye in Malayalam–for that is what she has been named by the three musketeers–Ketaki, Dayani and Shambhu– is a stray cat that foraged for food in my parents’ backyard. But in the last couple of days, Kanmani, or Mani for short, has become as priceless as a a pedigreed Persian cat. Ever since mother told them that Kanmani is pregnant, they have been trying to make life very comfortable for the cat. The first thing they do when they wake up in the morning is to go out past the kitchen and to the woodshed to make sure that Kanmani is there, safe and sound. Maybe it is the lethargy of her pregnancy, but Kanmani has been enjoying all this newfound attention. She lies there on her side thick as a fish fillet all stretched out and her neck raised and positioned exactly for the kids to stroke it past the buttery stage. All three of them crouch beside her discussing her many beauties and virtues. Every sentence begins with a newly discovered awesome truth about Kanmani. Kanmani trusts us now! Kanmani is so fat she can’t get up by herself we have to lift her up! Kanmani let me touch her tummy! Kanmani is going to have four babies! Can we keep the babies please please please? Why does Kanmani love me so much? Kanmani is so beautiful! Kanmani’s babies need vaccination! They put a rope around her neck — she is on a leash now. The cat looks vaguely puzzled at all of this attention but is enjoying it nevertheless. Shambhu rubbed her belly and said “I can see her eggs. She has eight eggs.” “Those are not her eggs, Shambhu” my daughter offered, “those are her milk duds.” “Why are you calling them milk duds?” the oldest one challenged. “Don’t you know what they are called?” D. mumbled unspecifically “I know what they are called. But I don’t want to say it. Nipples.” she mumbled. “The correct word is teats,” I said. “Teats–that is what we call them in animals.” Shambhu kept pulling at her teats insisting that they are her “eggs.” He is very hard to convince otherwise once he has made up his mind. They would like me to get a nice box for Kanmani, some clothes for her to lie in, some cat toys, a collar, a five star hotel mat, some sushi, some dead mice for the cat to play with–did I leave anything out? It is good that Krish went back to Lock Haven and is not here to witness the endless touching and playing with a stray cat.
Kanmani update.
Because of the acute attention lavished on her, Kanmani absconded a few hours ago. She has run for her life, I think. She probably needs a place to quietly give birth. Anyway, it is a minor calamity in our house. The mood is very sombre right now. And they have written a *Missing* notice. Maybe a policeman will find her and bring her back, Shambhu said. That is right, the police really have no work to do in Trivandrum.
MISSING
Name :Kanmani/cat
Reward: 500 rps.
Description: White, and brownish black with a white patch on the back. Has a rope collar with red tape. Has a big tummy.( pregnant) Green eyes, has a very hoarse meow. Please find her.
If you do, please return to the address:
Number:
Sometimes seen with a peach colored cat with a very big stomach. Note: If you see any kittens with the missing cat, or that look like it , please return it to us.
-dayani,ketaki,shambhu
PLEASE FIND HER!
Thank you
