Tabby Tom

 Tabby Tom

We have an old tom cat that has been visiting our stables for years.  He's got a torn ear, a crooked tail and a bent toe.  The toe is probably what causes him to limp.  Since he is a tabby, we have given him the completely uncreative name of Tabby Tom.

People, including us, have been feeding him, but he is very shy.  When he was eating, we could just pet his head, and he tolerated it because he wanted his food.

He is a very polite cat, and usually tolerates the other barn cats.  He isn't as demanding when it comes to food.  He just waits quietly.  Since he is coming around more regularly and getting proper nutrition, he is looking less scraggly, and I think he is quite a handsome little guy.

Ellen has had two recent tragedies in her life.  Both her horse, Ranger, and her beloved cat, Stormy, died.  That caused two things.  She now has more time on her hands at the barn, and she misses spending time with cats.  She comes out before me to clean the stalls and spends the rest of the time taking care of the barn cats.

The first thing she did was tame the black kitten.  One of the barn cats, Boyd, is a solid black, short-haired cat.  He is really a friendly guy.  Well, one day, an older black kitten showed up who looks just like Boyd.  We call her Mini Boyd.  She was hungry, but afraid.  Ellen fed her and spent time with her.  Before we knew it, she could pet her--and now she picks her up and puts her on her lap.  Mini Boyd loves the attention.

We weren't at all surprised, since she was a young cat, we knew there was a pretty good chance that she could learn to like people.

What did surprise me was when Ellen told me she could pet Tabby Tom--and he loved it.  I was shocked--but very happy about it.  At the very next opportunity, she showed me.  She talked to him and slowly approached him.  Before I knew it, she was rubbing his head and petting his back.  The look on his face was priceless!  I have never seen a cat beaming with so much joy!  When she stopped, he asked for more.  

Since then, I have also petted him a little bit.  I do have to bribe him with treats, at first.  He is starting to learn that Ellen is not the only one who will give him the attention that he has finally learned to love.

It just warms my heart to see him so happy!