Chapter 6
Blackbarry
Blackbarry came to live at Meadowtop from a pampered existence. He was a house cat, but we later learned that he had been rescued from an alley when he was young. We explained that he could live at the farm, but that he would have to become a farm cat, since the humans allergies would not allow him to live indoors. He adapted well; we gave him special attention, and he soaked it up like a sponge.
He became our constant companion when we were working outside. He would get as close to us as he could and then stretch out for a napsometimes in the very spot where we wished to work. He especially loved the old wagon seatapparently it was a good place for a catnap.
One day he came bearing a giftan enormous black snake. The snake was so big that he was struggling to drag it. My mate says ANY snake looks enormous to me, but this one was big. Blackbarry laid his gift down by the porch and stepped back with a look of pride and expectancy on his face.
After the snake was disposed of (it was dead), Blackbarry and I sat down on the porch steps and had a discussion about gifts. He must have understood, because he never again brought another gift of that variety home.
Blackbarry had infinite patienceespecially when it came to baby kittens. We were amazed that he allowed them to crawl all over him, or how he would lie very still while they slept cuddled against him. No matter how rough they played, we never heard him growl or become cross with them.
Blackbarry was a people cat. He loved people and could become too friendly trying to get their attention. On one occasion, we were expecting a group of ladies to come to the herb garden. We were afraid he might cause someone to fall while they were trying to avoid his excessive attention.
My husband was convinced that Blackbarry would be very content in the milk house, if he had some amenities. I think my mates expression, if I remember correctly, was, hell just lay there and sleep, after all, that is what he does best.
In the hustle and bustle of last minute details, I forgot about the plan. My mate did not, and he dutifully carried out his part. Blackbarry was placed in the milk house with food, water and a piece of foam rubber for a bed. Talk about a pampered cat!
The ladies had just arranged themselves around the brick walks in the herb garden, and we were ready to discuss the attributes of the various herbs, when this loud YEOW sounded. Busy as I was, the thought, what was that? went rapidly through my mind.
The cry came again, and yet again, and out of the corner of my eye, I saw my mate scurrying for the milk house. Blackbarry was MAD. He had been trying to see out the window, but what he really wanted was to be with the ladies.
Thinking he could control the situation, my mate took Blackbarry back to his workshop with him. The first time his back was turned, Blackbarry WAS GONE; he had joined the ladies. He soon found himself back in the milk house. When the ladies moved inside for lunch, my mate, ever sympathetic, released him, but he was not a happy cat. He had missed his golden opportunity; the ladies were gone.
On another occasion, when guests were coming to the garden, the grandchildren were visiting. They decided they would take care of Blackbarry. I packed them a picnic supper and sent them and Blackbarry to the playhouse. They were so busy watching the guests out the window, that Blackbarry ate the picnic lunch and then joined the visitors in the garden. They didnt even miss him until they turned to eat their meal.
Blackbarry had one bad habit that we never figured out how to solve. When a customer would arrive to visit the Antique Shop, we had to be sure to tell them to roll up their vehicle windows. If we forgot, Blackbarry would climb in the window and eat any food they had inside. My mate has paid for numerous half-eaten sandwiches and even a box of donuts, simply because we forgot to check on the windows. He was well fed, but I suppose he just liked variety in his diet.
Blackbarry loved picnics with the grandkids, he enjoyed following along while we hid Easter eggs for them to gather, and just reveled in their visits, because he received constant attention.
He was injured during the winter of l997 and he never recovered from those injuries. We miss him greatly. Many cats have lived here since then, but none could replace our lovable Blackbarry.
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