Meet Bo!
Name: Bo (also “Bo Bo”)
Breed: American Short Hair
Likes: Being fed, walking over his mistress’s face at night, being petted and brushed, a cat massage (especially between his toe pads), napping, cat sitters (especially Evelyn, whom he has a crush on).
Dislikes: Any delay in being fed, fire alarms, the vet (any and all of them!), being left alone for too long.
About Bo: Bo is a D.C. cat. He came into my life 15 years ago during a visit to the city’s Animal Shelter on New York Avenue. I grabbed him after a five-year-old’s mother didn’t have a DC driver’s license and wasn’t allowed to adopt him.
Throughout his 15 years, Bo has acquired a number of nicknames: Bo Jackson (when he was considerably more lithe and athletic), and Bo Belinsky (an arcane reference for all but a few old baseball fans) and Ivan Boesky, when he misbehaves. He is also known by the monikers “Bo-ster,” “Bo-meister,” “Mr. Bo,” and “The Grand Cat.
Hard to believe for those that know Bo, but he used to easily fit in my hand. When he lived in Palisades and could go outside and (unsuccessfully) chase squirrels and birds, visit with the “girl” next store, be bullied by the local tomcat, and chased by the occasional dog — Bo was considerably slimmer. The move to a Connecticut Avenue building–and an unsuccessful experiment with a harness and leash–has led to a considerable increase in girth. While the extra weight may not be healthy, it does suit his substantial personality. Bo is both expressive and opinionated, and will “talk” about a number of topics. He is particularly adept at communicating when he wants you, and when he’s dismissing you. In the old days of answering machines, Bo was also known to press the “play” button and listen to messages.
Bo has mellowed a bit. He has taken up meditation (usually practiced at or near his food dish) and given up climbing curtains and chasing after cat toys. Like many of us, he now looks forward to a good nap and a good meal, and is appreciative of attention. He stays young by adopting new friends, like my nephew Graden, with whom he shared sleeping space last summer.
One final note. At Bo’s age, his version of wearing purple is considering the litter box optional. This seems to happen with greater frequency when his mistress has been out of town!