And how I learned about my hybrid cat…

At the time, I didn’t know there was such a thing, as I scrolled through the wonderful selection of felines currently residing at our local shelters. I paused to look at few friendly faces, reading their descriptions. All cute. I kept scrolling, surfing… finally landing on a local Cat Café & Rescue site.  

Scrolling down, I scanned the current lineup of inhabitants at the café, finally landing on a peculiar little one named Shiraz. Cute enough photo, capturing her staring at the photographer while perched atop a Keurig Coffee Maker. Reading the description, I discovered she was found wandering the streets. She had some medical issues that were dealt with at the vet, and now appeared to be healthy and looking for her forever home. I continued staring at her, knowing we were meant to be. I just needed to get past the phrase that came up more than once in her bio… “She can be sassy.” For those unfamiliar with cat-speak, that’s code for “Mean.”

OK, I rationalized. I’d be a little “sassy” too if I’d been roaming the streets for a while. Truth is, I respect a cat with a little attitude. Before my husband could say I was moving too fast, I signed us up for an appointment to visit with Sassy … I mean, Shiraz.

Now keep in mind, that when a place is called Cat Café, I envision a cute little shop with quirky painting on the wall of cats in period pieces, with a barista refilling my coffee as a kitten jumps onto my lap with her purring machine revving. Yeah, that’s not it.

First, there’s a fee just to visit with the cats, and I get that. There’s rent to cover, employees to pay, and cats to feed, neuter and comb. As we stood in line to enter the little building, we were vetted as I soon discovered that “Café” is a bit of a stretch. The only thing resembling a coffee shop in this place is the Keurig Coffee Maker sitting inside a gated room housing a surplus of cats in every size, age and color. No little café tables, no soft jazz playing in the background. Just a coffee maker and cats. Lots and lots of cats.

And still sitting on top of that Keurig was my new best friend Shiraz.  

“I see she likes you,” the assistant said as I stroked Shiraz’s fur, making her purr loudly. “She usually doesn’t let anyone pet her.” I looked up, smiling just as a paw swiped across my forearm, creating an instantaneous flow of blood.

“Let’s allow her to settle down a bit,” my husband suggested as we joined the cat party with the other guests. As a petite Calico wrapped his tail around my arm, I scratched his neck, making him stretch for more attention. A loving cat that I’m sure will be a wonderful pet, I thought as I looked back at Shiraz, who was curled up on the coffee maker. A cat who appreciates coffee will also surely make the perfect companion, I rationalized. Once she gets to know me, we’ll be inseparable.   

While I do appreciate a nice glass of Shiraz, our new cat had to endure a name change. Living in the golf world, she was soon answering to the name, Bogey. With her dark ears and paws, it’s apparent that Bogey is part Siamese. But her tortoiseshell stylings on her face give her a unique look. With a quick Google search, we discovered that Bogey actually falls under the breed subcategory called Tortie Point Siamese. (Fun fact: Nearly all Tortie Point Siamese cats are female.) While some cat registries recognize the breed, not all do, instead labeling this hybrid as a Colorpoint Shorthair.

Not surprising, many articles depict the Tortie Point Siamese as being sassy (There’s that word again). Loving, playful, vocal like their Siamese cousins, and doglike. Bogey’s been with us for four months now, following me everywhere through the house, and always receptive to affection and cat treats. And yes, you can teach a Tortie Point Siamese tricks. Like most Siamese cats, she’s a darter when a door opens so microchipping is a must.

And sassy? I still have the track marks on my arms to prove it.    

By Heidi McCrary. You can follow Heidi at heidi@heidimccrary.net. Heidi is the author of “Chasing North Star,” available online wherever books are sold.

Heidi McCrary