Jan Marshall - Author recalls her much loved pet who appears in her novel A Curious State of Affairs
“Cats are dangerous companions for writers because cat watching is a near-perfect method of writing avoidance”
People often ask me all sorts of things about my novel - but without doubt the most frequently asked questions are about the cat in my novel, Henry. Readers adore him. Many people comment on how unusual and delightful it is to even have a pet in a novel, whilst others are nostalgically reminded of their own former cats. It is a foible of my writing that each novel has a cat in it - because I have been owned by some beautiful moggies in my time. Today I would like to tell you about:
HENRY 1985 -2004
Last week (6th June) it would have been my beautiful Siamese cat’s 22nd birthday. He died on 2nd novemeber 2004 age 19 3/4 years old (his body had just plain worn out). I still miss him. He was a birthday present (the best birthday present I have ever had) from an outrageous and controversial author friend of mine, Brian Plummer - who has also sadly died since, another victim to cancer.
“Cats are magical. . .the more you pet them the longer you both live.”
I first met Henry when he was just a few weeks old. Brian took me to choose a kitten from the litter of a friend’s pedigree cat. When I arrived I was enchanted by the group of fluffy creamy kittens, they were all gorgeous. But just one tiny little kitten came stumbling over to greet me - it was Shirotae Arctic Fox (with a pedigree much bigger than he was) - I later named him Henry (he also had various nicknames over the years which were used depending on circumstances: Henflea, Henpoop, Harry blue eyes, Henners, and many more!) It was mutual love at first sight for Henry and me, we never looked back.
“Every dog has his day - but the nights are reserved for the cats”
Henry came to live with me when he was about 10 weeks old. He just sat there (with ears two sizes too big, that he needed to grow into) looking scared and helpless - it was the first time he’d been away from his mother and siblings. He trembled and cried intermittently and hid behind the curtains every time anyone so much as looked at him. It was pitiful - so that first night he was allowed to sleep alongside me, in my big Victorian brass bedstead. It was amazing how quickly that settled him down - in fact I later realised it was a ploy to ensure that he could snuggle up to me every night for the best part of the next twenty years. As an Alpha cat he soon asserted himself by hogging the Lion’s share of the bed while I clung on to the outer edges by my fingertips.
Henry’s first day at home with me - above
Anyone who has read A Curious State of Affairs will know I dedicated the novel to him (as well as two dear friends who did of cancer) - and the cat in the novel is word for word Henry. My beautiful cat Henry lived every action in that story for real. He had an amazing intelligence and such character - and I swear he developed a really good sense of humour over the years - many of his humorous antics are in the novel. I gave him a speaking role - that is to say he utters “meow”- because like most Siamese cats he was extremely vocal. He had a different meow for demanding food, attention, comfort, annoyance and every other desire he might fall prey too! he was also a really good judge of character. The first day he was introduced to the man who was to become my husband , the pair became quickly inseparable; I felt quite jealous! It was just as well though, because I could never have countenanced a long term relationship with any man Henry didn’t approve of!
“The cat is above all a dramatist”
He was also the pickiest eater known to womankind. Gourmet morsels were sneered at and any cat food that came in a large can (indicating a cheaper variety) was treated with complete disdain. He would often sit gazing pitifully at the fridge around supper time, with an expression of near starvation on his face, until you weakened and served him the fresh chicken you had intended to have for your own lunch the next day. He was good at guilt - he could make you feel so selfish that you gave in every time!
“Dogs have Owners, Cats have Staff”
I don’t have a pet now; I couldn’t consider it for over a year after his death - such was my grief. I sometimes flirt with the idea - not to replace Henry (he was unique), but because I miss having a cat about the place. However, I’ve been offered a new kitten several times, but when push comes to shove I feel newly grief stricken and the thought of a new pet reduces me to tears for days.
“There is something about the presence of a cat…that seems to take the bite out of being alone.”
We still have Henry’s ashes stored lovingly in a beautiful wooden cask with a brass plate bearing his name. We had intended to bury the box but then we realised we could never leave him if we moved house. I was glad we made that decision because when we moved to our current (and final) home last year - dear Henry came with us: the box with his ashes sits in the study where I can see it every day.
Maybe one day I’ll have another cat…… maybe…
“People that hate cats, will come back as mice in their next life”
Posted in Author, Bereavement, Books, Jan Marshall, Life, Novelist, cats, human issues, love, quotes, writer
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