lcatszena

Chadwickoon Bella Zena Carmelynn

After Topper died, I had no desire to get another cat. To be honest, I was distant from the two that I had. As time passed, I needed something to fill the void left inside of me. I knew I was not trying to replace Topper but only to fill the empty feeling left inside me. I did lots of searching and finally found a group about Maine Coons. And there is where I became friends with a woman who told me about a breeder who had kittens. Lucky me, the breeder had 12 kittens. I saw what was available and was deciding between a silver girl or the blue girl with high white. Thinking the silver would be too much of a reminder of Topper, I said I wanted the blue girl with high white. So that is how I got my Zena.

photo by Carm Cole

Zena is such a sweet thing. She has stolen my heart. She is a very pretty cat but her personality has that beat. She tends to be timid and stand offish at first but as time passes she steals your heart. Zena is more of a one on one cat. She also is not chosen, rather she chooses you. She is a pistol and keeps the boys in check. She knows how to press their buttons and tell them that she is in charge. Her motto is I am woman hear me roar. She does not like to be held but when she is in the mood for loving, nothing can turn her off.

There is a big part of me that feels that part of Topper went into Zena when he died as he knew that she was coming here. She acts like he did, meaning she tells you when it is OK to be loved. She also does the Topper pose. That is where she crosses her two front paws. At first, I would uncross them but now I let her be as I know that Topper is still with us.

Zena has many funny traits. She is a fanatic when it comes to food. If I cook at home, which is very rare, she will watch with great interest in the hopes of getting some food. Whenever I feed the cats, she does a mad dash into the kitchen. She tries to climb up onto the kitchen counter and does not stop meowing until I place the plates on the floor. Quickly she runs to a plate and wolfs it down and then she tries to get the remains left on her brothers plates. By the way she acts, you would think that she never gets fed.

String is her favorite. If she finds any string she will chew on it. That is not something that I like as I am scared she could choke. I have numerous toys that have strings on them and she chews through the string before I can toss it out for someone to catch. Wherever there is string, you will find Zena chomping away. I guess she likes to chew as I often find her gnawing away on the cat tree covering. I cannot tell you how many bare spots there are due to Miss Zena.

Zena does not like to be held and she cries to be put down. She also is a wimp when company is around. As soon as the bell rings, she is on alert and when the footsteps are heard coming up the stairs, she races off to hide. But curiosity does get the best of her and you will see her peeking out to try and see what is going on. Give her time and she will come out. I think that it is due to her wanting to make a grand entrance and being the center of attention.

She is the biggest cat in the house now. She weighs about 13 pounds and she is only 11 months. Her breeder, Eileen, says that she should be shown at cat shows. That would be a great idea but Zena could not handle that at all. She gets frightened easily. It would be nice to show all the cat people what a lovely cat I have and how proud I am that she is mine. Thinking about it further, I do not need to show her to get titles or ribbons. To me she is the champion and she has been awarded the best prize, an endless supply of love! But who am I kidding, I am the winner as she is my prize!

Oh Zena, Oh Zena
Oh Zena, Oh Zena
Zena, is my girl
She is as lovely as a new found pearl
A cat so sweet and funny that is all
A cat that will love you ever more.

Zena, just a cat
Just wanting food and water and all that
And a long tummy rub is all she asks
And for you a kiss she will give.

Zena, I love you
I cherish all the moments that are new
I'll care for you each day that you are here
For you are mine have no fear.

I know my cat's an angel
For she watches over me.
Slyly, when her eyes seem shut;
At night, when I can't see.

I know my cat's an angel
For her ears protect my sleep.
A creak, a squeak, a footfall;
At any noise she'll leap.

I know my cat's an angel
For she curls up at my side;
A warning to intruders
That it's best to run and hide.

I know my cat's an angel
For although she hasn't wings
I'm safe and warm beside her,
Wrapped in all the love she brings.

-- Nancy Joseph