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Woooo-oh; the cats of Brixton

met this kitteh at bookmongers last week. s/he had obviously had a busy morning...

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That's Popeye. He's enjoying his retirement after a busy life.

Rosa the much loved pit bull died last year and the local mogs swiftly took their chance to colonise the back yard of the shop. After long internecine wars Popeye triumphed and staked his claim. He's always been a local feral and, being now quite elderly (in feral terms), was keen for a quiet retirement patrolling the one yard. The humans, despite being reluctant in their recent heartbreak to make space for any more four legged love (and in any case very sceptical about cats), gave them water during the heatwave and then, inevitably, started putting food out.

This chap had a huge hammerhead swollen face and one eye swollen shut (hence "Popeye") so they took him to the vet. The vet treated his eye and explained that his wide head and thick neck was due to massive levels of King Tom hormones.

Being a cat clever enough to rule the streets, conquering the human heart was a doddle. The sacrifice of occasionally allowing human interaction is small price to pay for his throne, warmth, shelter and regular meals. His face and neck are less massive these days (less need for the KingTom thing = lower testosterone overload) but he's still fiercely impressive in stature and bearing.

You can buy copies of his official portraits in postcard form at the counter.


ETA
I think he was known by other names by other shopkeepers over the years, but he's now come indoors at Bookmongers so he's got a proper name to go with his proper bed.
 
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Rosa went on holiday with Patrick and had some wild adventures (in Nova Scotia I think) including tearing out the tendons in her hind leg in a misjudged deer chasing incident (my brain may have exaggerated some of these details for my entertainment). She was a kinder and less arrogant dog afterwards, but only slightly less grumpy. I loved her so much. She developed a chronic endocrine disorder which eventually saw her off, to the great sorrow of Bookmongers and Brixton.
 
Goodness me, that's Tiger! Here's a pic I took 6 or 7 years ago when he was living at Brixton Foods on Market Row, next door to Franco Manca.

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He is probably my cat's Dad. She was born in the back of Brixton Foods at a time when he was the dominant Tom there. I might take her in to see how they react. She's very hostile/scared towards all cats except for one who used to visit her, who I think was her brother. His 'owner' happened to drop by when they were sitting under the same car. He was from another unit on Market Row, so he was probably also fathered by Tiger/Popeye. I wonder what tragedy caused him to leave Brixton Foods. He was well-liked there and given a special place to sit out front. The fishmonger opposite would give him scraps.
 
This is Albert. He lives on Saltoun Road, but not at no. 27. When I stopped to say hello to Albert, the postman stopped to talk to me. He told me how Albert likes to hang around on the street and chat with anyone who happens by.


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Actually, looking at those snaps again, it could be a boy. Seemed very Girlie IRL. Maybe non binary. Ive certainly lived with cats who were gay, so I guess non binary is also possible.
 
I saw a black cat with white moustaches in Electric Lane a few weeks ago, but not since. Young handsome fella, he was. Anyone else seen him?
It might have been a local Tom cat but this one was not young. He was spraying everywhere very smelly. Been on the streets a long time. He has settled with a local couple who got him neutered. He reigns supreme on their sofa a lot of the time. He's old so I think he thought it time he retired off the streets and found comfort.
 
It might have been a local Tom cat but this one was not young. He was spraying everywhere very smelly. Been on the streets a long time. He has settled with a local couple who got him neutered. He reigns supreme on their sofa a lot of the time. He's old so I think he thought it time he retired off the streets and found comfort.

Hello new member Denny
Did you stumble upon us while looking for info about local cats, perchance? :)

I suspect you’re talking about the chap in this thread here.


 
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