Celebrating Caymus’s 13th Birthday: A Heartwarming Tribute

It’s the night before Caymus’ 13th birthday, as I write this. I just left him. He lives with my parents. Notice how I didn’t say, “He’s my parents’ cat” – because, let’s be honest, he’s my heart cat.

I hate leaving him.  I am always a bit down when I leave him.  He has the capability to instantly fill my heart with joy and glee.  It is for this reason that he is my favorite living Ragdoll cat.  He is a soulmate cat – a heart cat – and I so wish he lived with me.

Caymus graced the world with his presence August 15, 2004.  He was born at Bluegrass Rags.

Caymus was an afterthought for our family – we were on a hunt for a seal mitted with a blaze Ragdoll cat – who was Caymus’ half brother, Murphy.  Rags, another heart cat of mine and the reason for this website, was 15-years old at the time, so Caymus and Murphy’s breeder suggested we get two kittens, rather than 1.  Her thinking was that the two kittens would play with one another and leave the old man alone.

My mom only liked seal mitted Ragdolls at the time (she now thinks Trigg is the most beautiful cat she’s ever seen, so perhaps her tune has changed – ha) – so I asked the breeder if she had any seal mitteds.  She sent me a photo of Caymus, saying that he would do well with the 15-year old, given his submissive personality.  And so he did.

I didn’t care for Caymus at first – even though his coat was the most luxurious coat I had ever felt – I found it difficult to accept his timid personality – which was in direct opposition to Murphy’s outgoing personality.

It was an old boyfriend that pointed out the awesomeness of Caymus to me – and made me see him in a different light.  Ever since then, I have been obsessed with him.  And ever since then, it seems like Caymus really came out of his shell…like the extra love gave him more confidence.

Whenever I go to my parents’ house, I kiss and hug my parents and then go and find Caymus.  It is rare that I am not near him or holding him when I am over there.  At Christmas time or other holidays when I am over there for an extended period of time, my dad will usually say, “Jenny, put the cat down.”  He is somewhat kidding, of course…just remarking how long I hold him.  And who wouldn’t?!  Caymus is THE BEST cat to force snuggle – he will stay for as long as you want him to – but he never does so willingly or initiates it.

Caymus loves when you pull down the spread on my parents’ bed for the evening.  He rolls and chases under the covers.  And I love to “turn down” my parents’ bed for this reason.  When we travel to my parents’ lake house, I get excited to sleep with Caymus.  He is a good cat to sleep with – as he sleeps with me like my Rags did – occupies the other side of the queen or double bed.  Rags taught Caymus and Murphy many of his personality things that I was used to for years – and I love that Caymus and Murphy still do them.  So, Caymus sleeps perfectly for me – right next to me, within arm’s reach, but not near me or on top of me so that I sweat profusely.

Caymus loves food and before my mom had him on an all wet food diet, my older brother called Caymus, “a walking ottoman” because of his weight.  Now Caymus is a healthy weight and has been for years.

Caymus has an overall odd appearance – large ears and a small head for his large body.  Not the “ideal” look of a Ragdoll, in my opinion – however, he is 100% perfect to me and everything about him makes him Caymus the Fabulous.  Caymus is the largest Ragdoll cat in our family of 11 Ragdoll cats – he is the biggest in height, length and stature.  Hobbs may weigh more than Caymus, now, but Caymus still holds the cake for the largest over all bone structure.

I want Caymus to live for another 13 years – but when he does go, I want him to come back to me with Rags. Like my Rags, Caymus loves a Yeowww! catnip banana – so I got him one (and Murphy one too!) for his birthday:

I will be posting photos and fun facts about Caymus all day on Facebook and Instagram, so be sure to visit us there, if you’re interested.

Thank you for letting me share MY Caymus.