Steve Kovacs

Cats Go Well With a Little Garlic



Posted: Saturday, May 09, 2009

by Steve Kovacs
The Kovacs Perspective

I never liked cats. I did not hate them but I thought they were aloof, unfriendly, and simply did not like people. I'd jokingly say when asked if I liked the little critters, "yeah, I like cats, they go well with a little garlic", joking they'd be a good meal with the right spice.

About 10 years ago, when I was a police officer a stray cat kept hanging around outside a door exclusively used by police officers. I happened to be working the nightshift and almost every time I'd use that door, a cat would come up to me, stare and meow. Well, I never carried garlic on duty so the cat was safe.

This slim, grey cat apparently did not approach anyone else from our department. After a few nights of being meowed, I started giving it food. Then later, milk too. Then after more meowing, I started letting it into the police station where it roamed around but never ventured too far from me.

I happened to be the boss on the shift so there was no problem with the cat roaming around and the dispatchers loved the young female feline. Some of the dispatchers told me the cat really liked me and I should take it home and give it a good home. No, I couldn't do that I had plenty of garlic at home and maybe I wouldn't be able to control myself!

Well, you guessed it; I ended up taking it home and hiding all the garlic. The cat was filthy, so my niece who was an animal groomer was nice enough to make her clean as a whistle. The next step was to take her to the veterinarian. They gave her a series of vaccinations and did a check on her general health. It turned out the cat my wife and I named with an extremely original name, Kitty Cat, had a deadly cat illness, Feline Leukemia.

Our Vet told us she seemed as healthy as a horse and showed no signs of the illness; however, it could appear at anytime, killing her. We had a few options. Put her asleep, let her go on her own again or keep her. We decided to bring her home and give her all the help we could, when needed. The disease is contagious to non-vaccinated cats but we never planned to let her outside, having her as an in-house cat only.

Well Kitty-Cat moved in, became close to my heart, and totally changed my mind about cats. She was aloof, but that was just her style of living; nothing mean, disrespectful or bad. She was loving, playful and a great pet.

She was completely symptom free for six years. We treated her like a queen and she reciprocated in kind. One day she started to become very sick and went downhill quickly. We had no choice but to put her asleep-it tore me up.

I now trust myself completely around garlic and cats and I don't even joke about it anymore. I also stick up for the little buggers now and I guess you probably already know; I now like cats.

Steve is the author of Protect Yourself: The Simple Keys Women Need to be Safe and Secure. He is the host of the Internet Radio Talk Show, The Kovacs Perspective http://www.thekovacsperspective.com/ where he interviews experts in various fields, geared to help and inform. Steve also does on-line current events & political audio commentary.

Steve's background is in law enforcement, security, investigations, teaching and he is also the president of a small specialty investigation company: http://www.allsourcesecurity.com/investigations.htm. Contact Steve any time at:info@thekovacsperspective.com

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Top-level comments on this article: (10 total)
» left by Avis Ward
 2 years 354 days ago.
131 fans.
Ahh Steve, I thought you were just like me about cats when I began reading this. I don't like them, not fond of them and don't trust them. But I enjoyed this story about your feline friend and companion. The humor was nice, too. Sorry you lost her but she liked like royalty in her latter years. Very good read, thanks!
» left by Steve Kovacs 2 years 353 days ago.
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Hi Avis--thanks for writing, I appreciate your uplifting comments.
» left by Gary W. Halsey Sr.
 2 years 353 days ago.
51 fans.
Amen Steve, I love cats too. But I have always loved cats. I like how my little cat, he was a great cat, a silver tip Persian and I rescued him from a animal shelter, and his name on his tag when the animal controller caught him was "Morgan", they tried to find the rightful owners, from the license and tag he was wearing, but to no avail, they figured that he was left abandon, or wasn't around when the owners moved to wherever they moved to....So I adopted him, I called him "Morgue" for short, and I adored him, like you came to adore yours. I like how they pounce, like their bigger ancestors, and their overall independence. I am glad your cat had a quality of life that otherwise she may not have had, if she hadn't approached you....This was a great article, and a great story....wonderful read....I wonder if they have a cat heaven, I'm sure they do....Your fan, and friend in pen.....Gary
» left by Steve Kovacs 2 years 353 days ago.
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Thanks for writing Gary--yeah, I like em now and I like how you said that their independent-- (that's why they may seem aloof), and being independent is not a bad thing--as for a cat-heaven--I believe there's something for em just like us--anyway my friend I really appreciate your comments.

 

 

» left by Myla Madson
 2 years 351 days ago.
47 fans.
Not much of a cat gal and one of the kids is alergic but i do admire their strong will and do what I want and nobody is gonna tell me any different attitude. It is touching to hear a tough guy ex cop talk about sentimental things, thanks for sharing this touching story.
» left by Steve Kovacs 2 years 350 days ago.
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Not so sure about the tough guy thing but thanks for the nice comments--by the way OUTSTANDING web site you have and thanks for becoming a fan.

» left by Susan Thom
 2 years 350 days ago.
179 fans.
hi steve,
 
this was a neat article.
 
we have 2 cats, one sweet as can be, and one nasty as can be. the nasty one, with declawed nails, and going ourside whenever she wants, has outlived 4 or 5 other pets, and will be 16 this month.
 
thanks for sharing with us,
 
my best regards,
 
sue thom
» left by Steve Kovacs 2 years 349 days ago.
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Hi Sue—thanks for writing and best wishes to that nasty sucker you got there and here’s hoping that she lives even longer…

» left by Ken McCreless
 2 years 349 days ago.
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Steve, I LOVE cats! Fried or BBQ'd!
 
J/k! Cats are cool, but my wife doesn't like them, so ...
 
Great story!
» left by Steve Kovacs 2 years 349 days ago.
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Hi Ken—I almost fell out of my chair when I read your first line—ha-ha—thanks for writing I appreciate it.

» left by Brianna Popsickle 2 years 349 days ago.
120 fans.
I can totally identify with you Steve. I was never a cat person, (I have a dog), but I've found myself surrounded by friends who are cat lovers. Having spent more time around their cats, I see that they are very loving pets and actually have many of the loyal 'best friend' traits of dogs. I have witnessed my friend's cat 'talking' to her, I kid you not.
So although I can't say I 'hate' cats, I still don't 'love' them. I can't get past the whole walking on the counter, and table etc., after walking in their kitty litter. It grosses me out a little.
» left by Steve Kovacs 2 years 348 days ago.
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A talking cat, call the Enquirer!  At least you don’t hate them—thank you for reading my article and taking the time to write.

» left by Nenita Wells
from Providence, RI 2 years 349 days ago.
Hi Steve.
 
Great article. Thank you for writing and sharing. My condo unit neighbor adopted a stray cat and named her CeeCee. She comes and visit me everyday just to say (meow) hello. She comes in and stay a little while and off she goes.
 
Thanks again for sharing Kitty-Cat.
 
Best regards,
 
Nenita
» left by Steve Kovacs 2 years 348 days ago.
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Hi Nenita, 

Sounds cool how your friend drops in to say hi, then goes on to her other daily duties, and then visits again the next day.  You’re lucky!—thanks for writing.

» left by Elizabeth
from DE 2 years 348 days ago.
Hi Steve, This was wonderful! In the past year, I have been able to convert both my fiance' and my 92 yr old Grandmother to cat lovers. Both are surprised to find themselves admitting it in public! My Grandmother grew up in the city and on a dairy farm and always considered cats as rodents. My fiance' had just never met a really affectionate cat.
By the way, don't feel bad about the name of your cat; I named a stray husky "Fluffy White" so I wouldn't become too attached...7 years later that is the name she answers to!
» left by Steve Kovacs 2 years 347 days ago.
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Hi Elizabeth

Thanks for the article compliment.  Fluffy White huh?  Okay, I feel better now, thanks.  You must be in sales to have been able to change the minds of those cat haters!!  Thanks for writing.

Steve

 

» left by Anonymous 2 years 347 days ago.
I used to handle PR for the state recreation division, but not really sales! Now I'm in public safety, and find some of the toughest guys afraid of cats!
» left by David Pekrul
 2 years 341 days ago.
69 fans.
Well, that's quite a turnaround. I have never liked cats, but every time I visit someone with a cat, the cat always jumps on my lap or rubs against my feet. I'm sure they know that I'm not a fan and just do this to annoy me. I'm going to start carrying garlic with me.
» left by Steve Kovacs 2 years 340 days ago.
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Now that was a hilarious comment!  Thanks for writing.

» left by Chris Russo
 2 years 199 days ago.
8 fans.
I liken cats to shy or reserved individuals--at first, you think they must be mean, standoffish, or stuck-up because they just don't come around to chit chat like everyone else. But then one day, by sheer coincidence, you get to know them and realize they aren't mean, standoffish, or stuck-up at all--they are just slower to warm up to people but when they do, they are very authentic, true, and loyal companions.
 
Kitties are the same way. They look unfriendly at first. Then, you get to know them and they are loving as can be. I always preferred dogs to cats. But, a few years ago, I decided to get a cat because the apartment where I was living didn't allow dogs. I was pleasantly surprised. Within a few years, I acquired two more cats who surprised me even more--they both had very unique personalities. In fact, I'm certain one of them is a dog trapped in a cat's body. Needless to say, the species is much more diverse than one would think. I, like Steve, have come to realize that they are cute, fun, and loving companions.
 
Cute article!
» left by Steve Kovacs 2 years 199 days ago.
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Hi Cris and thanks for writing,
 
How well put "liken cats to shy or reserved individuals". I think that's a great example and I also agree they are much more diverse than most people think. They are great pets or better put--companions!--Thanks again for writing.
 
Steve
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