Flame

Flame is a medium-sized, orange, long-haired cat. There is a pattern in his fur (it's different shades of orange) but I don't know what to call it.

Flame was found wandering by the BART tracks in north Berkeley. He was a tiny, starved kitten wearing a flea collar that was far too tight. He looked like he was 2 months old, but he turned out to be almost 5 months old. We adopted him and brought him to the vet, then home. He was terrified when we picked him up and took him to the vet, and he didn't stop purring or drooling even when they took blood and gave him shots. He had fleas, ear mites, and worms, and was malnourished but was otherwise healthy. We brought him home, where he created great excitement with the other cats.

He was isolated for a while, and kept getting ear drops and baths, so he was understandably reluctant to be handled by people. He has since changed and, though he is still very jumpy, he loves to be petted, at least when he's in the mood.

Flame's time in the outdoors seems to have involved some sort of sexual activity. Before he got lost, he frequently tried to have sex with Chloe and Bright, neither of whom were interested. We think he would have tried to have sex with Death if Death wasn't so intimidating. Flame no longer has the ability to have sex, but he doesn't seem to know that.

One of Flame's favorite places to be is curled up in the sink in our bathroom. He doesn't even mind if you turn the water on. Another place he likes is the neighbor's flower box.

Flame is lost and found again

We had a scare with Flame at the end of September, 1994. He disappeared for several days. We finally found him at the animal shelter. He was quite distressed, starving and very frightened. We have brought him home, but the other cats have not yet accepted him back.

Author

Muffy Barkocy (muffy@fish.com)

Last updated: September 27, 1994