Mogi's ashes were returned yesterday, and he will spend some time indoors with us before being scattered outside in the garden. His name comes from a ghost town in New Mexico, which is named after a mountain range Mogollon (Mogoyawn) Mountains). The mountains are in turn named after a prehistoric native culture, with some of the most famous and interesting pottery in the world.
Mogi started out as a problem for us. He appeared one summer day in our backyard, trying to catch birds at our back feeder. I would go out and chase him away, but he always returned. Then we were in New Mexico, camping and hiking in the Mogollon Mountains, and visiting the ghost town of Mogollon when we decided to trap him and keep him. Upon our return from that journey the cage trap was baited with cat food, and it didn't take long before we had trapped a live and fairly wild pussy cat.
Once trapped (he was an adult) it was off to the vet for some necessary surgery and a check up. A healthy cat was returned to us a few days later. We already had Ferdinand and Gustav, so adding a third cat to the mix was going to be interesting. Of course we named him Mogollon, Mogi for short. He had been delivered to the vet in the cage trap, and returned to us in the same way. He spent several days in there before we released him. Deb took a few days off work, and spent time reading to him, and introducing him to the stick of love. The stick was about 12-14" long, and she would gently approach him with it through the bars and scratch his head. He quickly learned to like it and accept it. Next came her hand, and before too long he was out and about the house, much to the amusement of the other two cats.
Unfortunately, Mogi and Gustav just couldn't get along. Mogi had to move into the back bedroom, and was only allowed out when we were there to supervise. He had access to a cat bed up on a window looking out into the backyard, and enjoyed it a lot when the window was opened (with a screen). Ferdie got along fine with both cats. Once Ferdie and Gustav were gone, Mogi ruled the roost and finally came out of his room full time, though it wasn't for very long. Gustav passed on last October, so Mogi got a little more than ten months of total freedom. And of course last February was his eye removal surgery. Still, we did our best to totally spoil him in the little time we had remaining.
Mogi loved to listen to music, harpsichord and strings being his favourite. He would hobble up onto the couch and lay down whenever it was time to listen (usually around 6 pm for some Bach, and around 9:30 pm for various composers, and whenever I was practicing keyboard). He loved the Scarlatti harpsichord pieces I played, as well as one of the Brahms Waltzes. He also loved assisting me at the work table whenever I did astronomy notes or map studies. Sliding him off the books and maps became a game with us, a game that he usually won. And returning to the stick of love for a moment, whenever he was on the table with me I would use a pencil to rub his forehead, which he still loved. Brushing him also brought out loud purrs, and he was brushed often. Even on our final day together, before going to the vet, he was brushed and came through with a good, solid purr.
In the end Mogi succumbed (like Gustav) to a mystery virus. When a cat is no longer interested in food, then the end is very near. Deb tried everything possible, but each meal was a struggle, and each time he ate less and less. His arthritis was terrible, but under pain management with drugs. But without being able to mix the meds in his food any longer, we had to begin forcing it into his mouth. The doc examined him, and said it was probably time. And it probably was, but that fact does not make parting any easier.
So long, Mogollon, the last of five cat companions we have lived with and loved dearly. Thanks for all the entertaining and fun times. You were a cherished member of the household, and never to be forgotten. The house seems so quiet and empty...
Mapman Mike
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