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Yup, that IS the top of a door she is sitting so comfortably upon. :o) She enjoyed being high. Not unlike many people I know! LOL This perch also gave her a great "pigeon watching" perspective. Photo credit: LMS (c) 2000

I first met Kelly, the 6 lb. Maine Coon cat, when a co-worker brought her to the office to find her a new home. One look up at me, and I was sucker punched! She was about three years old at the time, but looked more like a big kitten. Her soft, sweet meow, big, beautiful, kelly-green eyes, and raccoon-like long, fluffy tail won my heart. I had been wanting a pet, but living in a 700 square foot NYC upper east side luxury apartment, dogs were kind of out of the question. My brand new husband was a "dog man." Never had an affinity for cats. But keeping a doggie cooped up all day in 700 square feet didn't seem right, and I used to kid him and say, one day I am coming home with a pussy cat.

One day I did! And she knew precisely who she had to win over. She slept next to him on the bed the first night, and he has been putty in her paws ever since.

Kelly was born in New Hampshire, then relocated to Yonkers, New York with her former owners. They had her totally declawed, hind claws as well. For the life of me, I could never understand that. It made her totally defenseless, and forever an indoor cat. She was known to them by another name.

When we adopted her, she moved in with us in New York City. If ever she minded not having claws, we never knew it. She adapted very well. We changed her name to Kelly as a testament to her beautiful kelly-green eyes, and she took to it and us immediately.

The cat's in the bag, and Kelly's no different. She especially liked all the activity around Christmas time with packages to wrap and tons of bags to conquer Photo credit, LMS (c) 2000 TRO

In that apartment, one of her favorite past times was to sit on the windowsill, or whatever high perch was nearby, and ogle the pigeons on the rooftops across Second Avenue! A jet-setting puss, she flew with us when we relocated to Los Angeles in 1992. It took her a while to get accustomed to the 1800 square foot condo. Suddenly, she had so much space in which to roam and burrow, not to mention stairs to climb. My home office is in a loft off the master bedroom. When we first moved in, she actually jumped from the loft down a good twelve feet into the living room! Twice! But, that was enough. She soon learned that to get to the living room, all she had to do was use the stairs. ;o)

One of her small pleasures was to sneak outside as we were arriving home with groceries and scamper down the exterior hallway to the pool area out back, off on a brief adventure. Our condo complex is completely fenced in, so it was safe enough for her to wander around for a bit. As a Maine Coon cat, she loved the outdoors.

A very vocal puss, she carried on entire conversations with us. She had a wide range of meows that all had some special meaning, and she could express herself quite effectively. She would sleep curled next to me, purring in my ear for most of the night. Her purr was pure contentment, and was always a comfort to me. She was there for us through thick and thin, and shared all of our good times and bad. When we were sick, she'd curl up with us on the bed. Just her being there hastened our speedy recovery. If I was out of town on business, she would be at my husband's side, making sure he didn't miss me too much.

Kelly's a real people puss. Especially if they're cat people. Some authorities refute the concept that animals can sense the people who are animal lovers. I refute them. Kelly definitely gravitated to our friends and family who were also cat folks. To bring this topic around to the world of soap opera (after all, this is a soap opera column! LOL) whenever Michael E. Knight (Tad, All My Children) would visit, she would run to sit on his lap for pets as soon as he got comfy on the living room couch! Michael owns a bunch of cats and a doggie or two! Somehow, Kelly must have known. She would likewise gravitate to other friends in the same way. However, those friends who were allergic to cats, or had some other aversion, she never approached. Interesting, no? But everyone who saw her fell immediately in love. Due to her agility and petite size (for a Maine Coon, a typically large breed, we decided she must have been the runt of the litter!), she always looked and acted like a large kitten!

Kelly, the Exercise Cat! This could have been her secret to keeping that svelt 6 lb figure. :o) It was also a fine spot for pigeon watching across Second Avenue! Note how comfortable she is sitting in the typical "meatloaf" position. Photo credit: LMS (c) TRO

They also say that cats possess telepathic capabilities. After being owned by Kelly, I believe it. Sometimes, I'd be relaxing on the couch in the living room and she would be upstairs asleep on her favorite chair. I would think to myself, gee, Kelly should come down and watch TV with us. Suddenly, poof like magic, up she would jump on my lap, get comfy in the "meatloaf position," and snuggle in to watch TV. How did she know to come down if I didn't call her, only thought it? Somehow, she just knew to come.

Kelly is a very sweet puss whose light will forever burn bright in us. A great, little cat with the biggest little heart, she gave us unrequited love and affection every day that she owned us. When I first brought her home, my husband said he would give her one week. She owned us 14 of her 17 years, living a full and happy life in three decades. Now, her week is over.

In life, we have encounters that come and go. Some remain for a time and leave pawprints on our hearts. May sweet little Kelly rest in peace. She will be deeply missed.

 

Expensive cat toys never had a chance. Her favorites were yarn, an old silk tie, and my husband's belt. There was one store bought cat toy that she favored, a yellow sock-like thing with catnip. She would guard it by resting her chin on it. Photo credit: LMS (c) 2000 TRO

  >^..^< Dedicated In Loving Memory of Kelly, the Mrs. Puss.
May,1983-August 3, 2000 >^..^<

TRO News & Notes!

Thanks to everyone who voted in the 2nd Annual Turtle Run Online Daytime Cybby Awards. The results have been tabulated and there are some interesting surprises. Stay tuned to Turtle Run for our Cybby's Feature coming soon!

As the World Turns and Guiding Light fans! We now offer Sneak Peeks, Sneakier Peeks, and Daily Episode Guides for your favorite shows! Help us spread the word, and enjoy.

Soap News & Notes

Kevin Spirtas (Craig, DOOL) stars in the musical workshow, No. 9 Rue D'Artin, a musical based on La Dame Aux Camellias by Alexander Dumas Fils. Performances are for three weeks only, Wednesdays-Sundays, at 8 PM beginning Wednesday, August 23, 2000 at the Pacific Resident Theatre Ensemble, 703 Venice Blvd., Venice, CA 90291. Tickets are $10.00 for subscribers and $20.00 for non-subscribers. Call 310 822-8392 for further info.

Bruce Michael Hall (Reese, Passions) has just been named National Spokesperson for the Association for Children for Enforcement of Support, Inc. (ACES), an organization that brings attention to child support issues. Look for Bruce in a national public service campaign, including public speaking engagements.

Dana Sparks (Grace, Passions) and her husband, Steve, will be dining with President Clinton and First Lady Hillary Rodham Clinton on September 23, 2000 at a fundraiser for the Democratic National Committee.

James Hyde (Sam, Passions) received a Proclamation from Columbus, Ohio Mayor Michael B. Coleman on Wednesday, August 2, 2000 at Columbus City Hall.

Casting

All My Children: Tim Duffy will join the cast in the role of Ricky Collins beginning Thursday, August 17, 2000. Bruce Kirkpatrick will join AMC in the role of Henry Collins, beginning Tuesday, August 29, 2000. Both are recurring roles, and both new characters will be stirring up trouble for Brooke and Elliot. Also, Jack Gwaltney comes aboard as Wade Randall, beginning Thursday, August 17, 2000.

Days of Our Lives: Millicent Martin returns for several weeks in the role of Lili Faversham. Her first airdate is Wednesday, August 9, 2000.

General Hospital: Kin Shriner returns to GH as Scott Baldwin on Friday, September 22, 2000, and will remain on GH until the storyline completes. Eva Longoria joins the cast on Monday, August 14, 2000 playing a very interesting character, who is apt to turn some heads in Port Charles.

Passions: Bruce Michael Hall (Reese) has moved from long-term recurring to contract status.

Port Charles: Josette Provost has been cast as Natalie, a young French woman who claims to know some intriguing information. Her first airdate is Thursday, September 7, 2000. Gregory Paul joins the cast as a Marseilles policeman. He will interact with Scott and Lucy. His first airdate is Friday, September 8, 2000.

Seeing Stars

Cameron Mathison (Ryan, AMC) has a busy few weeks!
August 19, 2000: Sears, Amherst, NY, 1-3 PM
August 19, 2000: Brokerage Comedy Club, Long Island, NY with Vincent Irizarry (Dr. Dave, AMC), 7:30 show sold out, but they have just added a 10:30 show. Tickets for the 10:30 PM still available. $21.00 cash only. They will hold tickets for five days. You must come to the club to get tickets. If you live far away, they will accept a money order for $24.00 (includes $3.00 money order processing fee.) Also include a SASE. For further info call: 516 785-9349.

On Saturday, August 12, 2000, Kevin Spirtas (Craig, DOOL) will be appearing at Fangoria Weekend of Horrors Convention, celebrating the reunion of his fellow cast members from the horror film series Subspecies II and Subspecies III. There will be a Q&A and autograph session at 12:00 noon at the Pasadena Civic Center, located at 500 East Green Street in Pasadena.

Jesse Metecalf (Miguel, Passions) will be appearing at Sears in Stubenville, Ohio on Saturday, August 26 from 1-3 PM (with Jason Cook, Shawn, DOOL. See below.) Passions First Annual Fan Club Lunch! Various Actors will be at the First Annual Passions Fan-Club Luncheon on Saturday, August 12 at the Sportsmen's Lodge in Studio City, CA. Tickets: $40, members. $65, nonmembers. Send SASE and check or money order to: Passions Fan Club Luncheon, attention Sonya, 4024 Radford Avenue, Studio City, CA 91604. Presently confirmed to attend: Lena Cardwell, Josh Ryan Evans, Bruce French, Bruce Michael Hall, Jade Harlow, Liza Huber, James Hyde, Dalton James, Brook Kerr, Lindsay Korman, Kelli McCarty, Ben Masters, Jesse Metecalfe, Juliet Mills, Tracey Ross, Dana Sparks, Donn Swaby, Travis Schuldt, Eva Tamargo Lemus, Kim Johnston Ulrich and Mckenzie Westmore

. Days of Our Lives star, Jason Cook will be at the following Sears stores:
August 12, 2000: Grandforks, North Dakota. 1-3 PM
August 26, 2000: Steubenville, Ohio. 1-3 PM
September 2, 2000: Rosevile, CA. 1-3 PM

Speaking of DOOL, don't forget to book your tickets for SalemFest on September 16, 17, 2000, Salem, IL. Contact: Days Fest, 215 E. Main Street, Salem, IL 62881, or call 618 548-0878. Steve Blackwood, Bryan Datillo, Arianne Zuker, Jason Cook, and Nadia Bjorlin are scheduled to attend.

 

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