Merlin the Magic cat

Merlin’s story is quite a mystery. The previous owners didn’t actually want another cat (surprise, surprise), but they got one. Merlin simply appeared one day and decided to stay. Along with the B&B, the owners ran two camp sites about a km away from the house, literally in the middle of nowhere. It was in this unlikely spot where they found a little ginger feline one morning after an overland tourist truck had just left. He was very friendly, so they concluded that he must have belonged to one of the tourists and they abandoned him there, but no-one knows for sure… So they called him Merlin.

To me his strange appearing is only part his real magic - his charm. He is wonderfully friendly and will usually greet you with a brush up against your legs (if he’s awake) or a stretch and a gentle purr (if he’s asleep). His fur is silky soft and he has a few interesting markings that distinguish him from other ginger cats. The most prominent of these are the ginger ‘buttons’ on his otherwise white, fluffy tummy. He usually presents his buttons to you when he’s lying on the bed half asleep and wants a tummy tickle. He also doesn’t mind being picked up and cuddled for a while - especially if he’s still half asleep!

To people he’s friendly, charming and laid-back, but he’s not quite so relaxed when other animals are around. He gets on famously well with Sassy (Aunt Sass to him), but he’s not too keen on other cats, especially other males. Although he’s not the bravest of souls, if he does get the other cat to run away from him, he can be a bit of a bully (we witnessed this firsthand in Namaqualand).

Although he’s not a big fan of other cats, there is one thing that he simply cannot tolerate - a dog. Any dog - big or small, ferocious or otherwise - gets the same treatment from Merlin. On seeing a strange dog, he either runs for his life or he arches his back, fluffs up his tail, flattens his ears and makes the scariest sounds he can muster. It’s quite a good act he puts on and can be rather hilarious when the dog he’s supposed to be ‘scaring away’ isn’t even the least bit interested in his antics!

In general, though, Merlin is the sweetest little pussy cat who enjoys clowning around and waking me up far too early in the morning for his breakfast!