feline etymology

Here is a photo of one of the cats who lives inside the compound where I used to live in Jeddah.

I don't know how exactly we started but maybe it was one of those days when he was just passing by and I happened to be there in the backyard and took notice of him.  I probably gave him some attention then, that's why he stayed.  That really isn't a very sweet, touching story but I honestly don't remember our first meeting.  

I named this cat Tomas.  Everytime he comes to the villa, I call out to him "Tomas" and after a few more meetings, I actually thought that he had accepted that name.  I give him some food or milk when he comes over.   I've never really been a cat person but I've had some moments with Tomas where I rub his fur or just give him the pleasure of watching me do some chores in the house (in the villa).  I called him Tomas after the one and only cat that we had ever had in our house.  

The original Tomas was an orphaned cat in the street that a family friend's nephew took into their house.  They live 2 cities away from us.  The little boy who was only 4 or 5 at that time was actually allergic to cats.  So they came to our house with the cat and asked if the cat can stay with us.  And he did.  After a few months, the cat was no longer with us.   The original Tomas was named after the mayor of Cebu City at that time when he arrived in our house.  A big tempered, individual (with lots of pimple scars on his face) who managed the city.  (I can't help it with the pimple scars thing..call me shallow but I find it funny just to mention it).  In fairness to him, he was an effective leader and has a clear vision for the future of the city. 

The compound Tomas is selfish and he's always out somewhere except for the mealtimes.  He's a social butterfly.  I don't know what happened or what I had done to him when one day he no longer came to visit the villa.  For months he was gone.  Everytime I come back to the compound after a vacation, I get to stay in a new villa (against my will, but that'show it is).  So it seemed that my relationship with Tomas has ended.  We had a new adopted cat in the new villa that we had stayed in and we called him Rhitu, one of the senior flight attendants in Jeddah who is the actual owner of the cat.  That Rhitu was sooo lazy and walks proudly.. almost flirty.  Thus because of the latter characteristic, Rhitu was the perfect name for him.  We learned later on that his name is actually Ken, but who cares, he responds to his new name anyway.

A few months later, I was walking in the compound and saw Tomas.  I recognized him from the black spot he has on his nose.  I called out to him, with his name..Tomas.  He just ignored me.  So out went all of my memories with him, he had probably forgotten me faster than I had thought.  He's a great cat and we had a great time together.  At that particular period.  He probably has a new family now.  He's moved on.  Cats are great at moving on, something we can all learn from.  Cats can go from one name to another and loving each moment the whole time.  The let you love them and they love you back while you are sharing the time together, but after that time is up it's a new life again for the both of you.  They understand it very well, they are always living for the moment.  That's pretty conservative thinking for an animal with nine lives to spare.  Lucky.