A few months after Jade arrived, I started to consider getting her a companion. While I worked, she
spent a lot of time alone and seemed bored. I considered trying to put Fluffy in with her, but he was still pretty wild
at that time and quite a bit larger than her.
Suddenly Patch appeared. He had a worn out flea collar on (poor thing was covered in fleas) and had
some facial trauma. By this time word had spread that I took in abandoned cats, so I suspect he was tossed from a car.
Fortunately everything healed up without any lasting problem. His adult teeth came in fine and you would never know
he was ever injured.
After a clean bill of health and all fleas were removed, Patch was placed in the room next to Jade.
By the end of that day, they were playing under the door. The next day I let them meet. It was almost love at
first site. By the end of the second day, they were sleeping together in Jade's easy chair. They have been inseparable
ever since.
Patch is gentle and easy going. He is friendly with everybody, but likes women better than men.
Just the opposite of Jade. He does not like a lot of attention unless it is his decision to seek it out.
UPDATED JUNE, 2005
Over the last year Patch has become more affectionate. He seeks attention on a regular
basis and will actually play with me from time to time. Previously he preferred playing with either Jade or Callie and
while that is still the case, he has sought me out for play on a more regular basis. He is still my most social cat
with people and often will welcome vistors with a friendly greeting. Of the three that travel with me, Patch has the
hardest time. He will generally make me very aware of his displeasure for about the the first 45 minutes of driving,
before finally settling down. I do not think it is the car ride, but being confined in the carrier. He exhibits
the same behavior if he has to be confined for any reason. He would probably be fine if I let him ride loose in the
car, but for safety's sake, I cannot do that.
UPDATED OCTOBER, 2006
Patch has become more affectionate over this past year. He now wants a kiss on the forehead
first thing in the morning or he will sulk. He surprised me and was the first to accept Mocha. I guess he needed
a guy pal. I found out that Patch is claustrophobic and really hated being in his carrier on the road trips more than
the actual road trip. I finally gave in and started letting him ride loose in the back of the car. He still didn't
like to travel, but did much better. As I said on Jade's page, however, a job change means the traveling with me
for work is over so Patch doesn't have to endure the 3 hour car rides any more. He hated them the worst of the traveling
three and will be very happy to never have to face the road trips again.
