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Farewell to Kitty, a Fine Parisian Feline. 

17/9/2015

 

In a bookstore with a humongous reputation, there once lived a small cat...

Picture
Photo courtesy: thecreativecat.net
Have you ever had a wonderful travel memory that started off on the wrong foot, literally? In the summer of 2003, I spent an extended weekend in Paris. Eager to prove my sophistication, I made my first (and, subsequently, my last) foray into the world of travelling with high heels. After all, what are $39.99 sales racks at Sears for if not for strutting across the city of love?

But camel coloured pleather kitten heels and Parisian heat waves don’t mix. By the time I arrived at my destination, the legendary Shakespeare and Company bookstore, I was a hot mess of sweat, dust, and half a dozen pulsating blisters, the smallest measuring in at an inch in diameter. My plans for a quick visit were quickly revised to spend as much time as possible perched among the cooling books.  Little did I suspect a cat would cross my path and leave paw prints on my heart.

As the undulating blisters continued to throb, I delayed my return trip as long as I could. Browsing turned to lingering and then to flat out eavesdropping and people watching and I was privy to the boorish observations of a man who clearly fancied himself an intellectual - and a casanova. But his attempts to gain the affection, or even the attention, of proprietor Sylvia Whitman herself were falling flat. Spotting the residence bookstore cat, he thought found a way in.

“What’s the cat’s name?” he cooed, more at Sylvia Whitman than at the cat itself. “It’s Kitty” came the terse reply. “Oh, like kitty cat!” exclaimed Mr. Boorish. Kitty glanced up and cast a look of disdain over the entire scene. “No”, sighed Sylvia. “Kitty's the name of the diary in the Diary of Anne Frank”. “Oh!” cried Mr. Boorish, clearly confused. He rubbed an unwelcome finger down Kitty’s spine. With a swish of the tail, Kitty turned an arched back to the scene and settled among a pile of papers. Clearly the life of a Parisian bookstore cat was not without its challenges.

It was plain to see that Mr. B not only hadn’t heard of Kitty’s name sake, but the notion of Anne Frank herself was foreign as well. My eyes met Sylvia's for a second, the kind of swift glimpse that only two women can give each other to instantly confirm the other is thinking the same thing about the man in question. He was tail-swish worthy indeed.

I was so saddened to hear that Kitty had recently passed away. While I did not know her well, I imagine Kitty to be representative of the best of the feline species, content to spend most of the day in sunny patches. Occasionally looking up to give an “ask me if I care” glance at the world through heavy lids; occasionally getting far too worked up over nothing – a moth, a chair scraping back, a crumpled receipt falling to the ground.  I picture Kitty as a connoisseur of the finer things in life – perhaps lapping up salmon pate from a chipped china saucer – yet would never turn down life's simpler pleasures.  

While passing years have a way of adding a layer of rosy retrospective to travel memories, no filter is ever needed for a summer in Paris. A naive gal, a big city, a hot day, a frosty exchange, some sore feet, a very warm heart. And a bookstore with a humongous reputation that was home to one small cat.  And a very fine one at that. Kitty, you will be missed.


Paris, overrated? Never! If you enjoyed this article, you'll also like:
My Favourite Spots in Paris
Budget Friendly City of Lights for First Timers
Secrets of the Louvre for Savvy Travellers
Exploring Paris by Bike
Hotel Review: Paris' Hotel Academie 
Paris: Day 2&3 of Our Round The World Trip


Claudia link
17/9/2015 04:40:33 pm

Cats and books - two of my favourite "things" (although thing is not a word I like to use with reference to cats!) in the world. So sad for Kitty :(

Incidentally - The diary of Anne Frank is perhaps the first book I read. And re-read several times.

Vanessa
17/9/2015 05:49:07 pm

I love how so many people have told me that The Diary of Anne Frank was the first 'real' book they read in childhood and that there was a special link to "Kitty", her diary, at the world's greatest bookstore.

The Guy Who Flies link
18/9/2015 08:23:20 am

I must admit that I've been caught out with the wrong or at least inappropriate footwear on travel in the past, but never quite of the high heel variety! In the end I have to accept defeat and make an emergency purchase irrespective of the cost.

Kitty sounds like a very typical cat. They know what they want and are very quick to express their dissatisfaction to things. Sorry to hear Kitty is no more.

Vanessa
18/9/2015 12:09:32 pm

So true - cats really do know what they want and they'll let you know if they aren't happy!!

Donna Meyer link
19/9/2015 10:30:13 pm

I am so saddened to hear this. I spent a very contented hour last spring, sitting on the battered brown leather sofa in the upstairs front room, the one with the killer view of Notre Dame out the window, reading a book and stroking Kitty's soft back. I felt myself very privileged that she let me. She will be very much missed by many a Shakespeare & Co. regular.

Vanessa
20/9/2015 09:01:49 am

What a beautiful memory! Clearly Kitty had excellent intuitive skills when it came to judging character - I'm sure not just anyone would be tolerated for an hour of cuddles -;-)

Donna Meyer link
20/9/2015 09:01:43 pm

Awww... Thanks Vanessa. :-) I even have a photo of her lounging on that old brown sofa!

Meg Jerrard link
20/9/2015 09:18:00 am

I'm so sorry to hear that kitty passed away :( Though I'm glad that she imparted such a wonderful memory from your trip to Paris. May her memory live on and she RIP XX

Vanessa
21/9/2015 04:13:49 pm

Kitty was such a wonderful part of my memories of Paris!


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