Fall 2009
In the fall of 2009, I was asked to foster a group of kittens most of whom sported extra toes, a condition called polydactylism. Polydactyl cats are also known as Hemingway cats because the writer, Earnest Hemingway was especially fond of them and kept a bunch on his estate. To this date, the home (and museum) still harbors numerous polydactyl cats.
When coming up for names for the kittens, I decided to play off the nickname and searched through books by Hemingway for names. I found lots of male names but, not surprisingly (considering what a sexist he was) not many female names. So I also used the name of one of his wives. The names were Brett, Frederic, Hadley, Rinaldi and Pilar.
They were all terribly cute. However, one, Pilar, was especially small and sickly (being a good 10 oz lighter than her siblings), arriving emaciated and unwilling to eat. She started off eating a bit but a little over 12 hours after coming home, her appetite disappeared and she refused all food or water. I took her to the shelter to get some fluids injected under her skin to try and rehydrate her. In the end, however, it proved futile and she passed away despite all our attempts to help her. She may have had some congenital conditions that precluded her being able to survive.
Fortunately, the rest of the litter proved healthy and strong. Only one, Rinaldi, was not a polydactyl. They were a lively bunch who didn't stay long and were quickly adopted.
When coming up for names for the kittens, I decided to play off the nickname and searched through books by Hemingway for names. I found lots of male names but, not surprisingly (considering what a sexist he was) not many female names. So I also used the name of one of his wives. The names were Brett, Frederic, Hadley, Rinaldi and Pilar.
They were all terribly cute. However, one, Pilar, was especially small and sickly (being a good 10 oz lighter than her siblings), arriving emaciated and unwilling to eat. She started off eating a bit but a little over 12 hours after coming home, her appetite disappeared and she refused all food or water. I took her to the shelter to get some fluids injected under her skin to try and rehydrate her. In the end, however, it proved futile and she passed away despite all our attempts to help her. She may have had some congenital conditions that precluded her being able to survive.
Fortunately, the rest of the litter proved healthy and strong. Only one, Rinaldi, was not a polydactyl. They were a lively bunch who didn't stay long and were quickly adopted.