My friend, Chonky the cat
About two months ago, I crossed paths with a “stray” cat I now know as Chonky — the Mayor of 37th Street.
He loves my visits and is always ready for a cuddle. From speaking with some 37th Street residents, here’s the story I’ve been able to patch together:
He once lived with a family in an apartment in a large building. They would let him out but he never wandered far. Chonky was justifiably wary of strangers but created a bond with an older Greek woman and her dog down the block.
One day, he mysteriously vanished.
He was missing for about a year when he suddenly reappeared on 37th Street with his ear clipped!
The locals told me that an overzealous trap-neuter-release (TNR) team must have mistaken him for a stray. They trapped him but, in the process, injured his tail.
When they realized he was already neutered, they clipped his ear and released him — but no one knows exactly where. The TNR team probably forgot where they originally found him.
Chonky eventually/recently found his way back to 37th Street but, after a year-long ordeal, he has no interest in being a pet anymore. He stays outside in a very small range of real estate.
When I’m out walking (read: every day), I make sure to pass up 37th Street to say hello and get some snuggles. And I’m far from alone. The other day, I had to wait my turn as Chonky was greeted by two other people who adore him.
He loves to mingle but if you try to pick him up, I’m told you’ll get quite a swat before he takes off. Needless to say, the poor guy was traumatized by his catnapping and has a broken tail tip to show for it.
So, a woman built a comfortable outdoor home for him in her backyard to protect him from the elements (and other animals). Everyone feeds him — hence the name given to him by two local teenage girls.
This big boy (estimated to be 13 years old) is now living the dream as a beloved neighborhood icon. I’m proud to be his friend.
The Honourable Chonky is clearly the best leader we could ever hope to have. May his reign be peaceful and prosperous!
Great story. Interesting you should use "Mayor". When I lived in Pittsburgh in the ethnic neighborhood of " Polish Hill", if there was an older guy who knew EVERYTHING that was going on in the neighborhood including all the gossip they were called "the mayor of"... Dobson street, for example.