Photo retrospective of Caramel, one of the all-time favorite campus cats

Caramel, brother of Orange Blossom and son of Ragi-Mama, has been missing since late March this year. We have to assume the worst. We have searched much of Fukui City and found some cats that look a bit like Caramel, but no Caramel. It seems quite likely that Caramel left campus on the north side (he and Ragi-Mama did this frequently when there was a lot of noisy construction in their area) and was struck and killed by a car on a busy street, such as the Nishi-kanjo-sen street. He would have been especially vulnerable during the early morning hours, before rush hour, when people speed on the streets.

Here are some of our favorite photos of this wonderful cat. Looking at them you can see his character and why he was such a likable cat. Caramel always loved to pose for photos. We miss you guy! The last photo is of Orange Blossom (the orange tabby) with his brother in the summer of 2009.

Shaun visits Buddy during the long, hot summer of 2010

Shaun (orange and white tabby on the right) can't get over the fact that Buddy isn't intimidated by him. Buddy is the smallest but most energetic 'guard' in the Swimming Pool Gang. He and Gus tolerate Shaun visiting (Shaun likes to take walks with me), but they remind him he is a visitor.

I actually think they like his visits because having a large cat like Shaun around does help the show of force against the marauding tom cats that come over the east wall of the campus. So they let Shaun come and even scent and scratch mark in their territory. He also takes meals there sometimes.

Shaun said, "That's not how you mark a tree."

"Here. Let me show you. This is how you mark a tree. Other cats will think a leopard lives in this territory."

OB and Shaun sunbathing

This was earlier this summer, before it got really hot. Wish Caramel (OB's brother) was around to enjoy such times as well, but Caramel has been missing since about 1 April. OB is on the left; Shaun is on the right.

.

Someone dumped little Daisy on campus

I'm fairly sure that she has been dumped because a cat this sick doesn't usually take refuge under a car in the middle of a large parking lot on a scorching hot summer day. When I found her, she could barely move. Once she got out of the heat, she tried to sit up a little bit. She was severely dehydrated and couldn't drink water on her own, so I took her to the hospital right away--something that is hard to do in Japan on a Sunday. She is on IV drips and I await news. Anyway, I'm hoping she pulls through and her name is 'Daisy' now.

 

A better look at Gwen

Gwen is Ragi's daughter and the last cat to be born on campus. Like her mother she is a beautiful mike-neko (calico). The sentry who was here for a year because of all the construction traffic fed her for a year and then decided to adopt her since he liked her so much. She is very shy and a true feral cat, but she trusts him and can adapt to being a housecat. Good luck Gwen, the Dining Hall Troop members miss you.

Gwen waits for dinner

And she has that look on her face like..."Well, it took you long enough!"

First hot day of the year 2

Shaun found some shade to cool off in too.

First hot day of the year

Last week it got very summery--very quickly, so we all got 'spring fever'. Orange Blossom spent the afternoon under the gas tank of a car just outside the College of Education's No. 2 building, as did cousin Shaun. 

Nice portrait of Caramel

I don't think I've ever displayed this one here. Caramel is always willing to sit, stand or lie down for a picture. I'm hoping by making Caramel the 'top' cat on the blog, our luck will turn and we will find him soon.

Babe likes to play fetch

These are clips taken on my phone. Will work on better quality video in the near future.



http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wFTgcJvMn_4

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RcDmHfxJuXc

Portrait of Shaun

The guardian of the Dining Hall Troop. Orange Blossom, his cousin, guards the east and south flanks, while Shaun takes the north and west.

Portrait of Caramel

Caramel has been gone for over a month now. We just hope he is safe and well-fed. He didn't show up at any near-by colonies. We are still looking and will never give up--Caramel was just too much of a special cat. We want to make sure he is o.k.

Orange Blossom on pine needles

Where is Caramel?

We are not having much luck here at WERCHIIKINEKO. Maya Girl has been found, but now one of the dearest of the campus cats, Caramel, has gone missing. We hope he is o.k. wherever he is.

My favorite picture of Ragi

Ragi (also known affectionately as 'Ragi-Mama') is mother or aunt to most of the Dining Hall Troop.

I like how I caught her with her tongue out here. Maybe I will use this photo at the top of the blog sometime.

My favorite picture of Shaun

Shaun is the guardian cat of the No. 2 building of the College of Education and the very heart and soul of the Dining Hall Troop. Everyone else wanders around, but Shaun stays put--unless I take him for a walk. Then he will walk hours with me. I walk with him around and around on campus because I don't really want him wandering off--it's far too dangerous.

Another look at Gwen

She could pass for a short-haired near-twin of Gracie. Both were born around the same time, but I think Gracie was born a bit later. Gwen is the daughter of Ragi. We never did figure out where Gracie appeared from. Someday I will get a clear close-up of Gwen in daylight. This one is in daylight but I couldn't get very close. By the time I zoomed, she had fled. She has the really pretty face of her mother, Ragi but also looks a bit like her aunt, Bootsie.

The power of three!

The Dining Hall Troop (Ragi, her two sons, Orange Blossom, the orange tabby, and Caramel, the white and orange tabby) have the power of three to make food disappear. Another summer of 2009 photo. I am looking forward to spending time with the Dining Hall Troop once it gets warm and doesn't rain every day.

Caramel by tree last summer (summer 2009)

I hope by looking at these summer photos, winter will go away. Caramel is so handsome here.