Book Lover
2024-06-29 09:57:59 UTC
John Lennon, the iconic Beatle who declared, "I Am the Walrus",
held a less-known affection for a different whiskered animal - the
cat.
THE FELINES OF LIVERPOOL
"Cats were a big thing with John," May Pang, Lennon's now 73-year-old
former secretary and girlfriend, shared in a recent conversation
with me. She recalled learning about Lennon's childhood spent under
the watchful eye of his Aunt Mimi, who filled their home with feline
companions. Aunt Mimi's house always had a crowd of cats, as many as
nine at a time, laying the foundation for an affinity Lennon would
have throughout his life.
Lennon's mother, Julia, also had a thing for cats (and rock 'n'
roll), She named a family cat Elvis, but Elvis turned out to be a mom,
surprising them with a litter of kittens.
In Liverpool, Lennon owned two cats, Tich and Sam. Tich's death
during Lennon's art school years was a poignant loss. Sam, named after
Samuel Pepys, reflected Lennon's appreciation for historical and
creative figures.
One winter day, Lennon found a stray cat in the snow and persuaded
his Aunt Mimi to let him keep it. After no one responded to his lost
cat ads, Lennon named the brown-and-white half-Persian cat Tim. Even
as Lennon's stardom soared with The Beatles, he remained devoted to
Tim, often calling to check on him.
IT'S RAINING CATS
With Cynthia, his first wife, Lennon's home was a haven for cats.
They named one kitty Mimi after his aunt, and their household
ultimately expanded to accommodate about 10 more.
In 1974, during a recording session, Lennon's fondness for cats
resurfaced unexpectedly. A worker brought in a litter of kittens,
and Pang, unaware of Lennon's childhood experiences with cats, was
taken by their charm.
She picked a black-and-white tuxedo cat, which Lennon named Minor
after the black piano keys. His impulsive decision to adopt another
loudmouthed white kitten with black spots, named Major, showcased his
whimsical and compassionate nature.
LOVE AND LOSS
After Lennon left Pang and returned to his wife, Yoko Ono, in 1975,
the couple adopted kitties Salt and Pepper. They also cared for two
Russian blues, Gertrude and Alice. Gertrude was euthanized due to a
virus that was contagious to humans, but it was Alice's tragic death
from a fall out of their Dakota apartment window that most deeply
affected Lennon, which his son Sean has recalled as one of the rare
times his father was brought to tears. In his final months, Lennon
found companionship in Persian mixes Misha, Sasha and Charo, who often
stayed on his queen-size bed with him at home.
Lennon's relationship with cats paints a fuller picture of a
renowned musical genius. Beyond the legend, his life with cats
underscores the simple joys and vulnerabilities that made him
endearingly human.
held a less-known affection for a different whiskered animal - the
cat.
THE FELINES OF LIVERPOOL
"Cats were a big thing with John," May Pang, Lennon's now 73-year-old
former secretary and girlfriend, shared in a recent conversation
with me. She recalled learning about Lennon's childhood spent under
the watchful eye of his Aunt Mimi, who filled their home with feline
companions. Aunt Mimi's house always had a crowd of cats, as many as
nine at a time, laying the foundation for an affinity Lennon would
have throughout his life.
Lennon's mother, Julia, also had a thing for cats (and rock 'n'
roll), She named a family cat Elvis, but Elvis turned out to be a mom,
surprising them with a litter of kittens.
In Liverpool, Lennon owned two cats, Tich and Sam. Tich's death
during Lennon's art school years was a poignant loss. Sam, named after
Samuel Pepys, reflected Lennon's appreciation for historical and
creative figures.
One winter day, Lennon found a stray cat in the snow and persuaded
his Aunt Mimi to let him keep it. After no one responded to his lost
cat ads, Lennon named the brown-and-white half-Persian cat Tim. Even
as Lennon's stardom soared with The Beatles, he remained devoted to
Tim, often calling to check on him.
IT'S RAINING CATS
With Cynthia, his first wife, Lennon's home was a haven for cats.
They named one kitty Mimi after his aunt, and their household
ultimately expanded to accommodate about 10 more.
In 1974, during a recording session, Lennon's fondness for cats
resurfaced unexpectedly. A worker brought in a litter of kittens,
and Pang, unaware of Lennon's childhood experiences with cats, was
taken by their charm.
She picked a black-and-white tuxedo cat, which Lennon named Minor
after the black piano keys. His impulsive decision to adopt another
loudmouthed white kitten with black spots, named Major, showcased his
whimsical and compassionate nature.
LOVE AND LOSS
After Lennon left Pang and returned to his wife, Yoko Ono, in 1975,
the couple adopted kitties Salt and Pepper. They also cared for two
Russian blues, Gertrude and Alice. Gertrude was euthanized due to a
virus that was contagious to humans, but it was Alice's tragic death
from a fall out of their Dakota apartment window that most deeply
affected Lennon, which his son Sean has recalled as one of the rare
times his father was brought to tears. In his final months, Lennon
found companionship in Persian mixes Misha, Sasha and Charo, who often
stayed on his queen-size bed with him at home.
Lennon's relationship with cats paints a fuller picture of a
renowned musical genius. Beyond the legend, his life with cats
underscores the simple joys and vulnerabilities that made him
endearingly human.
--
From Inside Your Cats Mind
written by Laurie Gwen Shapiro
From Inside Your Cats Mind
written by Laurie Gwen Shapiro