Chi– Fabulous Tabby Thief

Chi, my wonderful tabby cat was a dreadful thief! He’s one of those cats who just has to share your food. We tried to stop him begging for food only to find that he’d taken a more creative approach. He’d wait until you sat on the sofa with a snack and he’d sneak up behind you and wait. Just as you raised a nice piece of cheese or ham to your lips a paw would shoot out and take it from your fingers! Leaving you staring at your empty hand in amazement.

He soon had us trained. We quickly learned that it was easier to give him a small morsel from our meal than to be constantly turning around wondering where the next ambush would come from.

This painting was inspired by his clever thievery! It’s called Take Away Turkey. And yes, he did get to eat it as a reward for modelling. :-)

Sadly we lost him this year, although he lived to a grand old age of 24! Because he was such a character I painted him several times. My favourite is this one, Bite Me! It’s an expression we saw a lot and always made us smile. We called it his ‘make my day’ look.

Chi, (Clint Eastwood) the tabby gun slinger of Freddie Street, is staring down the barrel of a loaded claw. ‘OK punk, do you feel lucky? Go ahead, bite me, make my day!’

He was a wonderful character and a fabulous companion. We will miss him, but he brought us much joy in life and I’m so lucky to have my paintings to remember him by.

RIP my lovely boy.