Casper The Commuting Cat: The True Story Of The Cat Who Rode The Bus And Stole Our Hearts

Dear Cassie – helping all those people without knowing it, certainly without me knowing it. It makes me sad to think of old people alone without anyone to tell their worries to, but the thought that Casper gave them some companionship is heart-warming and comforting. There is no doubt that some people feel able to relate to an animal in ways they can’t with another person. I hope Casper was there for people when they needed him.

It was Casper’s friendliness and love for humans that made him a special cat. In truth, he was an ordinary little cat who was starting to have an extraordinary effect. I used to laugh at his adventures in Frome, but I could never have imagined what would happen once we moved to Plymouth.

CHAPTER 8

How to go Places and Make Friends

Casper

Obviously, I had a life before I found my mum. When we discovered each other, I was getting on a bit and no longer a little kitten. I was a cat with a past! While she may have been keen to discover what that past entailed, I enjoyed being something of a ‘mystery cat’ with an eye on the future. In the days before mum I learned to survive and be comfortable around humans, and that’s what matters most. I used what I’d learned to make sure life was as nice for me as it could possibly be.

It was about this time that I realized my understanding of the human world was something that could help cats and people alike. Because I’d always been a nomad at heart, I’d built up a lot of knowledge about the skilful ways in which journeys could be undertaken and friends made, which I will share with you now.

Casper’s basic rules for filling the day

Decide where you want to go.

Go there.

If there are impediments (and humans must be given some credit for the many ways in which they manage to create obstacle courses out of the most innocent household articles), see this as nothing more than a challenge. Windows and doors always open somehow. It is generally useful to feign sleep until such openings appear, then spring to life and exit, leaving your human too confused to catch you in time.

Previous reconnaissance missions may have given you an idea of where to while away a few pleasant hours. If this is the case, head to that source of heat, food or company immediately. If you are undecided, listen for happy human noises, the smell of turkey roll and an absence of barking.

I have always found places in which people sit down in large groups are highly conducive to cats. Human vet buildings (or ‘GP surgeries’ as they like to call them), or places where they wait to buy their flea treatment (they call these buildings ‘the chemist’ or ‘the pharmacy’), usually have comfortable seats placed there for cats. Indeed, if humans also wish to sit down, another seat will be provided for any feline visitors, which is a charming kindness and much to their credit.

Ignore shouting unless it is accompanied by the throwing of objects or energetic chasing.

Always behave as if it is perfectly natural and normal for you to be in the place of your choice.

If your human appears, remain calm. They tend to be quite surprised that we have lives beyond their homes and gardens. If they see us beyond those confines, they get confused and assume that you ‘need to go home’. This is odd: if you ‘needed’ to get home, you would go home, so it’s best to stay seated, pretend to sleep if needs be or ignore them if that’s best. They’ll soon realize you have a right to be there – as the other humans have already recognized – and they may even think they’ve imagined it all.

You will probably receive quite a lot of attention in these places, which should be accepted (especially if that was the object in the first place). Prepare to be carried like a human baby, praised for being ‘clever’ (this involves doing nothing more than being yourself) and told many secrets and worries.

Go home as if nothing had ever happened.

CHAPTER 9

Finding More Friends

My affinity with animals is an integral part of me, and my husband Chris accepts that. He never laughs when I stop in the street to move a worm out of harm’s way, or if I rant at people on holiday when I see them being thoughtless or cruel to strays. Chris takes it as part of me, and I will always be grateful to him for that. When we married we couldn’t imagine the struggles we would face, but I believe that his understanding of me from the start allowed us to build such a strong base as a couple that we rose to the challenges with greater strength when they came.

I enjoy watching the cats grow with each other as much as I love getting to know them myself. What they’ve taught me about patience and care is immeasurable. No pair did more in that regard than Clyde and a cat called Gemma.