Stories

4. Susan McShane, 3/5/2003

A Singular Cat: Streaker 1985-2002

November 16, 2002 marked the passing of Streaker, one of central Virginia’s most charismatic and beloved cats (aka Streaker B. Jones, Streaker Beak, Streak Man, Wideload). No shrinking violet, Streaker cut a wide swath through the streets and countrysides of the Midwest and Southeast U.S.

Born on a Kentucky farm, the young Streaker, already impressive in both appearance and manner (half Manx with a stub for a tail and the hind legs of a jack rabbit), was adopted into the Louisville, KY suburbs by a loving family who treasured him all of his 17+ years. The young Streaker followed various family members as they moved around the country, transitioning effortlessly from farm to suburbs, from city streets to condominiums.

After several years in South Bend, Indiana and a brief stint as “City Kitty” on Chicago’s mean streets, he adjusted again to his next home in a Louisville second-floor condominium. On the move again in 1995, “Condo Cat” moved to a horse farm in central VA, rediscovering the joys of farm life (“Hey that barn’s really cool, but the highway--EEE!”).

Then in his mature years, Streaker settled into a long and stately tenure as “King of the Porches” in a Charlottesville, Virginia subdivision. Showing the mettle of his dominant personality Streaker turned a potentially life-ending ear infection into the opportunity of a life time. After reconstructive surgery rebuilding his entire head around a failed right ear, Streaker parlayed his new rugged look (floppy ears and no tail) into a disabled veteran routine to extort handouts and sleepovers from his good-hearted neighbors. During this subdivision period, Streaker’s regal presence graced more front porches than the Sunday paper.

In 2001 at the age of 16, Streaker made a final move, returning to his farm roots, a country home in rural Virginia. The move was a costly one. Wandering out the front door of his brand-new home, the near-senile Streaker lost his bearings and ended up heading back to Charlottesville. A scrape with a would-be do-gooder landed him on death row in the Goochland County Animal Shelter. Ten minutes before the scheduled big nap, a lucky phone call from his persistent “parent” bought Streaker one more precious year of retirement living as “Lord of the Country Manor.”

Making the miraculous recovery complete, Streaker, in his final year, seemed to leave behind the arthritis that had plagued him during his Charlottesville days of front porch camping and daily stair climbing in his two-story colonial home (It’s a long way from bowl to nap!”). Now blessed with a one-story rancher, Streaker rediscovered the rabbit haunches of his youth, once again hopping from floor to bed effortlessly. During this last year, the once ferociously aggressive cat mellowed, acquiring an aging sea-captain persona, content to nap and purr and tell his stories. After suffering several apparent strokes, Streaker took his last nap on the deck of his Goochland County home.

Streaker is survived and sorely missed by his family of Paulls, McShanes, and Stewarts, his long-time feline companions, Dufy and Patches, and the large, but loving dog, Lobo, who patiently tolerated Streaker’s determined efforts to establish his dominance in the family circle. His final resting place in the peaceful woods of Goochland County is marked by a wooden monument identifying the “King o’ the Streets,” and including the characteristically crusty quote, “Rrrnnggh.”

^