Leopard cats are native to India, where they are becoming more rare. 

My Leopard Cat Snowy

By Gaurav Ji

This is a true story of my cat Snowy. Snowy was of the species of leopard cat found here in India. She was slightly white and grey in color, with stripes and spots.

We lived in an apartment on the top third floor, and there was a lush green vine creeping up the trellis right to the terrace floor. One day we heard dogs barking loudly and looked out the window to investigate. There in the vine we saw a small kitten, frightened out of its wits, climbing slowly toward the terrace. My sister went up and rescued her and brought her into the apartment. That was the day when Snowy came home for the first time.

Snowy was a boisterous little kitten, very naughty and a natural beauty with her lovely blue-grey eyes. There was never a dull moment when she was awake and around. The little smart aleck that she was, she enjoyed playing with little balls that we brought for her, climbing on the curtains and sleeping on the pelmets. The only thing that we had to hide from her were the shuttle cocks which are made from birds’ feathers, since they were her favorite pastime for tearing apart because she treated it as a game of sorts.

Snowy was a stickler for cleanliness and whenever I would spy upon her, she would be busy cleaning herself up or sleeping in the cleanest spot in the house. I can’t say about other cat owners who have cats in apartments, but Snowy sure was a quick learner and potty trained in just a couple of days' time.

Being a born hunter, she used to catch mice and birds whenever she could. Thanks to her, all the mice bid adieu to my apartment for greener, safer pastures to dwell.

One thing I may add here though. When Snowy was a little kitten, I was jobless and spent most of my time home. I used to cradle Snowy in my arms most of the day and night and she got into the habit of sleeping on her back just as humans do. It was such a pleasant sight to see.

With the coming home of Snowy, came happiness knocking on my door. I got a call for my first job. I had been trying for the past one year with no success at all. We all were so happy and pleased with this sudden change of fate. After holding office for slightly over a year, I got a private contract with a big firm to go solo. As Snowy grew older, so did the opportunities. My father was the one person who had noted the sudden turn of events after her arrival into our home.

Snowy was always there to welcome me home when I returned from office in the evening. She would jump up on to my shoulders and lick my ears. Her soft purring was the most welcoming sound of music to my ears. Snowy had a lovely trait too. She just loved to snuggle and sleep on my tummy whenever she got the chance. Snowy was a real stress buster and would make me forget all the work-related issues with her playful antics. Snowy was always lucky for me and wherever she may be now, God bless her always.