In Memory of Two Jakes (1991-2008)

He was a good cat. We came up together, and enjoyed each others' company. He was a cool cat, always came around when it was getting burned. He didn't like water in containers, but only drank from the running faucet, we would have to turn it on for him, but he never turned it off. He was a chilled cat, he liked going outside and he would explore the perimeter, he would go down the street to Bob & Peggy's back door to get a little more food or treats. He liked to chase rocks under the deck and in Terry's backyard, he knew they were rocks but he still gave them good chase. He was a proficient hunter. He attempt to bring the caught and usually dead mice into the house. One time, on a weekend, he stumbled upon a group of mice, and ate them all after catching each one. He liked to play with strings, he loved to hide and ambush the string, but if there were too many people around he would be self-conscious, and not want to play with the string. He loved boxes and paper bags, he would get in them and become very fierce, entertaining himself with his play. He didn't like cars, when he was young he would run inside when a car drove by, and he did not like entering them, probably thinking he was headed to the vet. He would look in the window when he wanted to be let in downstairs after the new deck (c. 1999) was built. He did not like his hind paws touched, though he wasn't so bothered if his fore paws were touched. He lived his whole life on self-served dry food and would freak-out when it ran low. He didn't like cooked human food, but loved licking the inside of tuna fish cans, and I would put them out on the deck so he could lick them. One time on Pesach, he ran out of food and i gave him some cooked beef but he just licked it a little and didn't eat it, later I gave him some raw beef and he ate it.

See the Chayei Adam, Laws of the Meal (45:1)

It is forbidden for a person to eat anything until he has [first] given food to his animal and fowl that he is responsible to feed, as it is written (Deuteronomy 11, 15) “I shall provide grass in your field for your cattle”, and later “and you will eat and you will be satisfied”. See above in [the Chayei Adam, Laws of Blessings] 5:11, as to whether [feeding one’s animals] is an interruption between the blessing of “HaMotzi” and eating. If one needs to drink, then the person is given precedence, as it is written (Numbers 20, 8) “[you shall bring forth water from the rock] and give drink to the assembly and to their animals” (Shulchan Aruch Orach Chaim §167). It is a pious custom to give food to eat to his chickens [1] and not rely on what they will find in the garbage. And similarly a cat [2] that grew up in his house. It is forbidden to cause pain to living creatures, as it is written (Deuteronomy 22, 4) “you shall not see the donkey of your brother or his ox falling on the road and hide yourself from them; you shall surely stand them up, with him”, which is because of causing pain to living creatures. [3] Nevertheless, everything that is necessary for the needs of Mankind is permitted. Therefore, it is permitted to remove feathers from living geese, [4] however the [Jewish] world still refrains from doing this, as it is cruelty (Shulchan Aruch Even HaEzer §5).

Notes
[1] Domestic birds (over 100 varieties) raised by humans since ancient times for their eggs and meat.
[2] Small carnivorous quadruped mammal of the genus Felis (Felis domesticus), which has been raised by humans since ancient times, (and Felis sylvestris, which is wild and native to Great Britain) related to the lion, tiger, leopard, puma, and jaguar.
[3] See the Chayei Adam, Laws of Shabbos (14:8) and (59:11) regarding milking cows on Shabbos. See also the Chayei Adam, Laws of Tishah b’Av (135:15).
[4] Birds of the sub–family Anserinæ including the common domesticated goose (Anser domesticus).

You're probably wondering why his name was Two Jakes, good question. He was adopted to replace the previous cat whose name was Chinatown (197?-1991) and as we all know the sequel to the movie "Chinatown" (1974) was "The Two Jakes" (1990) [both starred Jack Nicholson (b. 1937)] so therefore his name was Two Jakes, though he might have answered to many formulations of that.

Here's the O'Jays trying to explain...

"A Song For Donny" - The Whispers

Here is the tribute of the Whispers to the great Donny Hathaway (1945-1979).

The Intruders "I'll Always Love my Mama" (1973)

Well people, its the Day of the Mother. Everyone should be nice to their mothers. I am looking forward to the time when I'll be real nice to my mother. Love you Mom!

This is the monumental song by the legendary Intruders of Philadelphia. It appeared on earth in 1973. Its really a hip song. and the early 1970's interlude with conversation is classic. and the characterization of papa...wow.