Winery Cat, R.I.P.

A great number of wineries, especially in the Napa Valley, make a big deal out of their resident dogs. Here at subterranean cellars, we've always had a winery cat, the same one since the beginning of our 12-year run--an infectious, seriously orange Manx-based critter named Roughy, short for Orange Roughy (since a fish name seemed all too appropriate for a cat and his food-crazed owners).


My parents were farm people from southern Indiana, and they passed on to me the notion that household animals had to earn their keep, not just be decorative. Which is why I've never understood winery dogs. I mean, do they herd grapevines, or what? I suspect they mainly make their owners seem more virile. Cats catch mice, as Roughy did in my winemaking garage more than once--though of course what he then did was bring the still-living, squirming rodent inside, show it off to us, and then chase it around the house, until it disappeared under the couch. But he had the right idea.

And another thing: when was the last time you heard a wine described as having the aroma of "dog pee"? I mean, a wine you'd want to drink?

Roughy came from a Berkeley animal shelter. We picked him because as we were cruising the available kitties, he walked right up to the front of the cage, terrified though he was, gazed deep into our eyes, and purred. "Aloof" was not in his behavioral vocabulary. His lack of tail (our son Diego soon dubbed him "Stumpy") was more than made up for by an expansive personality (catonality?): gregarious, greeting everybody who entered the house not by sniffing their crotches--OK, he wasn't tall enough to sniff most crotches--but by snuggling up to their ankles. Whenever people came over to crush grapes, or press grapes, or bottle wine, Roughy showed up to supervise. He couldn't keep his nose out of the humans' business, and no one seemed to mind.

Naturally, he was immortalized on our wine labels--MusCAT, with the emphasis on CAT.

99/00/01 Santa Barbara County

MusCATo Dolce

(Muscat Canelli / Orange Muscat)

 

 

subterranean cellars

berkeley, ca

This January, Roughy developed a tumor on the side of his neck, and we had it surgically removed, and were convinced it was benign. We and the vet were wrong. The swelling started coming back in September, more aggressive than ever, and it turned out it was cancerous, and pretty far along. We decided to go ahead with another surgery, not thinking it would make him live forever--our first choice--but that it would buy him and us some time.

We took him in early last Thursday morning, and waited by the phone. And waited. The surgery took forever, and the vets worked their tails off (pardon the metaphor). Late in the afternoon, we got a call from the surgeon, saying the Rougher had gotten through the operation, but was having trouble regaining his breathing. And then his heart failed. And then Nancy and I had a good, long cry.

We both still see him every time we turn a corner in the house or the garage or the yard, all the places he used to be all the time. I haven't tripped over him, crashing into a table or a door frame, in several days, and I miss that, too.

Subterranean cellars has lost its beloved four-footed fuzzball, and a big piece of its soul.

Comments

[Jennie]

My deepest condolences on losing Roughy to the big litter box in the sky. I'm sure he is looking down upon you, purring loudly, and masterminding your blending. I don't have to tell the two of you how very much he will be missed, both as a loving family member and the Sub Cellars mascot. It just won't be the same over there, I know, but you ca be sure he lives on in our loving memories. Wishing you comfort and smiling memories, as well. xo Jennie

[james vann]

Nancy & Tim:
Deepest sympathy on the loss of your independent masCAT, "Roughy." Though greatly to be missed, his essence will remain eternal.

[Birdi]

Everybody who met him will be having a good long cry. I'm absolutely sure you've got a good year coming at the cellars after providing Roughly with 12 stellar ones. Drink to him--early and often. Birdi

[Siew-Chinn Chin]

Dear Nancy and Tim,

My deepest sympathy on the passing of your beloved Orange Roughy. May his spirited and joy-filled life be always in your vivid memory. Cheers!
Siew-Chinn Chin

[Susan Patterson]

What a lovely tribute to a very sweet puddy. I was fortunate to know him. We had to put our 10-year-old torbie Lucy to sleep the night before we left for Landers. We got her at the Sacramento pound, and she was a day past her execution date. She provided us years of companionship, and at the end cost us thousands of dollars in vet bills (which we would probably do all over again, and we're grateful to have been able to afford it). Turned out her kidneys were not repairable. But the good news is that there are zillions of unwanted kitties at the pound, and there's another one just waiting for you to walk by. We just adopted a kitten that looks just like Roughy, and named him Puff (the Magic Tabby)after you and Dan.

Susie Patterson

[Miranda Ewell]

A beautiful tribute for a beautiful pussycat! I am especially fond of the photo of Roughy snoozing in the sun. Teaching us to relax and enjoy life. A perfect Taoist examplar. When the ache of missing him has eased a bit, maybe it will help to think of his death as a transition and transformation rather than a loss. Sending you both big hugs, Miranda

[Wanda Hennig]

Hi Tim — Love your post. And will miss Roughy. Condolences — and lots of love xxx

[Phillip Gardiner]

Tim and Nancy,

I am sorry for your loss; I am soory for my loss; and I am sorry for all of us who loved the roughfy kittie cat.

Phil G.