Kedi Page #3

They dont need to apologize.

I guess there are people

who expect that from a cat.

"I gave you all that food

and you wont even sit on my lap."

A relationship where they

expect a return on an investment.

Down the hill in Cihangir, there used

to be a big harbor during the Ottoman era.

Ships from Norway

and elsewhere would come with cargo.

Sailors would keep cats

on board to fend off rats.

As cargo was being unloaded,

cats would get off the boat

thinking that theyd made it to land.

And trek up to the top of the hill.

Later, theyd miss the boat

and begin life here in Cihangir.

Now, there are

countless kinds of cats in this area.

Norwegian cats,

and cats from all over the world.

Theres a lot of variety.

Later, the first Ottoman sewers

were built in this part of the city.

And giant rats would terrorize residents.

Thats why every house had a cat.

To fend off the giant sewer rats.

His name was "Milkman"

when he first showed up.

Hed come around to drink milk and leave.

He was barely a year old.

He hadn't been neutered.

Then he started showing up all beat up.

He got into fights

with other males over the ladies.

He got kicked one time and

showed up with a dislocated leg.

He was bitten by a dog and

showed up with a hole in his butt.

But it never ruins

his mood hes always happy.

A neighbor of mine started

calling him carefree, happy-go-lucky.

So the name Gamsiz carefree stuck.

Our vet Elif down the road

thought Gamsiz was in love with her.

Because at one point we were making

a trip to the vet every two weeks.

Constantly getting in trouble.

Hed have an accident, get hurt,

or develop a fungal infection.

For months,

we visited the vet every two weeks.

Once he spent a whole winter at the vet.

Doesnt that get expensive?

I guess it does.

But we all have running tabs at the vet.

Theres a bunch of us in the neighborhood.

We have an open tab

at pretty much every vet.

We also collect donations

which help with these expenses.

Whatever is in our tip box goes to the cats.

Gamsiz is a bit of a thug.

Hes feisty,

the tough guy of the neighborhood.

But, if you wanted go out at night,

hes the one youd want to go out with.

Hes that guy. Hes fun.

Theres Lain

across the street he really likes her.

Shes told me that he comes

to her window and demands to be let in.

Or hell go up to the front door

if he wants to enter the building.

She says sometimes

he even spends the night.

When he wants sausages, he goes to Filiz.

Everyone offers something different

but there are also the people

that cats choose for themselves.

Gamsiz has a wide range.

Im the main human in his life

others are supporting actors.

Because Im on the first floor,

its easy for cats to come up here.

My place has many visitors

but I try not to let them in

because I have a cat of my own.

Murat doesnt take care of just one cat.

He cares for many

and knows all their characters.

I met Gamsiz at the caf,

he was lying on the couch.

And when I tried to sit down,

he smacked me. Thats how we met.

After that,

I smothered him with love, of course.

They take note of that immediately, you know.

They remember if you made a connection.

As a result, he came up here.

At first I didnt let him in.

But unlike anyone else,

Gamsiz stands sideways.

Like this.

A single paw in the air.

He seems to be knocking like this.

Hes always like that.

Whereas all other cats,

including mine, stand facing forward.

But this guy, whether he comes

up to the front or back window

always has this sideways stance.

He strikes this charming pose.

And with that paw,

he somehow gets your attention.

If you ignore him,

he gets even more persistent.

Especially if youre right

where he wants to come in

he gets really rowdy

and eventually forces you to let him in.

I respect him a lot because of that.

Whats really special

about him is that hes a go-getter.

Once he makes up his mind about something...

lets say hes decided

to come here and eat Geces food

thats his mission for the day.

Theres no stopping him.

Come, Gece!

OK, thats enough. Everybody out.

Ginger is new to the neighborhood.

Weve only recently started seeing him.

But hes really determined

to take over the neighborhood.

Hes fighting over territory.

"My hood."

"I might be new here,

but Im a cat of strength."

"Im a cat of quality."

"Youll see,

Ill gain control of this territory."

Thats his attitude.

Thats what I first admired about cats

the way I admired superheroes

like Spiderman or Superman...

I believed cats had superpowers too.

I never stopped being in awe of them.

Having nine lives,

or being able to land on all four feet

If only we could land on all fours.

We land on two and they snap like twigs.

I had to leave early yesterday.

I was sad I couldnt bring enough food.

I couldnt eat my dinner

with a clear conscience.

Its overwhelming

when I think of them back there.

I have a lot of friends

who know what I do here...

but they dont understand

why I take it upon myself.

They think God will provide for them.

I say "Sure, but Im the middleman."

Besides, its better than

spending my time at the caf.

Even though hes young, he prefers fish.

One of them has an eye infection.

So I have to give him antibiotic drops.

We've picked up a few things

after so many trips to the vet.

I know all of them.

I know this ones mother,

her aunts, all five generations.

I remember all her family members.

The one that just gave birth...

shes this ones little sister.

During winter,

they find shelter under those rocks.

They stay alive with the warmth of the sea.

Other than that, they dont have a home.

Theres one missing here.

The one that just gave birth.

Lets see if shell come when I call.

I had a nervous breakdown in 2002.

Thats when I got more involved with cats.

Doing this cured me.

I was really caught up, I was really lost.

This truly is therapy.

Now Im happy, honestly. Thanks to them.

I wouldnt be otherwise.

No drug was able to save me.

Theyre all waiting for me here.

Their feeding time is near.

I believe I got healthy

again by taking care of them.

Before, I couldnt talk or laugh.

But now...

lets just say,

they make you fall in love again.

Just as you notice the cat,

the cat notices you.

Its very mutual.

I think that mesmerizes

me a little, that its so reciprocal.

Its like a mirror.

Duman Smokey

has been with us for two years.

My guess is that

he was kicked out of some place,

because the first night he showed up

I saw him coming down the street

he was complaining very loudly.

He wont let himself

be a pet like other cats.

He never harasses our customers for food.

In time, I came to realize

that he was different to other cats.

Hes a cat with manners.

No matter how hungry he is,

he wont come in, even if the door is open.

He lets us know

hes hungry by pawing at the window.

Hes a bit of a glutton.

He knows that his favorite food is back here

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