Episodes > 109 > Rescue Cat

This Week's Rescue Cat:

TOP RESCUE CAT: Mooch
The Traveling Fat Cat

The first thing you see when you look at this “large and in-charge” black cat named Mooch, is regal attitude. He is, without a doubt, the ruler of his domain; A panther, a tiger, The King. Weighing in at 20 lbs, this 17-year old cat has developed a distinctive personality, and some amazing career highlights.

Mooch started out as a rescue animal from New Britain’s Humane Society, in Connecticut, and through time, he evolved into a king. As a first time pet owner, I took great care to name him right (as the naming of a cat is a ritualistic process), and so he eventually earned his name of “Mooch” by secretly sneaking pieces of food from plates here and there (which probably started the weight trend for this feline).

So what makes Mooch such a king of cats?
Although he weighs 20 pounds, he moves at speeds up to 80 miles an hour. He has climbed through the Rockies, the Appalachians, passed through the corn fields of Nebraska and traveled from sea to shining sea. He has even chased dogs twice his size and lived to tell about it… The truth is, Mooch, despite his size is a formidable foe.

So where does Mooch call home?
He actually has two! Ruth and Dave Busse, are school teachers in Connecticut, so their summers are free for traveling the country with Mooch in their RV. Since Mooch joined the family, he has visited almost every state and seen some of the United States’ most beautiful sights.

His job during summer vacation is essential. Ruth calls him the RV’s official engineer. “When we’re driving, he’ll sit in the “engineer’s” seat, which is right behind me in the co-pilot seat, and sleep… I mean, check the gauges and prepare the coach for travel.”

Dave says one of Mooch’s biggest adventures happened in Wausaw, Wisconsin, where he almost got left behind.

“We’d just finished dumping the tanks in the RV and I got inside and started to drive off. It was then that I just happened to look in the mirror and see a little black object trailing after the coach. And then I realized—it was Moochie out there! I slammed on the breaks to stop the boat so we could get our kitty-cat back on-board to sail off!”

As soon as he was named, Mooch immediately took to his new lifestyle. He lounged in the family room’s late evening sun, hunted the mice and bugs found on the porch, and made sure he was in everyone else’s business.

“He always likes to know what we’re doing… especially in the kitchen,” my Grandma says, “even if it’s not food for him, he’ll waddle along beside you and keep bumpin’ up against your legs.”

Like a real king, he takes daily strolls through his territory, weather permitting, of course. My Grandfather accompanies him for hours on end as he hunts mice, bugs and frogs by our pond. You see, the back yard of our house is like the hunting grounds for the kings of long ago.

“He occasionally catches a bird and brings it in as a present for mother. Of course, we don’t like it so much, but he thinks he’s a real lion stalking his prey,” my Grandpa says, “You should see him when he presents us with a present, he’s really— I mean really proud of himself.”

Mooch’s real reason for being called The King is that he constantly “brushes” his mane to look his best, and when he sits, it’s very erect and regal. He looks like one of the lion statues typically seen outside grandiose buildings. Despite his weight, Mooch has become something very special to me and my family. Although he’s a King, he certainly knows how to protect and love his family.

Though, it is quite a work out just to pick him up, his purring and nuzzling are all worth it.