Feline fine

Nine years ago, Stacey Bishop browsed through rows of animals at the Kootenai Humane Society in search of a solution. Her barn on the outskirts of Coeur d’Alene was overrun with rodents. She and her children planned to free a few cats from their confinement at the shelter and grant them a life of cat-and-mouse games.

A claw reached out from one of the cages and grabbed Bishop’s shirt that day. It stopped her long enough to notice the cat with a pretty face and an unusual pair of eyes. One was green and the other blue. Petal’s unique look and gregarious nature got her adopted that day along with two other cats. She was 6 months old.

Country life was hard on the cats. Bishop believes that owls or coyotes got two of them. The hunting was left to Petal, who disappeared for weeks at a time. Bishop thought she was gone forever a few times, but she’d always show up, each time a bit heavier than the last. The lone surviving cat seemed to have no trouble feasting on barn chow and other animals’ food. By age 6, her weight had climbed to 33 pounds.

Given the same circumstances, none of Bishop’s other animals suffered from obesity. She has two dogs she rescued from the animal shelter as well. Three years ago, Bishop decided that it was time to take action.

“I felt sorry for her, how fat she was,” she said. “I thought she needed some help.”

Bishop’s plan was to bring Petal inside, pamper her, clean her, and make her the shop cat for Petal Pushers, Bishop’s nursery and garden center on Government Way in Coeur d’Alene.

“I figured she’d be in cat heaven,” Bishop said.

As an indoor pet, Bishop could control the cat’s intake. There would be little access to mice or other morsels. Yet after three years on a diet consisting of one half cup of cat food per day, Petal lost only two pounds. She still weighs more than an average 1-year-old child.

It’s unlikely that she’s hoarding clandestine snacks. Bishop has come across no leftover carcasses or tails, she said.

Phone calls have come from as far as Texas to ask about Petal after her photo was placed on the store’s Web site. People are either concerned about her health or want to sneak her treats. Store employees request that they make a contribution to the Humane Society instead.

Occasionally, visitors accuse Bishop of overfeeding her. They don’t understand, Bishop said. Petal’s veterinarian determined that, just like with some people, it’s most likely in Petal’s genes. Weight loss won’t come easily.

Negative comments are rare, Bishop said. More often, customers take photos and are in amazement of Petal’s size. Out-of-town visitors stop in just to see her. Despite the extra pounds, Petal remains agile enough to scurry after an occasional chipmunk, jump onto a chair, or bat at an overeager toddler. She prefers adults and tranquil, older children.

On warm days, she likes to stretch in the sun. She greets the guests at Bishop’s shop by rolling onto her back for a pat on the belly. She strolls under baskets of petunias and lounges under tables of garden ornaments. At night, she sleeps in a four-poster bed and has the shop to herself. She is considerate of the merchandise and leaves it alone.

Petal has bloomed with the attention, which came as a surprise to Bishop.

“We didn’t expect that,” she said. “I thought she’d stay in the back and hide.”

Instead, the rotund feline takes center stage in the shop, where her leopard print basket is surrounded by her photos and a framed story of her life.

“She became very social and really wanted to be out there,” Bishop said. “There are a lot of cat lovers in Coeur d’Alene, and people really seem to love Petal.”

It may not be as thrilling as her days in the country, but Petal seems satisfied with her new life. Mostly, she sleeps. She likes to sprawl across Bishop’s chest and she covers it entirely.

Petal Pushers’ customers seek out Petal during shopping trips and keep tabs on her health.

“They take very good care of Petal, and so does the community,” said Sue Nussear, a frequent patron. She stopped shopping long enough to give the store mascot a quick snuggle on a recent visit.

“I love the cat,” she said.