Avalon: a Heartwarming True Cat Story

MY REVIEW

The day Avalon crossed paths with Vanessa, her life as she new it ended. Was it fate?

I think it was. Avalon was a handsome cat, a Turkish Van, the breed Vanessa had been looking for. She new they were a possessive breed, but nothing prepared her for this cat.

He tortured the other cats in her household, threw up on her guinea pig, and flew into tantrums, tearing her house apart if she looked at another creature, especially another cat.

But there was another side to Avalon. Adoration. He adored Vanessa. He was hers. And as Vanessa’s life changed, she was his.

This story is about Vanessa as much as it’s about Avalon. She tells much about herself, her past, her thoughts, as the years pass.

Sharing her vulnerabilities, sacrificing opportunities, through good times and bad, Vanessa gave her all to Avalon.

Most pet owners soon learn they aren’t owners. Their pet is not a pet, it’s a member of the family. And sometimes they rule the roost.

The extremes Avalon went to astounded me. Puking on the guinea pig, terrorizing the other cats, letting his displeasure be known with  escalating howls, even kicking her boyfriend out, he was to be commended for his unswerving spirit.

The things Vanessa gives up for Avalon may seem like a bit much, but haven’t we all done things for our furry friends that may seem ridiculous to others? I know I have.

Vanessa feels like their paths crossed for a reason. Her and Avalon were meant to be together. And I believe her. Never have I heard of such a bond as they shared.

This story made me cry. But I smiled through the tears and when I finished it, I hugged my dog and my cat, gave them some special treats, and when we snuggled together at bedtime, I felt whole.

5 Stars

Filming of The Strangers Outside took place in August and
September 2010. Avalon joined the set for two days. The location: a vacation
cabin in the woods of Sint-Katelijne-Waver, a place where shadows came alive
and danced with the rare patches of light. The perfect site for a horror movie.

Outside the vacation cabin, the film crew prepared for
action. Camera tripods and lights were set up. An actor in monk clothes smoked
his last cigarette before the shoot.

Two large tables with food and drinks sat in the shade, each
bottle of water labeled with the name of an actor or crew member. Avalon had a
bottle all for himself.

Avalon was remarkably at ease on set. He examined the
vacation cabin for about half an hour, sniffing his way through the dusty
corners, before settling into a deep sleep on the couch.

While everyone fawned over Avalon and fed him snacks from the
buffet table, the director gave us a quick rundown of the scene to come. “The
camera focuses on Avalon lying on the coffee table. In the background, through
the windows, we see actors Pierre Lekeux and Iulia Nastase arriving home.
Avalon follows their movements with his head as they move from one side of the
house to the other. When the front door opens, Avalon jumps off the table to
greet them.”

“Avalon won’t do that,” I said. “Just like children, cats are
uncontrollable. It’s a great idea for a scene, but I’m afraid you’ll have to
come up with something less demanding.”

Apparently, I didn’t know my cat very well, because Avalon
did exactly what was expected of him.

Sitting at the dining table, actor Pierre Lekeux watched Avalon
with incomprehensibility and admiration, shaking his head in denial. “I need at
least twenty minutes to prepare a scene, to enter a certain state of mind. But
this cat nails it in a matter of seconds. Avalon’s the best actor on set. He’s
even better than me.”

Pierre was right. Avalon had this air–he carried himself in
a certain way, very much aware of his charisma. He was a natural performer. A
miniature star.