Priya Mapara & Camo
Camo and I met in New York about 6 years ago. On a shimmery fall night in the West Village, I began my search for a kitty companion. At the time, it was meant to be a quick stop before heading back to my apartment and getting lost in a flurry of adoptable cats on the Internet. I didn’t want to jump into anything, but this was love at first sight.
I entered the shelter and the staff showed me to a litter of newborn kittens. They were silky black fur balls toppling over one another. They seemed perfect! But then I turned around to find a little room with three other kitties. They were a cowboy walkin’ bunch. The litter was born with a genetic condition giving them bow legs but they had no problem getting around. As I opened the door, I saw a dainty calico kitten jaunt with confidence out in front of her more demure siblings. She sniffed my hand and gave me a look of skepticism and acceptance. That spark between us drew me back every night that week. During one of our visits, I noticed that she had some eye boogers. I took a chance, and with her trust, I was able to clean her crusty little eye. In that moment, we knew we could spend our lives together.
“She enjoys this peek-a-boo balance. It’s why I named her Camo. She’ll hide in plain sight. But it’s pure magic when she reveals herself.”
When adoption day came around I was sick with the flu but determined to pick her up. It was a dizzying experience. We arrived home and of course Camo immediately dashed under the futon. I rolled out a circus in the apartment in an attempt to woo her and eventually dropped to the ground depleted of energy. I remember facing Camo under the metal and springs, drifting in and out of a fever dream. Hours passed and I woke up to find her out from under the bed. She was lying by my leg. Her side brushed my calf and her little legs crisscrossed in the air. We looked up at each other and shared a slow, sleepy blink. She taught me the rewards of patience. These days, if she goes hiding, I give her space. She’ll come out eventually, probably for a snack. We’ll sit for a cuddle and eat dinner together.
Camo’s skeletal condition isn’t totally clear. When I adopted her, I knew she would be a permakitten and need joint/hip care as she grows older but not much else. Her vets have been perplexed by her bone structure. It doesn’t seem to fit the description of any one condition perfectly. She’s as spry as ever though. She gets a healthy dose of supplements daily and is currently working on her triple axel!
Between life’s more playful moments she is most likely napping by a window. When I wake in the morning, I can find her lazing on a pillow, inconspicuously among the folds. There’s usually a single sun streak bathing her back. She enjoys this peek-a-boo balance. It’s why I named her Camo. She’ll hide in plain sight. But it’s pure magic when she reveals herself.
Priya Mapara is a product designer by trade and a cat mom by calling. She believes a cheese plate and a glass of wine is always a good idea. Before covid, she enjoyed seeing live music and comedy shows. These days, nothing beats cozying up on the couch with her partner and kitty.