Blair was a rescue cat, fostered by A Wing and A Prayer shelter out in Long Island. Born at some point in 2010, she was supposedly found in a sump in East Islip with a couple of other strays. There were accounts that she was eating cold pasta meals out of takeout tins, and was allegedly hit by a box truck one day, which caused a slight tilt to her head.

The shelter highlighted this faint physical feature, which might have deterred some potential adopters. Additionally, the chosen name didn’t shine a glamorous light on her, which was named after the Linda Blair character in The Exorcist. Who wanted to adopt a cat that could look at a person questionably all the time, and to think of a cat that might be satan? Anyone?

Blair was adopted in March 2012 by a strange couple, the Fiorilli’s. We kept her name. Her tilted head was charming. Over the years, I don’t think I notice it as much.

Although in fairly good health, her teeth were wretched. Her farts were getting too frequent, her adorable yawns turned into the most vomit-inducing smell no one could ever ask for. A jaw infection festered and her gums were getting irritated. Blair’s vet extracted 15 teeth, leaving only the canine and a few incisors, which were in good shape.

(While recovering from the dental surgery, her doctor had to tell her staff that the cat already had a tilted head, not from a neurological effect of the surgery.)

Blair still eats normally, and is only allowed fancy food and the occasional raw meat treats. No supermarket, filler fast-food for this one.

Blair eventually lost her hearing, which resorted to more of her meowing. They tend to sound like she’s yelling at us, so we can never discern whether she’s delighted to get our attention or is fed up with us.

Over the years, we have learned and cultivated various skills that Blair had shown us, such as:

→ Power napping
→ Gimlet eye power moves
→ Farts to clear out a room
→ Staredowns
→ Tripping hoomans
→ Insect carcasses under rugs

She recently learned of catch-and-release, or so that’s what we like to think.

Not much of a jumper, she enjoys lounging and falling asleep on the floor on randomly placed cat loungers and beds, especially when the place gets sunny. Bonus points in spring when I start growing catnip indoors.

She continues to be very vocal, reaching out for attention or pets. Raspy meows can be heard via work calls.

How is this senior cat got so cute?