One-Eyed Cat Inspires Tribute Tattoo On "NY Ink"

Lefty Cat Tribute Tattoo

I spent some time catching up on mah programs this weekend, including the TLC reality show "NY Ink." For the uninitiated, the show documents the goings-on at Wooster St. Social Club, a real life tattoo shop located in Soho, and run by Ami James of "Miami Ink" fame. Although I'm not inked myself, I enjoy hearing the stories behind the different tattoos, and admiring the artistry that goes into them.

Last season, artist Megan Massacre delivered a very cool Victorian-inspired dog tattoo, so I was excited when a client named Erica came to see her to get a tribute tattoo to her one-eyed cat, Lefty.

Erica wasn't originally an animal lover, but got Lefty with her two roommates after finding the cat in an antique shop where the owner said they could have her for free. As time went on, the roommates moved out, and Erica was left with the kitty, who she described as a "loner" who didn't latch on. That is until one terrible day, when Lefty consumed ribbon that was accidentally left out by a new roommate (a great reminder to NEVER leave cats unattended with ribbon, yarn, etc.), and ended up with 8 feet of it stuck in her intestines. One life saving surgery and thousands of dollars later, and the pair were bonded were life.

She opted to get her tattoo in the form of a Japanese prosperity cat (maneki neko) with Lefty's gray tabby markings, because it represented coming out of a dark time into a positive one, with Lefty as her good luck charm. Erica explained to Megan how her walls were built up, but it was her one-eyed kitty who taught her how to love.

As expected, the cattoo turned out beautifully - Megan even named it one of her favorites of the season - and on her own blog, StellaBella, Erica recounts getting the piece done on the show, which she calls a "once in a lifetime experience." She also shares that she's glad she didn't wait to get a memorial tattoo, and is looking forward to having Lefty as part of her family for many years to come.

As always, if you have a cat tattoo of your own that you'd like to share, hit me up at catsparella@gmail.com!

Image via Instagram (megan_massacre)

One-Eyed Cat Inspires Tribute Tattoo On "NY Ink"

Get Inked with Temporary Cat Tattoos by Cattoo Design

I don't think I'll ever get a tattoo, but if I did it would be cat related. If you're commitment-phobic like me, Cattoo Design founder Kate Benjamin has just released a line of cat-themed temporary tattoos so you can get the look, without being inked for life (3 to 5 days is more like it). Individual designs like paw prints, tribal cats, and my favs, "Cat Mom" and "Cat Dad" are available for $5 each (for two sheets), or you can purchase the whole set (seen above) for $20.

Get Inked with Temporary Cat Tattoos by Cattoo Design

Beautiful Mar Cat Tattoo

Mar

Congrats goes out to our friend Kendy of MissMuffcake who wrote in to share her gorgeous new kitty tattoo! Her cat Mar (a.k.a. Marilyn) is one handsome, 14-year-old, cancer surviving dude who loves eating spaghetti, smelling flowers, and being brushed.

Kendy writes:

I have been wanting to get Mar done for a few years. I went around to a handful of shops and was either unimpressed with the artist's attitude or work. I happened upon a tattoo shop while buying cosmetics in the mall and found an artist that got it! 2.5 hours later I got Mar on my arm!

Artist: Christopher Corvi

Shop: Art 4 Art Sake (Sacramento, CA)

Special thanks to Kendy for showing off her new ink! What an amazing way to symbolize how Mar is always with you!

Beautiful Mar Cat Tattoo

Fungus Cat Tribute Tattoo

Fungus

Shortly after I posted the story of Natalie's touching Bucky cattoo, Rachel wrote in with her own tale of a beloved kitty gone too soon, whose memory has been kept alive with some amazing custom ink.

Rachel writes:

My friend has this tattoo in memory of his cat Fungus (yes, Fungus!) who was hit by a car a few years ago. Never have I met such a beloved cat and our friends were all devastated. Such a great cat deserved a proper memorial, and I designed this tattoo based on a photo I took of Fungus while he was alive.

This pic was right after it was done, so it's a bit red. The best part - we can headbutt the tattoo just like we could headbutt Fungus (he was the king of headbutts)!

King of Headbutts

Special thanks to Rachel for sharing Fungus with us! I think her tattoo design came out beautifully, and is a fitting tribute to a sweet kitty who will never be forgotten.

Do you have any cat tattoos you'd like to share? Email me at catsparella@gmail.com!

Fungus Cat Tribute Tattoo

Bucky Cat Tribute Tattoo

Catsparella reader Natalie recently shared her gorgeous new cat tattoo with me, along with the story of the incredible kitty behind it. Bucky was less than a year old when he succumbed to FIP, a fatal and incurable disease in cats. Despite his short time on earth, he made a lifelong impact on Natalie that she'll never forget. Their story, in her own words, below.

Bucky

Bucky was a sweet kitten that I got at about five weeks of age when he was dropped off at a local pet shop. He was extremely ill and chunks of dog food had swelled in his esophagus from the back of his throat to his stomach, making it impossible for him to swallow or breathe properly. We extracted most of it endoscopically and he was treated for aspiration pneumonia immediately afterward. I fell in love with him instantly.

He was the sweetest, most lovable kitten in the world. He loved to play fetch with his green soccer ball, gladly wore a sweater/shirt combo to see Santa and sprawled all over my manuscript while I was writing. He was with me when I had a breakdown and when I was diagnosed with bipolar disorder. Even when he was diagnosed with asthma and required a daily inhaler treatment, people always wanted to take him home.

When he was about ten months old he became very ill and was in and out of the hospital for two weeks, before needing the last third of his colon removed due to a blockage that was then biopsied, and his mystery illness was confirmed to be FIP. I don't know how much you know about it, but FIP is always fatal and untreatable. All I could do was keep him comfortable, and as long as he was happy and cheerful, money was no object. Together we fought, medicated and kept each others' spirits up as long as possible until one day he lost his battle in my arms while I played him some soft music.

The tattoo is of him surrounded by harebells, butterfly weed, Carolina jasmine, peonies, geraniums and periwinkles. Each flower has a specific meaning tied to love, loss, grief, and healing. The words, "Skin and Claw" are from a song by Ra Ra Riot, and the full quote is "skin and claw, made to leave you." I thought it was appropriate. Because Bucky was there for me when I wrote my first novel, the tattoo is on my writing arm because he is my muse. The book is even dedicated to him!

Apparently the Chicken Soup people were as touched by his story as everyone else because it was chosen to be in their latest collection, "My Cat's Life." Everyone knows how special Bucky was!

Thank you so much to Natalie for sharing her touching tale of love and loss with us. Her story, along with countless others is included in "Chicken Soup for the Soul: My Cat's Life: 101 Stories about All the Ages and Stages of Our Feline Family Members," on sale now.

You may remember that last month, 10-month-old Exotic kitten Choco Ball also passed away from FIP. Her owners have since put together this great list of resources and reputable non-profit organizations where you can donate to help fund research for this devastating, incurable disease in cats.

Bucky Cat Tribute Tattoo