Chango is a Gato

A chango is a monkey, en español. Our Chango is a cat... a cat that has always reminded me of a monkey. He climbs trees, and his long, black tail balances his jumps and leaps, expresses his emotions, sways rhythmically, or stands upright like an aerial antenna ready to receive the waves and transmissions current in the airstream. He is wild. He is mild. He drinks from the tap.


Novio-Boy, my mommy calls him. Which makes perfect sense until I try to explain it, and it comes out as "boyfriend-boy," which sounds as though it does not make sense, but language does not translate as well as sentiment. And sentiment says, he is a Novio-Boy

He sleeps by my side, or above my head. He gets jumpy, skittish, nervioso. He hears the coyotes, then stands, his legs steady, his tail ready... he wants a tree to leap into. He is never completely at ease. Almost never. Sometimes he shows his belly, and his generous soul, his trust, makes me want to purr. He loves us. In spite of his fears, his unspoken torments, he loves us, and he wants to sleep beside us, to love, and be loved.


Chango biddy Bongo, my wild monkey cat, I love you.