Longtime Westport resident Dodie Pettit writes:
While most residents celebrated Mother’s Day, neighbors in the Bayberry area visited 24 Meeker Road to say goodbye to a very special cat.
Though a common Tuxedo, nothing was common about him, as I learned in the 3-plus years he graced our home before passing away at age 15.
During that time, he gained such popularity that he was called “Dallas the Dazzling Ambassador.”
Dallas … (Photo/Larry Silver)
Dallas lived on Bayberry Lane most of his life. One day he showed up at our house, and made himself at home.
His owner Lisa tracked him here with an AirTag. Because he seemed to like here it so much, she asked if we’d like to adopt him.
I’d already fallen in love with him. I said, “Absolutely, yes!,” promising she could visit anytime.
We soon discovered the amazing life and world of Dallas. I’ve had dozens of cats in my life, but Dallas was unique. He made it his life’s work to visit our neighbors, and get to know them all.
… on Florian Court …
This kind of cat rarely happens anymore. People keep their pets at home, fearing loss, injury or worse.
Since I’d adopted him fully grown into his ways, I didn’t think it fair to keep him inside. Taking a leap of faith, I let him out every morning trusting he’d come back. He always did.
Dallas was too smart and savvy to get hurt by an animal or car. He was the most intelligent cat I’ve ever known. He learned the neighborhood completely. He made his rounds every day to visit, and get treats on his trail.
I also followed him on his AirTag. Often, he’d visit his former owner a mile down Bayberry. Lisa would text, “Dallas is here…want me to keep him for the night?” I’d say “Sure, send him home in the morning.”
And he’d come, visiting his many friends along the way. Over time I gathered more and more neighbor’s texts.
Last Christmas I made marmalade for Dallas’s friends. We left them in mailboxes — 21 neighbors, one as far as 1.8 miles away.
Their texts read: “Hi, Dallas is here on our lawn … in my garage … at our front door … I fed him tuna … My daughter loves your cat … Dallas slept in my living room all day, should I tell him to go home? … here’s a pic of Dallas on my front steps with the grand kids … his favorite food is lox with milk.”
… and in a home on Berkeley Road …
Everyone felt like he was their cat. One man expected him every morning on his back porch at coffee time. Others saw him at the bus stop on Meeker Road by the stonewall, watching parents collect their kids.
This spring I noticed that Dallas’s behavior was “off.” Sadly, the vet found tumors. “There’s nothing we can do,” I texted everyone.
I was not prepared for the outpouring of love and prayers. In his last days — even on Mother’s Day — families came to visit. They shared stories, and gave comfort.
How could one common cat touch so many people?
Dallas did, touching the hearts of an entire neighborhood. I have gained friendships because of him.
That’s the gift this amazing cat with a big heart brought to us. He lived larger than life, and we were the lucky beneficiaries.
Rest in peace dear Dallas. We’ll never forget you.
… and in a typical pose.
==========================================
Gary: “His spirit will dance in the gardens of Westport.”
Larry: “He was more than a great cat — more like a person than a cat, very sweet and lovable. We will all miss him.”
Christine: “We would like to bring our cat Spotty to visit Dallas this afternoon”
Jane and Brian: “We were so glad to meet Dallas in our yard… such a special cat”
Stephanie: “Thank you for letting us spend time with him… he is loved by many.”
Lourdes: “So sorry to hear about our friend Dallas!”
Pam, Ainsley: “thank you for sharing him with all of us.”
Monica: “ He can truly say he accomplished his life mission!”
Lisa: “What a legacy he leaves, a free spirit in the truest sense. No cat lived a better life. Chipmunks may rest easier, but the rest of us will miss him always. Cheers to a life well lived!”
8 Bayberry Ridge: “What a wonderful cat. We’ll miss him discovering the gardens.”
Nikki: “Everybody loved him. It was easy to do.”
Namhee: “Black-whiskered, eating where he wished, napping where he pleased, providing that a free life is simply one lived on your own terms.”
Darlene: “Sleep beneath the stars, little wanderer.”
It’s not often the first thing I read in the morning results in tears AND a full heart.
Dear Bonnie, how lovely, we should know each other xo Dodie
I loved this story because it reminded me of my well-loved black cat, Poe, who one neighbor referred to as “the mayor.” I adopted Poe when he was an adult—the rescue place said he was 2 1/2 and the vet said “at least 5.” He also prowled the Bayberry/Greenlea area and loved his daily strolls. Probably, he was most known for joining my dog and me on our daily walks, often trailing a few feet behind. If he was out too long, a simple text to the neighbors was all it took for someone to let me know where he was hanging. Sadly, he, too, at I think 13 (?), developed an inoperable tumor and I put him to sleep. But his big personality lives on. Like Dallas, he was one amazing cat.
Dan usually has songs at the end of posts. I was just thinking of one that would go with the story. Anyone thinking of the same song? Think… go back decades!!!!
I wish I got to meet Dallas on his travels. We just donated $50 to the Bridgeport Cat Rescue in honor of Dallas.
https://www.bridgeportcatrescue.org/
also, consider T.A.I.L.S
https://www.tailsct.org/
and, Hart of Maine
https://hartofme.org/
… love the Larry Silver portrait.
Dear Mike, Rex and I were So moved by your gesture and comment. we should know eachother….
Dodie
I’m a cat guy (nothing against dogs and I have two) but felines are a lot of fun. We had an orange cat named Morris who was a stray that adopted us when we were stationed in San Antonio. When we retired from the Air Force and moved to our ranch it was obvious Morris wanted to come along. We brought him with us and he lived to be 19 years old. It sounds like Dallas had a similar personality to Morris and I can see why he was so revered by so many.
Dear Bonnie, Jack, Mike, Tom
thanks for your comments, Made my Day!!
Dear Dodie, our deepest sympathies for the loss of your beloved Dallas.
What an amazing cat!
Thanks for sharing this lovely story of Dallas the ambassador of the block, who was social, independent and acted as a living thread that weaved the neighbors together. “The way that Dallas interacted dynamically would be a wonderful book series – just a thought.”
Hello MB, we thought so too… would have loved to put a camera on him and done a Tic Tok he would have amassed lots of followers, but alas we are seniors and dont keep up w the teck. I did see a nature series from England about a town that had all these cats and they tracked them w cameras and put them on TV screens to study them. It was fascinating how they had their own “routes” and territories to steer clear of other felines…. All the best Dodie
Dear Dodie,
This is an absolutely beautiful story. Dallas was a special cat who made an impression with everyone in the neighborhood. Each neighbor was touched in their own way, which makes this even more special. Thank you for sharing this inspiring story.
Rest in peace, Dallas.
For those of us who love animals, there is always a special one….we don’t often realize it while they are here but do once they are gone……Dallas was one of them. Now a lot of us will remember Dallas.
Michele McArdle, Boxer Rescue, Norwalk, CT
I don’t live near you but I take Berkeley. Rd to go to home goods from Ffld. I take the beautiful back roads at Southport Beach and through the RRStation . And from now on I will always think of Dallas The Wanderer (Rick Nelson) when I do
Hi Dodie. I now live in NC where we have a similar story about a cat named Bibi. She even has her own Facebook page! Like Dallas, she is loved by all and she loves all, just like Dallas. Take a look at her page: Bibi, the beautiful Pier Kitty of Kure Beach.
HI Patty, Thanks for sharing this! And how I would have loved to do a Facebook or Tik tok on him… I often thought of it… but alas, dont keep up w the tech… sending love…Dodie
Tuxedo cats rule. My wife had one when we got together and he became mine too. We had him in Palm Springs and he too roamed the neighborhood. One of the Beach Boys lived next door and he brought us together because he would climb over the fence into his yard and he’d call to let us know he was there and safe. Topanga Zak