Kismet (cat)

Kismet is a Ragdoll cat, specifically a seal point, with a body covered in soft white fur and blue-grey tips on his ears, face, legs, and tail. His appearance is strikingly regal, but this belies a personality that is notably skittish and somewhat dim.

Kismet, in a rare moment of composure.

Physical characteristics

Kismet’s coat is typical of a seal point ragdoll: long, soft fur, white across most of the body, with darker blue-grey points. His eyes are a vivid blue, large and round, and contribute to an impression of majesty — at least until he attempts to perform any task requiring intelligence. He is lighter and less physically robust than Destiny, but carries himself as though he were an emperor among peasants.

Personality and behaviour

Kismet is affectionate but skittish. He often seeks out attention and will happily accept pats and brushing, but will spook easily at sudden noises, movements, or the approach of eip mini and eip micro. He tends to avoid prolonged contact with the children, preferring the calmer company of eip and eip’s wife.

He is, in many respects, cute but stupid. He will stare at a wall for long periods, chase dust motes as though they are prey, and has been known to forget how doors work. Despite this, he sits and poses with an air of regality that photographs far better than his behaviour would suggest.

Name

It was thought unfair for Destiny to be named after such a grand concept, and Kismet to have a 'typical cat name' like Bubbles, Mr Cheese or Steve. Kismet means fate in Arabic but still sounds plausibly like a cat name, and he was so named.

Notable events

• On one occasion, Kismet ran headfirst into a closed glass door at full speed. He was unharmed but visibly confused, and the incident reinforced his reputation as a cat of limited intellect.
• Kismet once became stuck in a tree, requiring outside assistance to retrieve him. Destiny notably helped alert the family to this situation by behaving unusually near the patio, essentially pointing to Kismet’s plight.

Relationship with family

Kismet maintains a cautious relationship with eip mini and eip micro, generally keeping his distance but occasionally tolerating brief pats when in a relaxed state. He is more comfortable with eip and eip’s wife, to whom he shows greater affection and trust. Although he is the more nervous of the two household cats, his striking looks ensure he remains an object of admiration, if not always respect.