Tail Tales: HSU professor, filmmaker bonds with rescue tortie
Paul Glover, associate professor of Communication and Theatre Arts at Henderson State University in Arkadelphia, has not always been a pet owner.
Though he once owned a kingsnake, not to mention a parrot that arrived through his window unforeseen, Gamma the cat stands out as his longest-lasting pet companion.
Gamma is a tortoiseshell cat — a “tortie.” About 8 years old, Gamma is female like nearly every tortoiseshell cat.
Genetically, tortoiseshells have two X chromosomes. Homogametic cats can take on coats displaying both black and orange coloration, since the two X chromosomes work together to determine fur color. Their male, heterogametic counterparts, with XY chromosomes, take only one X chromosome. They are born with either predominantly black or ginger fur for that reason.
Gamma entered Glover’s life indirectly, through a family member who adopted and named her. Gamma had lived an uncomfortable life before she met her adoptive family, to say the least.
“She was a rescue cat,” says Glover. “Oftentimes rescue animals get very territorial, and I can understand that. They feel a safe place. They don’t want anybody messing with it.”
Relative to other animals — and most people, too — Glover says that Gamma prefers to fly solo. A bond of exclusive companionship developed between Glover and Gamma.
“I’m all she’s got, so of course she’s going to get kind of attached,” says Glover.
“I asked for Gamma … because, one, I was attached big time. And then, at the time (a family member) had gotten two other cats, so it just made sense. Like, just let Gamma crash here. This is her forever home,” he said.
“She sleeps in the bed with me. But I read — it’s kind of funny — the reason they sleep at the foot of the bed and look the other way, they’re protecting. They’re looking out for predators,” says Glover.
He describes Gamma as “super playful” in youth. As she gets “older and wiser and less playful,” she has become more prone to napping. Gamma also eschews catnip in favor of CBD treats.
Glover imparts words of advice on pet ownership.
“Get ready to adjust your sleep schedule. That’s all I’ll say … Gamma’s good, I mean, I’ve seen other cats that meow all night, and you can’t do anything about it. Be patient. Don’t get mad. Never get mad with animals, because they don’t understand. There are other ways to deal with it.
“People say cats are super independent, and they’re not nice. That’s not true at all. It just depends. And clean the litter box every day,” Glover says.
“She’s my buddy,” Glover says of Gamma. “You love an animal. Like, when she dies I’m not just going to put her in a box … she’ll probably get a little tombstone or something.”
In his free time, Glover plays in a cover band (Sensory 2), performing at local haunts including the Arlington Resort Hotel & Spa and Oaklawn Racing Casino Resort.