19-year-old ‘perpetual kitten’ voted cutest cat in the Olympia area. Meet Spider
If you were allowed only one word to describe Spider the cat, “resilient” would be fitting. So would “loved.”
The 19-year-old feline was found abandoned in a marshy field as a tiny kitten.
Rob Wieman, from Tumwater, gave him a home and his heart — and in return Wieman has gotten years of entertainment, delight and companionship from the furry friend, who was voted the cutest cat in The Olympian’s contest.
Spider, who’ll turn 20 soon, recently beat cancer, so the victory is all the sweeter.
“He’s a resilient little guy,” Wieman told The Olympian by phone after being informed of Spider’s triumph.
Spider will now be entered into a second contest to determine the cutest cat in the country across more than 20 McClatchy newspapers, launching Monday, Nov. 10.
‘Really good companions for people’
Nearly 20 cats from in and near Thurston County were entered into the contest, which launched in October.
Spider emerged as the winner through two rounds of voting by the public.
Wieman, who works in communications and enjoys getting outdoors, said older cats are often overlooked when people consider adoption, and black cats are also sometimes spurned for superstitious reasons. He hopes Spider is a reminder that they “can be really good companions for people.”
Perpetual kitten
When Wieman first met Spider, the fuzzy kitten could fit in the palm of his hand.
Spider had a habit of scampering sideways, like a spider, hence his name.
Even after Spider became an adult and then gained senior status, Wieman would describe him as a perpetual kitten, “because until about a year ago he showed very few signs of slowing down.”
Then Wieman noticed a bump on Spider’s leg that turned out to be cancer.
Thankfully, Spider is now cancer free after surgery. He’s enjoying life — and bringing joy.
“He’s an endless source of entertainment. He loves burrowing under blankets. He loves being cradled like a human baby. He likes to nip at my ankles like a dog. Like clockwork every night, he yowls what I’ve come to understand as a goodnight,” Wieman said.
To Wieman, Spider is “entertainingly enigmatic,” and also “unquestionably the sweetest being in existence.”
And he’s cute and funny and steadfast — a true friend, a true companion.
“He’s just been a consistent presence over the years,” Wieman said. “He’s seen a lot. He’s seen me change a few careers, a few homes, a few emergency contacts. I’ve hiked a thousand miles, and he’s always been at the finish line when I got home.”
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