Animals touch us in ways we can't explain or even understand. Who would think that naming a Calico cat as stationmaster of a Japanese train station would draw not just attention but so many visitors? Now Tama's likeness adorns souvenirs and even trains!
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Sad news from Japan this week – Tama the Cat passed away. She was the honorary stationmaster for the Kishi train station on the outskirts of Wakayama City in southeastern Japan.
About eight years ago, the railway operator was looking for a way to attract visitors to the area. Tama, a calico cat, found her calling, hanging out in the ticket booth wearing a railway hat and being generally available for passengers to see and pet as they traveled to and from and through the area. It didn’t take long for word to spread and Tama became famous.
At the time of Tama’s appointment the Kishi train station was teetering on the brink of a shutdown due to the low number of riders. Now, the station is not just a depot but a destination. Tama’s popularity had folks riding the train just to visit (and maybe get a picture) with the feline stationmaster. Business has been so good that not only did Tama save the train station from a shutdown, her image can be found on all sorts of items available in the souvenir shop. There is also a Tama Café with chairs and desserts that have a “Tama” theme. Even the trains that run through there have drawings of calico cats all over the outside. The governor of Wakayama called her a “tourism superstar”.
Tama had a great life – she was 16 years old when she died of heart failure. That’s 81 in cat years. But her legend lives, and her understudy (or apprentice) Nitama will have to carry on in Tama’s memory. There will be a funeral for Tama at Kishi Station tomorrow.
I must admit I have a soft spot for calico cats, especially those with the bold black-orange-white patterns in their fur. One interesting thing about calicos is that they are almost always female. It has to do with genes and chromosomes. Only about one in three thousand calico cats are male.
June is Adopt-a-Cat Month, a great time to find a beautiful calico cat or kitten, or any other color you like. Visit your local animal shelter. You may not see a stationmaster, but you just might find a new best friend, when you’re speaking of pets.
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