Shipkeeper Steve Read and Erik
|
NEWS FLASH: December 14, 2007
ERIK SURVIVES BRUSH WITH FROZEN DEATH!!
As staff were arriving at the Museum at 8:30 this morning, it was noted by a member of the public
that a cat had been seen in the Harbour during what was an extremely nasty part of the day.
It was Erik!! He had been overcome by curiosity and was investigating some work being done on the
waterfront when he went in. Seizing a small pontoon boat, our heroic boatbuilder Eamonn Doorly hit
the harbour to fish out the frozen feline, assisted by our intrepid security officer Jason Muise,
who tended the lines to the boat from the wharf. Once ashore, Erik took off like a rocket, leading
to the formation of a search party. Erik was found at one of his favourite haunts, the
Daily News offices in Summit Place, where the staff, who know and love him well were tending to his sad,
soggy self. Erik is expected to be just fine once he dries off but certainly went through at least
one of his nine lives today!
The Maritime Museum of the Atlantic is currently the home to three unique and wonderful mascots, each of which has brought pleasure to our visitors over the years. Clara, Erik and Merlin are as much a part of
the staff as any of the two-legged members of the Museum Crew and each has a story to tell.
Since her arrival at the Museum wharves in 1981, the retired hydrographic survey vessel CSS Acadia has been the home to four ship's cats, which we classify as Rodent Control Officers.
The first was Nannie, a coal black tabby, who gave birth to a litter of kittens aboard ship and who vanished one year when Halifax was host to the Atlantic Bowl College Football Championships.
She was succeeded by the magnificent Bertram Q. Bilgewater or Bert, a dead-ringer for Sylvester from the Bugs Bunny cartoons and one of the waterfront's most popular residents for many years.
Bert embodied the true spirit of the wharf cat, tangling with a variety of critters over the years, from rats and gulls to mink and much larger dogs! After many years of gallant service, Bert was struck
down by a sudden illness and despite a heroic fight, detailed in the local newspapers, passed away.
Acadia currently employs two Rodent Control Officers:
 Clara
Clara was rescued from the Bide-a-While animal shelter as a replacement for Bert. Although described by shelter staff as "feisty", she decided that she would rather assume the role of the ship's official mascot.
She is very friendly and docile and people of all ages have been drawn to her gentle, plus-sized charms. Clara may well be the most photographed cat in town as she loves to roam the waterfront in search of new people to meet
and from whom she can bum food.
Clara also enjoys playing with string and sleeping, usually in that order. She has a personal groomer on staff and also has regular visits to the kitty day spa for a much-needed
trim.
Clara loves short strolls, usually from one sunny nap site to another and long stretches of uniterrupted slumber. Her motto has always been..."You can never get too much sleep!"
Erik
Erik joined the Museum Crew during the height of the Tall Ships 2000 craze. One evening, Steve Read, one of the ship's staff, was proceeding back to the vessel when he noticed he was being followed by an
orange tabby, who wouldn't take no for an answer. He came aboard ship and has been a part of the crew ever since, taking on the role of Junior Rodent Control Officer. A trip to the vet revealed that Erik
was about three years old and that a return visit would have to be arranged for another three months. Despite coming back from that second visit with two less pieces of tackle, Erik's love for the ship
and her staff is as strong as ever.
Erik is more of roamer than Clara and likes to frequent the many businesses that occupy the Summit Building on the Halifax waterfront, where he is held in high esteem.
The Museum is constantly receiving pictures of Erik from various companies in a variety of hats and poses, which speaks volumes as to how much he is loved. His roaming
has occasionally landed him in hot water and he has been taken home by people from time to time under the false assumption that he is lost! As his tag says, "I know
where I live, please leave me be!"
If you have cats and are are as devoted to them as we are and if your cats would like to become virtual friends with Clara and Erik, please visit Catster, an online tribute to all felines and a great place to
exchange stories and info on your feline friend. Click on the badges for the cats below.
Merlin
Merlin, a four year old Rainbow Macaw, joined the Museum crew during our Pets at Sea event in 2006.
Merlin is particularly fond of green grapes, peanuts, carrots, walnuts and yes, even crackers! Merlin has two meals each day, a lunch consisting of
Harrison's Bird Food and nuts and a mid-afternoon snack, usually consisting of some steamed veggies and fruit. His snacks usually
consist of craisins and Sunni-Orchard Nutri Berries.
Rainbows macaws are a hybrid, caused by cross-breeding the Scarlet and Golden Blue macaw. Most people assume that Merlin comes from the Brazilian Rain Forest but the closest he'll ever get is if our sprinkler system goes off by accident!
Merlin has a visit to the vet every six months for a general inspection and to have his pin feathers clipped. This prevents him from taking off into the rafters of the Museum and allows for people to enjoy him at closer range. Since macaws can live to be
80 or 90 years old, you'll have plenty of chances to stop in for a visit.
Merlin is quite talkative and laughs and sneezes on a regular basis. "Cracker" and "Peek-a-boo" are a regular part of his vocabulary. He is usually willing to talk to people but is also quite happy to chat to himself, especially during the middle of the afternoon, when he sometimes
has a nap.
|
