queen of the lobby
A Tribute to Mama Kitty
After spending well over 22 years of her life as The Inn At Spanish Head's beloved lobby cat, Mama Kitty has passed away. This is her story.
Bell Captain Marc Rini was Mama Kitty's 'chosen person' since the beginning.
Here's her story in his words:
Here's her story in his words:
We first met Mama Kitty when she was caring for what we assume was her first litter. She had four in that litter, and we ended up going through a few large bags of cat food before the kittens went out on their own.
There was another cat involved, Daddy Cat. Mama was in love with him, and so were the kittens. Quite adorable to witness. After the kittens went out on their own, mama followed Daddy cat down to the entrance of the hotel on the other side of the highway. Though Mama was completely feral, Daddy Cat was friendly enough that I could pet him. Mama would watch from the top of the steps as I petted her big handsome love interest at the edge of the carpet in front of the Inn. Eventually, mama walked between Daddy and I, giving me a chance to finally stroke mama’s head and back as she passed between us. She trusted me, because she saw that Daddy did.
Sometime later, Mama introduced her second litter. This was a litter of three, Coco, Socks and Ringo.
Eventually, we were down to just Ringo and Mama.
There was another cat involved, Daddy Cat. Mama was in love with him, and so were the kittens. Quite adorable to witness. After the kittens went out on their own, mama followed Daddy cat down to the entrance of the hotel on the other side of the highway. Though Mama was completely feral, Daddy Cat was friendly enough that I could pet him. Mama would watch from the top of the steps as I petted her big handsome love interest at the edge of the carpet in front of the Inn. Eventually, mama walked between Daddy and I, giving me a chance to finally stroke mama’s head and back as she passed between us. She trusted me, because she saw that Daddy did.
Sometime later, Mama introduced her second litter. This was a litter of three, Coco, Socks and Ringo.
Eventually, we were down to just Ringo and Mama.
A Determined Kitty
It was around this time that mama set her mind to taking over the lobby. We, of course, thought it was very cute, but we didn’t know what the overall reaction to this would be. We tried keeping her out, but she was very persistent and knew what she wanted. Eventually, it became clear that the guests thought it was a warm and welcoming feature, so management cautiously warmed up to the idea, then embraced it.
There were obstacles in her rise to being the queen of the lobby. Was it OK that she slept on the chairs? Was it OK that she would jump up on the counters? As one could assume, she conquered all obstacles and ruled the lobby.
There were obstacles in her rise to being the queen of the lobby. Was it OK that she slept on the chairs? Was it OK that she would jump up on the counters? As one could assume, she conquered all obstacles and ruled the lobby.
"I always say that it was a battle between the Pacific Ocean and our beloved Mama Kitty as to what was the bigger attraction. I might be biased, but I’m pretty sure Mama Kitty had more pictures taken of her."
- Marc Rini, Bell Captain
Her history at the Inn is truly a rags to riches story. So many thousands of people from all over Oregon, and in fact the world, would enter our lobby and pay homage to the queen. For so many years, return visitors would search for Mama as soon as they arrived. I always say that it was a battle between the Pacific Ocean and our beloved Mama Kitty as to what was the bigger attraction. I might be biased, but I’m pretty sure Mama Kitty had more pictures taken of her.
Many will remember her daughter, Ringo, and near the end of her life, she was becoming quite friendly as well. She was beautiful and playful, and certainly deserves a special mention in this story of remembrance. She too was very well loved.
A Special Place in Our Hearts
Mama was our first and probably our last cat. She was a gift. There’s really no way to calculate how valuable she was to the Inn At Spanish Head. Seeing a cat curled up on the front desk with its paws hanging over the credit card machine is an endearing image and leaves one with a sense of peace and gives the Inn a unique and warm feel as people enter or depart the lobby. She gave us well over 22 years of her life as the reining queen and will always have a special place in the hearts of thousands of people who adored her.
She lived out her life happy and healthy. Her passing was ideal as she waited for old age to peacefully take her. Although recalling this moment is difficult, it gave a tremendous amount of peace to be there with her, comforting her as she breathed her last breath. She had her person with her, telling her that it was OK to let go and say goodbye.
A sincere thank you to all who loved her and helped to give her the best life a cat could have had.
Mostly, I want to thank Mama for all that she gave to the Inn, the visitors, and especially the employees, who had the privilege of caring for her.
She lived out her life happy and healthy. Her passing was ideal as she waited for old age to peacefully take her. Although recalling this moment is difficult, it gave a tremendous amount of peace to be there with her, comforting her as she breathed her last breath. She had her person with her, telling her that it was OK to let go and say goodbye.
A sincere thank you to all who loved her and helped to give her the best life a cat could have had.
Mostly, I want to thank Mama for all that she gave to the Inn, the visitors, and especially the employees, who had the privilege of caring for her.
Forever loved.
RIP sweet Mama Kitty.
