Page 20 April 2014 It takes a Vig to raise a cat By Amanda Savage Regulars can have a lasting impression on a bar. They can shape a bar’s personality, and if they come frequently enough, they become part of the bar – a necessity that creates the ambiance. One of Arcadia’s most loved bars, The Vig, has that kind of regular, a regular that frequented the bar so much that she literally made this bar her home. Everyone knows her. She has her favorite spots. Bar patrons treat her as family, they let her walk through their games of Bocce Ball and sit next to them on the patio. The waitresses barely notice her as she effortlessly passes by, as they weave through the maze of tables and chairs on the patio, balancing drinks on their trays. She’s so used to the clinking of glasses, laughter and bar noise that she sometimes closes her eyes, and drifts off into sleep, during the height of a weekend rush. But what makes this regular a stand out, is that she is a cat, her name is Meow Meow, and she has become the mascot of The Vig. It started happening late in the evening. Cesar Crampton, Meow Meow’s human dad and Event Coordinator at The Vig, recalls. Crampton, along with the early staff of The Vig, was one of the first to notice the incredibly small, 8-10 week-old kitten who began “appearing” on the restaurant’s patio and in the parking lot at night. After Crampton began seeing her somewhat regularly, he started to feed her a menu of smoked and grilled salmon or chicken. “When we started feeding her she started coming up on a regular basis,” explains Crampton. Once Meow Meow got a taste of The Vig, she became a regular, frequenting in the late evening and early mornings. But not during the day. She was a very timid, and skittish kitten at the time. She loved the food, but wasn’t too keen on being touched or being around a lot of people. This went on for a few months. Meow Meow’s presence became well-known at The Vig, and the staff began to grow attached to their odd guest. This was when Crampton decided to call a service to trap and neuter the cat. “One night they set up a trap behind where we would feed her. They trapped her. The service came in the morning and picked her up, and they got her fixed. From that point forward, she started hanging around all of the time. But it still took a while for anyone to be able to pet her,” says Crampton. The staff at The Vig was still unsure if their relationship with their new resident would last. They had to convince the owners that a feral cat living on their patio was a good thing. Luckily for Meow Meow, Crampton and the staff discovered a use for the cat, and a solid selling-point to the owners. See, in its first year open, The Vig had a bad pigeon problem. The pigeons were an issue, but as Meow Meow hung around more, there was a noticeable difference in the amount of pigeons around the restaurant. The more Meow Meow stayed, the more the problem vanished. “Would you rather have a cat that’s kind of social and minds herself, or have the pigeons that are all over the place?” Crampton’s selling-point was a success. At the year anniversary of Meow Meow’s arrival, the cat had made a smooth, natural integration into the restaurant, and the hearts of its staff. It was around this time that she started to let Crampton and another male staff member (she warmed- up to the guys before the ladies) pet her during feeding time. Meow Meow, or Meowzers, is now about seven years young. She’s grown from a skittish stray to a calm, loving and feisty cat that’s now the mascot of The Vig. She’s got her own Facebook page, and now an article written about her. She’s pretty much famous. “She kind of rules the place,” says Crampton. While Crampton feeds Meow Meow during most weekdays and drives her to her vet appointments, the entire staff at The Vig plays a role in caring for Meow Meow. The expenses for Meow Meow’s care come from the pockets of the staff. Crampton frequently hears customers ask “Where’s Meow Meow,” or “We came to see Meow Meow,” which prompted the Meow Meow Facebook page. “I like to say that she adopted us instead of we adopted her.” Meow Meow even has her own Facebook page. c p m a summer Christ Church Lutheran has something fun for every age! HURRY! Only $100 per week if you sign up by May 1st. Visit cclphoenix.org for all the details. • June 2 – August 1 with a different theme each week • Before care, after care and lunch available • Led by Pastor Jeff and his awesome staff, counselors and helpers Looking for a fun, safe and affordable summer camp? Pastor Jeff gets slimed!

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