Elwood Breneman (2003-2020)

Elwood Breneman — one of the top cats in the long, colorful history of feline domesticity — departed his earthly life on Thursday, Nov. 12, 2020, with his lifelong human caretaker by his side.

Remembered for his unwavering companionship and his piercing yet soulful green eyes, he also enjoyed playing catch with a mini nerf ball, chasing a red laser dot and sitting attentively in a chair at the kitchen counter when co-hosting guests in his Portsmouth, NH, home.

He was also one of the few cats to have his own webpage, but never let it go to his adorable fuzzy head. His page, updated here to include his obituary, depicted some of his many real and imaginary adventures, such as robbing Alex Rodriguez of a home run during his brief but illustrious professional baseball career as a center fielder with the Detroit Tigers.

He was the former host of the short-lived cat video series “Elwood TV,” as well as the co-author of “Nine Habits of Highly Effective Felines” and his blockbuster follow-up “The Human Whisperer.” An aspiring hip-hop artist, his rap name was K-10 — for reasons that are apparent in his signature song, “My Name Is … Meow.”

K-10 in the house I’m a feline. K-10 one better than a canine.

Dawgs try to jack me, cut ’em like sirloin, rap ’em all up in my ball of twine. 

I got claws, rippin’ it up like fuzzy little buzzsaws. Cut a gold record with a mouse in my jaw.

My name is (meow). My name is (meow).

As his housemate John said of his faithful and trusty sidecat, “I will miss my dear little friend forever. He was the best.” In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in his name to the New Hampshire SPCA in Stratham, NH.

Elwood in his younger days. (Photos by Deb Cram)

JohnBreneman.com 

my cat’s blog
My cat Elwood presented me with a set of New Year’s resolutions this year. I was pretty impressed when he nudged the mouse to activate his professional-looking paw-point presentation. I had the sense that part of him wanted to resolve something more daring — say, “Risk one of your nine lives” — but I think he got skittish at the last minute. After all, he’s not even allowed outside. But I salute him for taking the initiative. I was also very pleased that his list did not include any action items like: “Destroy some upholstery” or “acquaint yourself with the taste of human flesh.” Elwood is older now, but he is still learning new tricks. For, example, he is now the host of “Elwood TV” (see below)
In his younger days, my cat Elwood was known to soar through the air with the greatest of ease.
I call this one “Slick-fielding feline robs A-Rod by a whisker.” My 2005 Opening Day report saluting the 2004 champ Red Sox is called “Hub fans bid curse adieu.”
Elwood TV
Today’s “Elwood TV” feature is the famous video of Elwood’s cousin Arthur playing with two dolphins named Shiloh and Thunder. He selected this video for this episode of “Elwood TV” to illustrate how cool cats are when playing with one of nature’s smartest creatures. Elwood also expressed curiosity about the dolphin’s blowhole — a longtime sufferer of coughing and choking on hairballs, he imagined that a blowhole would come in quite handy. Elwood is always on the lookout for footage of cats being awesome. What’s your favorite cat video?