Parker Fans Adopt Cat at Algonquin
Two members of the Dorothy Parker Society stepped up and adopted a rescue cat at the Algonquin Hotel on Wednesday, during a birthday event for Matilda, the lobby's feline fixture. Jordan and Kimberly from West New York, N.J., immediately named the black and white domestic shorthair Dorothy.
The North Shore Animal League, which claims to be the largest no-kill animal adoption and rescue organization in the world, set up a mobile adoption agency at the curb in front of the hotel, on West 44th Street. A member of the league said a total of seven cats were adopted during the one-day event. The hotel hosted the event for Matilda for about 60 guests.
Matilda, a ragdoll, spent the party in a double-wide pet carrier. She was oblivious to the event going on around her, which included a cat fashion show. Keeping the cat is a longtime tradition at the famous hotel, home to the Round Table. Legend has it that the hotel's first general manager, Frank Case, took in a stray cat around 1930. His friend John Barrymore, a frequent Algonquin guest, suggested that any cat at the hotel must have a literary or theatrical name. Hamlet was chosen, possibly to honor one of Barrymore's finest roles. Legend has it that all male cats at the hotel are named Hamlet; females are Matilda. Nobody knows where the name came from.
On Wednesday, guests saw cats on the catwalk. A company that makes costumes for cats provided outfits for the poor things. A pirate, Elvis Presley, a butterfly and several other costumes were trotted out on the cats. Most behaved. A young Hollywood star was in attendance to help. Josh Flitter, from License to Wed and Nancy Drew, held onto a leash nearby.
Matilda was feted; tomorrow she will be back in one of her usual spots around the lobby or front desk.
Labels: events
Posted by Kevin Fitzpatrick on Wednesday, August 08, 2007 at 11:51 PM | Permalink 
