"Hurry up and wait." ― Mort Cattle[source]
Mort Cattle, also known as Grandad, is a secondary character who first appeared in the episode of the same name of Bluey. He is the father of Chilli Heeler and Brandy Cattle the widower husband of Chilli's Mum and the maternal grandfather of Bluey Heeler and Bingo Heeler.
Bluey.tv Description
Mort is Chilli’ and Brandy's dad and Bluey and Bingo’s grandad. After a life in the army, he has since retired to a life of canoeing, bush walking, and eating curried sausages.
Mort hasn’t kept up with technology over the past couple of decades and is still surprised that “this internet thing has really taken off!”.
Mort knows that kids haven’t changed, though, and he is very good at playing games with Bluey and Bingo. He’ll even cheekily throw a stuffed crocodile into the game just to spice things up!
Mort loves his family and one of his favourite memories is playing at the lake with his daughter Chilli. He remembers their time together like it was yesterday.[1]
Biography
Mort served in the army when he was younger.[2] Mort enjoys the water, owning his own boat and taking a young Chilli and, later, his granddaughters swimming. Chilli recalls that he has taken her swimming since she was a young girl, and he remembers these trips so vividly, he describes them as taking place "yesterday".[3] The Christmas after Bingo was born, this development apparently slipped his mind, and he only got Bluey a Christmas present; she would share this with Bingo.[4]
In his old age, Mort had to have an operation[5] after being infected with heartworm. Despite doctor's orders to rest, he is seen exerting himself by trying to dig up a stump in his yard when Chilli and her daughters arrive for a visit. Mort quickly fled an upset Chilli, with Bluey and Bingo joining in his escape attempt. During their escapade, Mort attempts to convince Bluey to eat some pumpkin seeds, insisting that they're good for her. However, when she argues against this, her argument strikes a chord, as it sounds eerily similar to Mort's own excuse as to why he isn't taking things easy.
The trio convince Mort's friend Maynard, to whom Mort had lent his canoe, to hide them. While concealed, Mort overhears Chilli express her desire for Mort to take care of himself for her sake. In spite of this, he and the girls continue to flee Chilli, this time using the canoe. Upon reaching Chilli's favorite swimming spot, Mort finally decides that it's time to take a rest. Chilli then finds them, which Mort admits he fully expected, and the four of them continue with their visit[3]
On another occasion, Mort came to visit his daughter and her family at their home. After being dropped off by a driver named Ziggy, he is briefly baffled by the other dog's departure until Chilli explains that he was paid through the app used to hire him. While Chilli and Bandit prepare dinner, Mort goes to play with the girls. He finds that their games reflect various ways in which society has changed since he was younger, and is briefly at a loss. However, he eventually figures out how to join in on the games, and decides that while some things may have changed, children have not.[6]
During another visit, Mort took part in a game of Magic Xylophone after suggesting a modification to the rules. Upon learning that the girls were interested in visiting a nearby creek to dig up an old treasure of Bandit's, Mort took charge of the operation. He also took the lead at the creek, despite not being aware of the treasure's location. However, his input proved valuable, as the trash bags he insisted on bringing in case of bad weather proved useful in cleaning up litter at the creek. Furthermore, Mort himself had particular reason to be grateful for bringing along bug spray after encountering a swarm of "mozzies."[7]
Mort later attended the wedding of Chilli’s childhood friend Frisky and Radley Heeler, who happened to be Bandit’s brother. He sat with his older daughter Brandy, now several months pregnant, and his friend Maynard. At the dinner after the ceremony, he sat at a table with Rad’s parents and Frisky's Dad, and enjoyed some interaction with Bandit’s younger brother Stripe. When Rad attempted to get attention for an announcement, Mort helpfully silenced the other guests. He later joined Brandy on the dance floor.[8]
Appearance
Mort has an appearance similar to Chilli with what appears to be white spots on the back, arms, and tail with even more white spots in the stomach, legs, and nose.
He is always seen wearing a green fisherman's hat with two dark green buttons on it. However, in "Phones", he wears a green fedora with two dark green buttons on it (similar to his first hat) and a black band.
Personality
He seems to be very active despite his old age, since when the doctors put him on bed rest following his surgery, he disobeyed. This also demonstrates that he's a bit stubborn, and according to his neighbour Maynard, he commonly thinks things should be up to him. Mort is also somewhat old-fashioned, being unfamiliar with smartphones and apps, however he keeps an open mind and isn't judgemental towards those who do use more advanced technology.
He's very caring towards his daughter, Chilli, agreeing finally to take things easy and take care of his health better when she tells him that she needs him just as much as he needs her. It's also implied that she was a good father to Chili and Brandy, as he often spent a lot of time with them on his boat at the lake.
Appearances
- S01E06 - The Weekend (pictured)
- S02E12 - Sticky Gecko (pictured and discussed)
- S02E27 - Grandad
- S02E28 - Seesaw (mentioned)
- SN/AEN/A - Humpty Dumpty (mentioned)
- S03E02 - Bedroom (mentioned)
- S03E03 - Obstacle Course (pictured)
- S03E04 - Promises (pictured)
- S03E09 - Curry Quest (pictured)
- S03E16 - Phones
- S03E49 - The Sign
Games
Trivia
- Stripe and himself are the only characters that are known to refer to Chilli as "Chilli Dog".
- His first name was revealed in Phones.
- A younger version of Mort can be seen pictured in Obstacle Course and Promises.
- Mort's last name might be Cattle, although this may depend on whether or not his daughter, Brandy, is married. Brandy's last name was confirmed by Nick Rees on Twitter (@N1ckBee5) who made a poster for Onesies and credited her last name as "Cattle”. Bluey.tv's character profile of him would later include the last name Cattle.
- Mort was revealed to be a widower in Dragon.
- He was revealed to be infected with heartworm in the episode Grandad.