March 20, 2005

Tom Kitten

I am convinced that the word on the street among those animals lost and abandoned, or simply locked out for the night, is to come here.

Last week, I was drawn to the garage by the meowing of a strange cat. Yes, those who have them know the distinct call of their pets, and this wasn't one of mine. We had left the garage door up and a male parti-colored tabby was crouching beneath R's latest toy, a 1983 Trans Am. Sam kept looking at Isabel, begging her to do something about this intruder before he lost his mind. Isabel, simply watched and waited. She is a cool, calculating defender and wisely conserves her energies for a true attack.

I squatted down to get a look at him. We meowed back and forth for a few minutes, and I quietly called to him, my hand extended. He sized me up, and then crept out, rubbing his head beneath my outstretched hand. I immediately noticed a stainless steel rod sticking out of his right shoulder. I petted him a moment, cooing and talking to him. Then I called R out to look at the rod. My voice startled the tom back to safety beneath the Trans Am. I called him out a second time and against my better judgment, attempted to pick him up. He gently, but firmly resisted and I let him go, although I held him long enough for R to get a look. He seemed to walk fine, so we determined that it didn't land there by accident and was some sort of bone stabilizer.

He chasséd out onto the driveway, turning to call me out with him. I followed. He took a turn around me, rubbing against my jeans. I quickly left him to retrieve two bowls, filling one with water, the other with food when I came back out to the garage. By then, he found shelter under R's truck. Again we played the lover wooing her beloved, and out he came. He ate a bit, stopping once to look up. I turned to see what was distracting him, and saw Isabel, sitting quietly a few feet away. He strolled over to her, misjudging her demeanor. She simply raised one paw, gave a slight, disconnected growl, and he left. He didn't run, but he moved away into the dark, just beyond the light of the garage, with only his eyes glowing and blinking at me.

The food was gone the next day, and so was he. I wondered who would take a cat to get his broken shoulder fixed, but not collar him, or neuter him. I know animals can get away, and it does cause concern and is out of our control sometimes. I only hope he was lost for a night, and was able to make his way home. If not, he knows where to come and I am sure that our reputation as an animal hostel has been secured.

Posted by Rae at March 20, 2005 03:57 PM
Comments

I keep waiting for someone to post, “Wow! Love the story. Thanks for sharing that with us Rae.” So… Thanks for sharing that with us Rae. Wow! Loved the story. (Thanks to your hubby too.)

I mean the following as a compliment.

You are a very good storyteller. You communicate your experiences in a way that I can see it as an event happening before me in my mind and feel it tugging on my heart.

You have a gift of writing and sharing that recalls the imprinted memories and images we all have and comparatively share, but don’t take the time once we are adults to recognize how unique and special the smallest of life’s event(s) is (can be). [My bride is not around to correct my writing. Neither is my Mom.]

You could write children stories or better yet, children stories (reverie) for adults. Oh heck! As if I would appreciate it if you told me what I could do (with my opinions).

I’ll shut up for now, but I’ll keep thinking of Tom Kitten with an occasional smile.

Posted by: Ralph at March 23, 2005 05:16 PM

Wow! Thanks, Ralph :D

I have appreciated your comments. I typically attempt to respond when someone actually takes the time to write something, but my life is filled with rehearsals and educating children.

My R says that we, as a family, (storytelling is a closely held family value, and the one who can turn a phrase is greatly respected and awed) should write a book and then he'll never have to work again ;)

He just mentioned it this weekend (or was it last?)...maybe God is desperately trying to get our attention ?

Thanks, again, Ralph.

Posted by: Rae at March 23, 2005 07:41 PM

You are welcome. Thanks for the reply and all your many posts.

I woke up at 4:00 this morning and worried that I had used complement rather than compliment.

Posted by: Ralph at March 24, 2005 06:01 AM

Oh, Ralph, really.

After I read your comment last night, I went back and read the post. I found two typos. I am learning more and more to know that one here and there aren't an accurate measure of one's intellect or education.

Now, repeated and obvious ones....

Posted by: Rae at March 24, 2005 10:32 AM

Ralph and Rae-I think your hands are dirty and the bath towels are crooked. Good grief.

Posted by: R at March 24, 2005 08:56 PM

Was that Rae’s R?

Ok. I washed my hands multiple times, checked all the towels to make sure they were aligned and organized by color, then found 2 chairs that were not straight. Went to Wal Mart, blew off the carport and driveway, feed-tossed the ball-and entertained (spelled it intertained) the dog, washed my hands multiple times again, talked on the phone for 30 minutes with my father-in-law, then my Mom called and I talked for 30 more minutes.

I will not mow the lawn again (mowed 2 weeks ago) until after Easter because I like the clover too much and it is a great place to hide Easter eggs. The bees like it too.

Currently I am stirring up Blue Belle Ice Cream (Pralines 'n Cream) in a large cup with milk, vanilla extract and Sweet'n Low in it.

No work today of the employee kind. It is “All Blues Friday” today on KBRH in Baton Rouge.

Posted by: Ralph at March 25, 2005 11:28 AM

Where is the edit button?

I did feed the dog. I really did.

Posted by: Ralph at March 25, 2005 11:31 AM

Yes, Ralph, it was my R.

You are a faster processor than I, I had to ask him to explain.

Good come back. (It was a come back?)

Posted by: Rae at March 25, 2005 11:40 AM
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