Loose Ends

After much soul searching, hours of deliberation- should we or shouldn't we, now or later - we decided to wait until at least spring to get a pet. We both agreed. No pet now.

Then the phone rang. It was a friend who works at a veterinary hospital. Someone called about a stray cat-sweet, loving-no owner. Would I like to come and see?

No thought needed. I grabbed my purse, threw on a jacket and drove right over. She was right - what a loveable cat! It fell asleep in my arms. So, I did what any self-respecting woman would do, I called my other half who was on the golf course and laid out the situation.

Homeless cat, thin, needs someone to love it. My other half was on the seventh hole, just ready to putt. While I was explaining, my other half cut me off with, "What do you think?"

The cat fell asleep in my arms. That was enough for me. "I think we should take it," trying to sound logical and convincing, not emotional.

He agreed and said he had to go. By the time he got home the cat had been to the vet, was declared healthy and had moved into the house. The cat acted like a perfect guest the first week grateful for every meal, loved being loved and didn't scratch his claws on anything until he headed for the only white chair in the house. I put a towel over the cushion, and he wouldn't go near it. It looks bad with a turquoise towel draped over it, but every time I take the towel off, that cushion becomes his for the day.

Gradually this cat has become the perfect homeowner. He has a favorite chair in the great room and at the breakfast table. He likes to sit where he can look at the birds at the feeder. He greets us when we come home.

He doesn't care for Mixed Grill flavor cat food and doesn't want to go out when it is cold. He likes to lie in the middle of our bed - on the spread, of course. He protests when he is moved from a warm, cozy spot.

He likes to play in the morning and sleep until our bedtime. That makes nighttime free time. For him. I like to sleep at night. He manages to do whatever cats do when no one is looking for several hours after we go to sleep. Then he starts playing with whatever is at hand. Last night he ate the ears and tail off the stuffed mouse and then gagged for the next half hour. 2:30-3:00 a.m.

My scarves were next. I drape them artfully over the leaves on a sculpture. Apparently they hung low enough to entice the cat. I was up from 4:05-4:20 a.m. rescuing my scarves. I hate digital clocks at night.

At 5:25 a.m. the cat wanted breakfast. Does anyone want to adopt a loving cat?

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