http://www.care2.com/greenliving/scat-cat.html
Those Flippin’ Cats
It was the spring of my 32nd year. A junior journalism major at Tennessee Tech University, I carried a 24-credit-hour class load, presided over the Tech Players acting troupe, was elected Secretary of Student Development for the campus government, wrote class-assigned articles for The Oracle, the university newspaper, worked full-time managing medical records at an area nursing home, cared for Amanda, my then-infant daughter, and aging, but not elderly, father, as well as a couple of abandoned cats. Socially, I had the rare moment or two with Mike, a former teacher with whom I’d developed a close friendship. As for my free time, I…what am I saying? I had no free time.
“Dad, I need a break,” I whimpered to my sympathetic parent. “Would you watch over everything if I took a mental health day and went to the mountains with Mike? It’ll just be overnight; we’ll be back by dinnertime and I promise I’ll bring you back something nice, maybe a bottle of wine or some candy from Gatlinburg.”
The proffered wine bribe urged Dad to accept my proposal - TTU was located in a “dry” county, so we hadn’t had any fruit of the vine other than sacramental for quite a long time. Carefully detailing a list of what to do when for Amanda and the cats, I tossed a change of clothes into a backpack and, with Mike at the wheel, we drove to the Smokies.
The brief respite was delightful - beautiful weather, majestic mountains, gorgeous newly budded greenery, frequent wildlife sightings, an adult companion who demanded nothing from me; it was a 24-hour preview of what heaven must be like. Even the four-hour drive home was enjoyable because all I had needed was a little time away from the rigors of reality; I actually looked forward to seeing my family.
“Did you miss me, Dad?” I hollered, bounding inside laden with the bottle of wine and a pound of Gatlinburg fudge. Then I took in the chaos of the living room which I had left tidy and neat. “Uh oh…uh…Dad?”… Silence… “Daddy?” I called. “In here,” came a terse reply from the baby’s nursery.
related stories
-
(5 comments)
Robyn
Melissa
Deepak
Eric
Dave
Dr. Brent
Isha
Susan
Delia
Michelle
Wendy
Megan
Hilary
Ann
Judi
Ronnie
Kelly
Lily
Terri
Betsy
Cait
Andrew
Jana
Annie B.
Veronica
27 comments
add your comment »Cats are my favorite I love their independence & antics. Right now I have 3 Kitties & 2 dogs or I should say they have me lol They're indoor-outdoor & of course all are spayed & neutered.
send green star
why is this inappropriate?
o janet! this is a HOOT!!!! thank you for such a GREAT story!!!
send green star
why is this inappropriate?
Error: should read I have raccons too
send green star
why is this inappropriate?
Kathleen, I know this sounds crazy, but do you walk him on a leash? Shadow is also leash and harnessed trained and enjoys his walks in the wilder areas.
You might consider one of those carts for cats too. He could go just about anywhere, and the mesh should work to keep him contained. Try it at home first, of course.
U have raccoons to and never had a problem with them and the cats, but as mentioned some people hate cats.
Black T. I thought that just happened at my house, LOL! Both boxes have the scat and unrine in seperate areas. Wish my top boy Shadow would quit showing his dominance by leaving his scat uncovered. :)
send green star
why is this inappropriate?
I guess I can count my blessings, because just like a farm raised piggy, or an Arabian Horse, my wee Cori has "poo" in one corner and "pee" in the other corner, and scratches the wall of the litter box.
send green star
why is this inappropriate?
I say that cats are God's most wondrous and fascinating creation--also his most annoying and frustrating!!!
We are currently 'owned by' 10 cats and 9 dogs--all rescue/shelter/strays, many with medical problems. They are all our babies!
(It's taking me a while to type this--since I have a cat 'helping' me!!!)
send green star
why is this inappropriate?
My apologies for yet another oddly written comment. Note to self: Do not post after taking antihistamine! The kitties are fine today; Lexie is coping with chicken pox much better than her Nana. Who decided calamine lotion is flesh-colored? The autumn weather is gorgeous, soup is bubbling on the stove, a new soon-to-be mama cat has joined the household and everything (including typing) is much improved today in Garey world.
send green star
why is this inappropriate?
Ewwwww, Raven, what fun that always it. Now try deaking with diarrhea-ravaged with cats, a cranky, puking, poopy 3-year-old and five cats who simulataneously decided to hack up their new food on a wll marked trail located along inch of my well-traveled (bare) foot path. Factor in that the baby and I both have chicken pox and I bekieve I have reached my viscous icky fluid overload. Welcome to my world.LOL? Not so much ;-(
send green star
why is this inappropriate?
My daughter's cat will poop on her pillow if she forgets to clean the litter box right away... nasty business.
My cat, on the other hand, will eat until he has gorged himself and then will release the overflow in the path of oncoming traffic... kitchen, living room, etc. I call it his "binging and purging" episodes and then I call him everything I can think of when I step in it...
send green star
why is this inappropriate?
What a GREAT story. Thanks for a good laugh!
send green star
why is this inappropriate?
Facebook account: