Unwanted Companions? Purrhaps Not!

By Patches Jezabelle

I am an old kitty and sometimes old kitties get a little set in their ways. And sometimes old kitties must adjust to change, whether they want to or not!

For much of my life, I had to share my kingdom with only one other cat, Alfo, or Master 'Fo, as the humans called him. Oh he acted like he didn't care for me, but over time I won him over! Alfo was 6 years older than me, but we spent 10 happy years together.

Then something terrible happened! Master 'Fo went outside and returned five minutes later with a broken pelvis! To this day, we do not know what happened. I purred and purred that he would come home from the vet, but it was not to be because he had internal injuries as well and he went to the Rainbow Bridge. I was devastated! I would not eat for three weeks and my Meowmie had to force feed me. Two more kitties joined our clan, Little Mao and Logan, but I wanted no part of their company! I was sad and kept to myself.

Two years later, we moved from our nice apartment in town to a nice little house WAY OUT in the boonies! I loved being allowed outdoors, at last I had a suitable kingdom to rule! But this paradise came with a price, four more kitties! These kitties were all less than a year old, siblings and full of vinegar and spit! Hurumph! I wanted nothing to do with these brash young'ens and I plainly told my humans so!

As time progressed, more kitties joined our Kitty Tribe. Hurumph! I didn't like that at all! But guess what? I found out that all of the new kitties respected me! They would give me a wide berth when I hissed and some would even touch noses with me! Even more surprising, I found that I missed the rugrats when they went away for a day or two for spaying or neutering. I found myself purring hard that they would return home all right.I found myself rejoicing when they returned home safely, although I did my best not to show it. I have a reputation to maintain!

I am slowing down now in my old age. I really like to sit on my rocking chair or outside on the porch in the sun. But all around me is a whirl of feverish activity! The Kitty Tribe! I am never lonely, even when the humans go away for the day. Sometimes one of the young'ens brings me a mouse! I like that! Unwanted companions? Purrhaps not!