From Big Apartment in College House to the Little House in the Big Woods

by Patches Jezabelle

For many years, I was content to live in a nice apartment in a college town known as Shippensburg, Pennsylvania. At first, I shared my domain with the Master 'Fo, until he left for the Rainbow Bridge. There was a few other cats, Little Mao and Logan, but they went in and out of the house, while I was an indoor kitty. My home, for the most part, was quite and serene, as my Meowmie was often at the University and my Daddy was at work.

Then everything changed! In 1997, we moved to this little house surrounded by lots of woods! Oh it made my whiskers twitch in excitement to hear all of the birdie sounds and to smell the sweet smells of the country. But paradise came with a price -- I had to share my new home with other kitties! Youngens! These kitties were chuck full of energy and a whirlwind of devilish activity! I honestly thought my humans lost their minds.

As time marched on, our humans began feeding the ferals that tried to survive in the surrounding woods. Our humans began making shelters fur them and getting them neutered and vaccinated. Great, just what I needed, more cats in my life!

However I learned to adjust. At first I was allowed out only with a harness and human supervision, until I convinced the humans that I knew how to stick close to home. Most kitties, whether household or feral have learned to give me my space. I may be old, but I still have a mean left hook! After I got the kitties in line, I learned how to rule over my country domain. Some animals are fun, I love the chipmunks, the deer mice and the bunnies! But I have also learned that mew have to avoid some animals, like the possoms, racoons, and skunjs. Deer are fun to watch, but beware of the coyotes, bears and wild turkeys! It is best to watch these critters from a nice hiding spot near the house, or better yet, from the safety of the window sill!

My life is furry different from what it once was. But different in a good way, I love being a country gal!