Change of Life

By Henri of Twin Brook

My life as a young cat is something of a blur. Of course I remember, barely able to toddle and being put out from the house because one of my persons had acquired a large dog which they deemed to be a threat to my life. Whether or not this was true, still remains a mystery as I did not hang around long enough to find out. Occasionally, I would drop by the house, hoping a dish of food had appeared near the house entrance. Sometimes it did but as time passed the food no longer appeared and the so did the empty bowl. My persons no longer loved me..... My meals then consisted of mice and birds and eventually, I learned to savor the contents of the neighborhood garbage cans.

For a few years I managed quite well, made lots of feline friends and a few enemies. I was very popular with the lady cats but my relationship with humans deteriorated quickly. I became fearful and suspicious of their motives. Except for one couple, I avoided contact with people. This couple was very strange. Every evening they went for a long walk around the block. If I should happen to see them, they would call to me and try to coax me to come near them. I would approach, but never get close enough for them to touch me.

One evening in late September, the wind blew cold and wet. I hungry. The garbage cans had yielded little food for many days and life had become dismal and dark. My best friend Rocky had died miserably under the wheels of an automobile and my poor soul grieved. I felt that life offered me little.....

Then I saw them...the couple who had always greeted and called to me. She had a bowl of food in her hand and she placed it on grassy lawn near their home. My fur was wet and dirty. What human could love me as I was? Apparently they could.....

They waited as I devoured the food, then she approached and patted my head gently. I decided then and there, I would hang around and hopefully, food would be presented everyday for this weary traveler. To shorten this tome, I will tell you this , that within two weeks, I had moved into the house which was home to three other cats. I had to sign a contract that I would agree to be vaccinated, neutered (not really a problem because most of the ladies had found better suitors ) and have a thorough physical checkup. I also had to agree not to badger, fight or insult the resident cats. Quickly I put a pen to paw and inscribed my signature upon the document! That must have been the happiest day of my life!