A Nightmare

by Fern

Lights were on constantly. The door kept opening and closing and each opening brought in cold air. The noise was loudest during the day but didn’t quiet at night. I could stand up, sit and lie down but not walk around any where. People put their noses close to me or poked a finger at me but no one touched me. I was so frightened I just slept, all day and all night. I used the litter box but it was small and it was a struggle to fit the right part inside so I didn’t leave a mess. Maddie was with me but she was as frightened as I. We could hear dogs barking and from another room cats mewing and crying. Our lives had become waking nightmares. We were in a cage which held just the two of us. It was in a large room with animals and people and constant movement. Life had no softness or warmth or safety. We were panicked and fearful that our lives were forever and irrevocably changed. Late one afternoon another face stared inside at the two of us. I kept my eyes closed wanting to see nothing around me. Maddie just stood there. She had also stopped caring. Within a short time we were grabbed, prodded, poked and jabbed then caged together into an even a smaller box. My eyes were saucers filled with fear as the box with the two of us was taken outside and placed in a car. Even the soft voice constantly talking to us did nothing to soothe either of us. We were taken from the car into a strange house, brought up stairs and let out of the box. Nothing was familiar and we both ran under the bed and hid. Later that night I came out from under the bed to use the litter box, and I fit, all of me fit. There was wonderfully fresh food, wet and dry, and cold water. I walked around the room then slept on a soft bed. Maddie and I had been rescued. We have lived here four months. It took a long time before either of us felt safe. Now I walk around as if I own the house. The dog is part of the furniture, and I get to sleep on my meowmie’s bed every night. She was that last face who looked into the cage; the box was her carrier which brought my sisfur, Maddie, and me home to warmth and caring and love. But, yes, I admit that for a while I felt panic. The memory is fading and will soon be gone: a loving home can do that you know.