An Interview with a Housemate

by Henri of Twin Brook

Since Erika joined our household in May, 2002, I thought is was appropriate that she be the subject of my interview. I should tell you something about this cat. She is small, tiger striped and of indefinite age. She won't reveal this aspect of her life nor will she offer any facts about her life before coming to Twin Brook. Still, I thought she might be able to offer some interesting ideas about her life here with us. Me: You have been part of this household for the past 18 months. Are you happy here among Sidney, Helen and myself? Erika: It's okay. Certainly it's better than living on the streets and digging through garbage cans for breakfast, lunch and dinner. Me: Then you were living on the streets before you were adopted from the shelter? Erika: I didn't say that. I never lived on the streets and I never had to get food from garbage cans. Me: I misunderstood you then. I thought perhaps...... Erika: Sometimes you think too much, kitty! You and your grand ways! You're not the only cat in town! Just because you know how to use a computer doesn't make you better than me! All you toms are alike! Me: Maybe we had better start over, Erika. What do you like about living here? Do you like the food? Do you like the persons who take care of us? Do you like Sidney? Do you like Helen? How about the d*g Ashley? Erika: I don't like Ashley! She is a pest! I don't want to play with her! I see you all kissy-face with her. You and Sidney think she is special, but I don't think so. She's too big. They should take her to the d*g park and leave her there! And I don't like Sidney. He has a beautiful black coat but he's dumb. He's just a dumb cat! Helen thinks she's so special because she is a tri-color. I don't think she's so special. She's just an ordinary cat with a nice coat, that's all. Our persons are alright but they can't meow. You'd think having four kitties in the house, they would have learned how to meow properly.... Me: Erika, humans can't meow. Only us cats meow. They don't have the proper vocal chords to make a decent meow... Erika: Then how can you talk to them? How can I talk to them, Henri? If I meow to them, they can't meow back.... Me: What would you tell them, Erika? What would you like them to know about your feelings? Erika: I would tell them not to throw me out or send me back to the shelter. I know there are cats who are prettier than me, with big fluffy tails and long fur, but I'm a good cat. I know how to purr and give head butts. I don't want to live on the streets again or get put in a little cage. I waited so long for someone to love me, for someone to adopt me and when our persons came to the shelter and picked me out of all the kittens and cats with big fluffy tails, I couldn't believe my paws. I keep waiting for them to take me back to the shelter or dump me out on a country road, because they will find someone better, prettier and smarter. I keep waiting.... Me: It's not going to happen. They chose you because they knew they would love you. They thought you were a perfect addition to our family. They would never take you back to the shelter or discard you like a bag of trash. They are kind persons. After all, they welcomed me into their home and I had been living on the street for five years...I was dirty and greasy. They cleaned me up and took me to the cat doctor for shots and such. They even let me sleep on their bed.... Erika: Okay, I guess maybe they won't get rid of me then if I'm a good cat. I will give them both, he and she, lots of purrs and head butts. Then maybe they will know how much I want to stay... Me: That's the cat! Are you happy to be with us now? Erika: Yes, I am...But I was wondering.....? Do you think we could persuade them to get rid of Ashley, the d*g? The End