I’m a very shy guy. I was rescued from the streets by a bunch of people who put me in a cage in a room where there are lots of cats wandering around and other ones in cages like mine. I had a comfy blanket for a bed, and a separate room where I could go to eat and kind of hide away. The doctor came to see me and gave me a bunch of shots, and then, horrors! They used some kind of vibrating thing on me and it made all my beautiful hair disappear on my body! I was so embarrassed. No wonder I didn’t want to come out of my cage.
Then this person came to visit. She was really nice and petted me a lot. I rolled over and let her rub my belly. It felt so good! I purred and purred. She left and I felt sad that she was petting lot of other cats I’m afraid of. But then, wonder of wonders, she came back! She didn’t seem to mind at all that I didn’t have all my hair. I wanted her to stay and keep petting me, but once again she left.
I was sad and then I was taken from the cage, had my nails trimmed, and was put in a cardboard box kind of thing. This was scariest of all, even though I had a nice soft flannel blanket to lie on. I felt the movement of the same kind of thing that brought me to the place I’d been living and I was more scared than ever. One thing I never did was voice my fear. If I was quiet, maybe they wouldn’t know I was there.
Then I felt a different movement and the noises changed. I heard the person I’d liked talking. Then she opened the box and picked me up! I didn’t know where I was. I was so confused. She put me in a litter box like the one at the other place and I saw a small opening behind something big. I squeezed into that place and felt a lot safer. All I could do was listen to all the strange noises, but I could hear the person talking to me from time to time. Eventually I showed my face and she touched me, just like she did at my old cage. This was nice and I began to purr and rub my face against her. But I wouldn’t come out of my safety spot.
Finally things were really dark and quiet. I did come out and nothing threatened me. I found the litter box and used it, drank some water, and ate the whole bowl of food before crawling back into my new “room.”
The person I like gave me some special fishy food and I had to come out. I didn’t see the person so I gobbled all the food and went back to hide.
All day this person fed me and once I even came out and ate even though the person was right beside me. I looked up a few times, but the person didn’t reach for me. I felt safe enough to purr and eat before going back to hide again. I hope I get to stay here. Maybe I can get more pets and love soon. I like the sound of my person’s voice talking to me and the feel of the hands on my head. Maybe this life will be better.
Carol Ann Erhardt, Author 