It was at least three days that we can remember hearing the meowing every time we ventured outside. These outside trips were brief because of the bitter cold. We might run out to the wood pile to replenish our supply - or perhaps a jaunt out to fetch the mail. We both heard the meowing. It seemed strange - but we thought perhaps someone close by got a new cat that was meowing to be let in.
Finally, one morning while I was making several trips to the curb for our towns annual dump pickup (one of my favorite town activities) I kept hearing the meowing over and over. So I stopped, tilted my ear toward the sound and waited.
There... there it was again.
I scanned the cold snowy lawns and stoops... but then ...wait - there it was again - the sound was high, not on the ground, and I finally spotted him way up in a tree. Luckily his black coat stood out against the grayness of the winter day.
The tree was in our neighbors yard, and very close to the next house up the street. I was surprised that no one had heard him after all these days. I immediately called Animal Control. That's what they do...right? They get cats out of trees.
I waited and waited for a call back from the officer.
But the phone didn't ring.
All the while I was keeping my working wife informed with email updates - you know, cuz at least someone here has a job.
She suggested I go over with a bowl of food. I was skeptical.
But decided to give it a go.
As I approached the tree the cat became very excited. By moving around the tree with the plate of food I was able to coax him down in the right direction. He tumbled a bit but hit the ground safely and then practically lept into my arms. After he ate the plate of food ravenously, he allowed me to pick him up. He was just skin and bones. Clearly I had to bring him home to feed him more.
He seemed to prefer not to be carried but followed me home like a puppy. When I opened the door he walked in with no hesitation, like he lived there all his life and was finally home.
I put down another plate of food and still he ate ravenously.
He met the FREE dog. There was some hissing. Tho she was extremely well behaved and courteous around our guest.
My eager wife came home. The cat LOVED her instantly.
And so we spent the evening making him comfortable and warm and safe. Sure that he had spent at least 3 if not 4 nights in a tree when the temps were hovering around 10°.
Or should I say he spent the evening making himself comfortable... me still in my painting clothes - tho I didn't get much painting done this day.
Everything was going swimmingly - until of course my asthmatic wife couldn't breath. Not to mention the fact that Ferris is also allergic.
We knew from the start that no matter how much the cat settled in - we needed to find him another home.
So I called every vet in town and all the rescue places asking if anyone was missing a very cuddly black cat.
I posted signs around the neighborhood. Then we settled the cat into a nice bed in the basement - so we could get some dander reprieve.
What to do ...what to do?
That's when I got an email. From a
blogger. A blogger who said she and
her family wanted a cat!!
We made arrangements, I loaded the little guy into a carrier and off we went.
Perhaps it was the carrier, perhaps it was the hot sun, maybe not being able to see out the windows... but my little friend lost everything he'd eaten that day.
In the carrier.
I had no paper towels.
We pulled over to clean up - I sacrificed a scarf from the glove box and a map of Orange County. The cat waited until I had most of the mess cleaned up then came out of the carrier and got quietly into the backseat where he rode the rest of the way, happily watching the world go by.
We got to his new home and he jumped out of the car with me, and walked into their house just like it was his own.
I hear he is doing just fine. He now has a cat friend, more dog friends and kids to play with. Surely a rich and loving environment.
Doncha just love happy endings.
