When I think of it I take a cat along on an errand, though it doesn't actually happen more than a couple times a year, to help them adjust to cars. This morning was unusual because, in the manuevering of a 40yo car with huge lock-to-lock steering, Beastie was watching from the front stoop so I opened the door and asked, "You want to go for a ride?" (Now, this may seem anthropomorphic but I'm sure my old cats know the meaning of "ride" and certainly "walk" and "silly cat". We need not bother discussing "wanna eat?").

Beastie bounds down the steps and puts his paws on the rocker panel, talking all the while. I lifted him in and off we went. It was an uneventful ride, 4 stops - the last being for breakfast. Everytime I looked he'd meow from the drivers seat; his eyesight isn't that good anymore so I'm surprised he could pick me out from the other customers. He got a snack when we got home. It seemed to me he had a smirk when he sniffed noses with Willie but maybe not.

Copyright © Norm deCarteret
April 30, 2002