Here's something strange - at least I thought it was strange!

I have 2 cats, both of which were wild cats that lived in the woods when I started feeding them (Now, both are my lifelong friends and don't ever doubt it). One (female) is now about 4 years old, the other (male) will be 2 years old come early June.

The younger male cat came into my living room and was just meowing, and sitting strangely, meowing all the time, eyes wide open, and just meowing a whole lot. This was such a strange behavior for the young cat. Usually, he is so timid, and only meows when he walks next to me (announcing his presence so I may pet him, I think). I knew something was wrong, he was meowing so much and acting so strange, I thought I would have to take him to the vet. I didn't know what I would tell the vet, I only knew he was acting so strange.

My older cat, she was sitting on the coffee table, was "growling" at the young cat. I didn't know why, they are best friends.

Anyway, I stood up and went to the refrigerator, and all of a sudden I saw 3 cats, not just my 2 cats!

The cat I thought was the second, younger cat, was not that cat at all, but some other cat! They must have been brothers! They were like identical twins, I could not tell them apart. The stranger cat meowed exactly like my regular young male cat (only he meowed a whole lot more!).

I was stunned, because I could not tell the difference at all between the two male cats! After nearly two years of seeing, petting, and loving a cat, you would think you know him, but I couldn't tell which was which.

He must be a cat from the same litter as my "regular" male cat (remember, he was a "wild kitten" I "rescued"). Maybe he is an identical twin -- I can't tell the difference between them!

I am amazed. I don't know what to think. I want to make the new cat my friend, but he must have been "wild" for nearly 2 years now. He won't let me get near him.

I want this new cat. I want him to like me. I want to lie on the couch and have him stand on my belly and squish his paws up and down, just like my other to cats like to do.

Copyright © Stephen Capps
February 13, 1999