Pepper relaxing after a
tough day at school

Today we had Pet's day at the school. So poor Pepper draw the short straw (as if I would allow Maya to go to school). So I made him a little harness of elastic that I covered with fabric, to go around his tummy and across his chest, to let him walk on a leash. I told them I will not allow my cat to be subjected to a whole day of Kiwi kids, so I would bring him just before the Pet Parade. He hates car drives ever since he had that last visit to the vet which caused his hind quarters to ache for a few days, but was okay. When I carried him into class and he saw all these kids, his poor little heart did double beating non-stop (don't blame him, felt the same the first time I was in there). To top it all, the whole place was filled with dogs, obviously more popular around here than cats.

Some clever teacher decided that they will seperate natural enemies, and divided us into groups of cats, dogs and the rest of the creepy-crawlies. Us cat people went to one of the classrooms. Pep was better there, because we could close the door and let him loose. He was less cute that the other kitties, because they were all babies. Some silly woman even let her kid bring two-week-old babies to school, without the mother cat. I just hope they survived all those hours without milk. After a while, they called us back, and prizes were presented. Pepper and the boys won a prize for the biggest cat. They would not believe me when I told them he was not yet fully grown, but only a teenager. Anyway, he won a bright pink water bowl, very much needed, because his water bowl was an empty butter dish.

By now this cat did NOT want to be held, but I could not let him go, because his harness was less than effective, too big to begin with and he could slip out of it whenever he wanted to. So we went back to the car for the 5 minute drive home. Scarcely in the car, and I smelled something I DO NOT WANT TO SMELL IN MY CAR ! That was why he was so jittery... he needed the cat box badly, for a number 2. He was so embarrassed, and acted as if I was going to yell at him. But how could I, it was my fault, was it not? Poor thing slept the rest of the afternoon, to recuperate from his ordeal. I, on the other hand, spend it trying to clean the back seat of the car. Hubby took the seat out, and I will complete the cleaning tomorrow by washing the whole thing from top to bottom. So the prize of the water bowl, which I could have bought at the Warehouse for $4, cost me half a bottle of Ajax spray and wipe, an upset tummy (caused by the smell), 2 rolls of paper towels, a LOT of elbow grease, and time I could have spent much better.

Top this by a not-too-happy-hubby who has to drive with that smell for 40 minutes to work, and 40 minutes back tomorrow morning, which will not improve his night shift mood, and when you add that all up, next time I will rather spend money and buy a bloomin' bowl myself!

Copyright © Kiti de Jager
September 28, 2003