Here's a story about one of my bunch. This one is about Pete, one of the dumbest cats in the world. Pete has passed on now. Don't get me started or I'll cry again, but he was such a clown that I hope you enjoy this one of his adventures.

First of all, this is TRUE. I've got a witness to prove it. That being said, here's what happened.

I'd rescued a stray queen and her litter and they were living in my home office till the kittens were weaned. A friend of mine came over to see Meesha and her babies. As we left the office my friend was last out and failed to latch the door. A little later we were in the living room chatting and Meesha came in. She walked up to the ladies that were sitting around, Leona, Magic, and Rhoid and exchanged hisses, but all in all they seemed to be treating each other calmly.

Then she turned to go back to her kittens and saw Pete. He'd wandered, in his dumb way, between Meesha and the sacred kittens!!!! Meesha, a 5 lb street queen took one look and launched herself!

Now Pete was a big boy, 15 lbs, and built lean and lanky, but he was a true blond. Laid back and about as aggressive as jello. He'd never been outside except for trips to the vet and had always been the baby of the family. His idea of a savage fight was getting a mousie out of the Pet Smart bag.

He took one look at this raging furball and ran for his life! Every hair on end the perched on top of the couch back and screamed "Go Way!!!" HONEST, I got a witness! He screamed it several times. I can still hear his terrified voice yelling "Go Way! Go Way!"

I grabbed Meesha and hurried her back to her kittens. As I left the room Pete turned to my friend and said, in the most scared lost voice I ever heard, "Who? Who?"

It took more than an hour and a liberal dose of catnip to call him down, but Pete was OK. I've always wondered if he could say more, but I never wanted to put him through anything traumatic enough to get him to talk again.

Copyright © Kit Morrandd
September 20, 1998