I have just come back from visiting a niece in the state of Washington who lives on a large farm so the cats have plenty of space to play and roam. She has four cats. I have always lived with one cat at a time, so it was quite a different thing to live with four. I had forgotten how cuddly a cat in the night can be. They were so much fun and they each had their own foibles and personalities but they were united at breakfast. The first person downstairs had to feed the greedy little guys or they wrapped themselves around your feet and would not allow you to get your own breakfast. They all demanded "Us first, us first".

After breakfast each retired to his own napping space. But even sleeping their radar was working. Decide to go up to the garden or pick blackberries and there they were, following right behind like four gamboling puppies.

Jaspurr is the hunter, so practically every morning there was a dead present outside my bedroom door. Believe me, I came out with my eyes open and my feet stepping carefully. Jaspurr is also the bravest and moat curious. I have seen him go right up, nose to nose, with a deer and neither one showed any fear.

The cat door is on the second floor and Danny, the oldest cat was the self-appointed guardian of the door. He lay in front of it an would not allow any of the other three to come in or go out. Anyone who tried got his ears boxed. So my nephew put in another cat door on the first floor but didn't tell Danny which left Danny very puzzled as to where everybody went and how they were getting in and out of the house.

Unfortunately my visit came to and end but I won't forget my four furry friends.

Copyright © Ruth Harding
September 14, 2002

Read Ruth's other story: Ahead of His Time