Casper, the friendly but stray kitty, came into my life when I was a Marine stationed in North Carolina.

I was recently promoted to sergeant, which allowed me to move out of the barracks and into my own place. The day I moved into my mobile home I noticed a pair of suspect peepers looking at the furniture the movers brought in.

Casper eyed the comfy items -- my fluffy couch and luxurious lazy boy. He twisted his kitty mustache and hatched a diabolical scheme to work his stray way into my home and secure a roosting spot on my couch. Casper acted coy and disinterested in the entire scene, choosing to turn his back to me and bath himself while ignoring my girly loving cat calls. He resisted my charm even as I tempted him with tuna, toys and treats. Finally, in an act of benevolence befitting a cat of his ilk, he marched his furry white tushy up the stairs and into my place.

That night, Casper snuggled up to me in bed and we fell asleep. Apparently he didn't care much for my snoring and he meowed loudly in protest and went into the living room.

In the morning, I went to greet him but the house was empty -- no kitty. He disappeared without a trace. Well not quite. His food was gone. His toys were strewn about and a calling card was left in the litter box, but no kitty. He always came back, but his disappearing act every night was driving me bonkers. Where could he be?

This went on for nearly a week and my fellow Jarheads at work said I was crazy, laughed at me and made me do push ups. My commander said I had too many night shifts.

When I asked Casper about it he just blinked at me and seemingly said, "Dear lady, I appreciate your hospitality, but a magician never reveals his tricks." I checked doors, windows and any other way he could get out. The cat truly had my tongue.

In a final act of desperation I staged a "sleep in" in the living room to find out once and for all how a cat can simply disappear. After all, I am a woman Marine -- tough as nails, no nonsense and my military posts are always secure. No one is allowed in or out without a challenge and password.

Casper sensed the jig was up, but he fell asleep on the comfy chair and I fell asleep on the couch. I woke a few times during the night and Casper was still there.

About 4am, I heard a light tapping sound in the kitchen. I went over and noticed the cabinet door under the sink was ajar. As I opened the door, I noticed for the first time a hole in the floor boards under the sink and I could see the ground outside!

Well, as I peered down the hole I saw Casper shimmy down the drain pipe, hit the ground and walk away without so much as a gaze back in my direction. Casper had used his paws to quietly open the cabinet doors and make his escape. Case solved!

Agatha Christie and Perry Mason would be so proud!

Copyright © Angela Munson
April, 2009