Those of you who have seen my pictures will know that I am a tabby and white cat with white paws. Today, I am very glad I have white paws. I will tell you why.

I like to sleep in Meowmie's airing cupboard in the hall because it is a safe place and also a very warm place due to it containing Meowmie's hot water tank. When I want to go into this cupboard, I sit outside it and stare at its closed door. When Meowmie sees what I am doing she asks the obvious question. I answer it by jumping up at the door handle. But Meowmie is not content with my answer until I have also said "please". So she always asks the question again. I answer by stretching up to the door handle and meowing what she thinks is "please". This satisfies Meowmie and she opens the door.

When she knows I am in the airing cupboard, Meowmie leaves its door open and before closing it checks that I have moved to another of my favourite haunts. Today, however, she forgot to check. When I awoke from a pleasant sleep, I immediately realised that I had been shut in. Nevertheless, I did not start to worry. I know that Meowmie often checks to see where I am so thought it would not be long before she discovered me.

A long time passed. I got fed up waiting for Meowmie and began to wonder what, if anything, I could do to escape from the cupboard. I tried its door. It was firmly closed. I realised that I would need help to get out. I sat back and considered what to do next. I looked at the gap underneath the door. It was far too small to squeeze through. I lay down to do more thinking. I continued to look at the gap.

More time passed. An idea came into my head. If I pushed something under the door, when Meowmie next walked down the hall, she would see it, think it had fallen out of the cupboard and open the door. I looked for something suitable. There was nothing. Absolutely nothing. I thought some more. I began to realise that I had something that might do the trick. My paws. Tentatively, I slid my left front paw forwards into the gap under the door. Eureka. It easily passed through it and into the hall. I left it out there. No-one who walked past the airing cupboard door could fail to see it; its white fur was such a contrast to the hall's dark blue carpet and the dark-coloured wood of the cupboard door.

A seemingly long time passed. Eventually, the front door bell rang. I heard footsteps in the hall. The cupboard door opened. At last, I was free.

After this incident, I don't think Meowmie will ever shut me in the airing cupboard again but if she does I'll again be glad I have white paws. :^))

Mews and purrs
Sylvia

---

Copyright © Sheenah Large
March 28, 2003