Cruiser the Cat - Part 1

t was inevitable that after two and a half years together that Sue would become expectant. Yes, Sue expected to get another cat to replace the petite Miss Priss that she had loved for years. A slight, shy, gray striped female cat, Miss Priss was still a warm and friendly memory to Sue.

It would take an extraordinary cat to replace Miss Priss, so Sue thought about it for a long time before deciding to get another. This one, however, would be a little different. Male, declawed, neutered, larger, but just as friendly and playful. So one day Sue made a decision and said to me, "We're going to have a little one."

And I was thrilled to think that soon we would hear the pitter patter of little feet. The search began almost immediately as Sue went to her computer and began to ask Google for sites on the web that advertised cats for adoption, such as the Humane Society and the local SPCA. In no time she found a gray cat at the Humane Society that seemed to match her desires. It was named simply "Kit". That would have to change to something more in line with our interests and lifestyle.

We set off in our little PT Cruiser and found the Humane Society on the outskirts of Brooksville, Florida. One of the buildings was appropriately named the Cat House. There must have been two dozen or more cats of various sizes, ages, and colors nestled in cages in one room. There were grays and whites and blacks, kittens and mature cats, active and sleepy ones. Kit was lying peacefully in a cage as we entered with a more active mottled white one caged below. The white one, younger and smaller, reached a paw out and seemed to say that she ought to be the chosen one, look how playful I am.

We looked at them all as they responded to our fingers through the cage bars. Two young black ones were particularly appealing and friendly as they pawed playfully with our finger. Others just nuzzled the bars out of curiosity. Kit ambled over to the side of the cage and smelled our fingers, seemed to accept them, and then stared wistfully at us. For Sue it was love at first sight. Within a half hour we had made all arrangements, placed Kit in a cat carrier, and prepared to take Kit home in our PT Cruiser.

The ride was fine. The cat seemed content as Sue stroked it and cooed at it. Indeed, the cat even seemed to enjoy the ride. We discussed a new name for the cat, and in its docile state, I suggested calling it Felix, The Comic Cat. Sue rejected that. Next I volunteered Bruiser, The Attack Cat. Sue rejected that also. And then by inspiration I called out PT Cruiser, The Cat That Likes To Ride. And believe it or not, Sue liked the name of Cruiser. And that's how Kit the cat became Cruiser the Cat.

And we will continue our saga of Cruiser in another installment, for there is much to tell of our experiences with Cruiser the Cat.

We will be offering the continuing episodes of Cruiser the Cat in future issues of your Pet Lines newsletter. We thank Arthur "Rusty" Peacock of Weeki Wachee, Florida for his most enjoyable contribution to our newsletter.

March 21, 2008

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