If She Could Speak
Pumpkin spent her first 12 weeks of kitten-hood on the mean streets of Poolesville, Maryland. To survive, she hustled strangers for table-scraps and along the way, developed an ugly penchant for 3-card-Monty. She was nearly captured several times but always managed to escape until one day she gave up the fight and after a prolonged struggle involving a can of tuna began her life of domestic bliss.
That was November 1, 1997.
The first few weeks were not easy. She found the name ‘Pumpkin’ trite and refused to answer to it. True, she was grateful for the lazy days in Gaithersburg but Ingrid (as she was known on the streets) was a hunter and her nightly high-speed laps around her new 900 square feet digs resulted in more than a few bruises for The Girl she was living with. On the wrong side of the bedroom door, she eventually clawed through the carpet making enough noise that when the door flew wide and The Girl grabbed her she was startled into submission.
Ingrid didn’t want children and so that particular trip to the vet was a welcome one and although she carries the swaying belly from that surgery it’s better than having a bunch of brats that you can’t get rid of. Destroying the carpet and losing something called a “security deposit” was a different matter altogether and the tenderness from having her front claws removed is a reminder of that painful day.
The Girl, she knows regrets that decision and has heard her remark, “but it was 1997! We didn’t know that there were other options!” more than once.
The days and months quickly turned into years that saw, however briefly, other animals in her life… DOGS whose playful nibbles left her ear a bit ragged and a man, who was a dog of a different sort, became a husband and then a scum-sucking dirtbag. Pumpkin (she grew to love the name second only to how much she loved catnip) knew for a fact that the husband was cheating on The Girl, but could only nestle into the crook of her neck when The Girl cried fresh tears.
She spends her days in Arlington in a condo that sits in the trees. Sleeping some 18 hours a day, she now treasures the night-time not for hunting but for the time with The Girl who laughs more and cries less than before. Some days, she feels her age and others not so much. She shies away from the cards now, but watches poker tournaments on-demand to keep her “street cred”. The Girl is a Democrat but Pumpkin, could she vote, would probably vote for McCain; she and the girl can’t talk politics anymore.
Still she is, Pumpkin realizes, loved, safe, home
That’s a nice story about Cat.
There’s something about having a pet — or pets, as the case may be — that completes one. It’s hard to imagine life without one, or two, or five, loving animals around to share the joys and sorrows. Pets always know when their humans need a little extra attention. Their eyes make sure to tell you that you are loved and that whatever is giving you sorrow at the time will pass. After all, THEY love you and are there for you!
Great Story! Don’t you just love furry companions! They don’t cheat, talk back, offer unwanted advice…they don’t say anything when you spend an astronomical amount of money of non-leather shoes…they just love you unconditionally!
Great pic of kitty!!
You forget to mention Pumpkin’s fabulous imitation of a fur wrap/necklace. That “nestling” is not about affection, it’s show biz.
Love ya!