My Very Good, Very Bad Cat Read online

  Contents

  Foreword, Robin Ganzert, President and CEO, American Humane Association

  ~My Ornery Cat~

  1. The Great Escape, Eileen Melia Hession

  2. Catflexing, Erika Whitmore

  3. Bootsie’s Pick-Me-Up, Kelly L. McKenzie

  4. Karmic Lessons from the Cat, Kristine Groskaufmanis

  5. Junior, Dan C.

  6. Road Trip, Garrett Bauman

  7. Little Monsters, Cheryll Snow

  8. The Prodigal Cat, Jeanne Zornes

  9. Never Name a Cat After Dylan Thomas, Paige Cerulli

  10. My Boy, George, Connie Cook

  11. What Are We Going to Do About Watson? Carol Teed

  12. Our Family Christmas Card, Irene Maran

  ~My Goofy Cat~

  13. Scooter Versus the Vacuum, Mark Leiren-Young

  14. More Fiber, Please, Kathryn Kingsbury

  15. The Cat Who Thought He Was a Goat, Jill Burns

  16. Nip’s Throne, Carol Weeks

  17. Angel the Water Cat, Kevin L. Dobson

  18. Houdini’s Ribbons and Bows, Andrea Arthur Owan

  19. Zippee’s Greatest Adventure, Tori Bailey

  20. Flushing His Issues Away, Lois Bradley

  21. A Cat Named No, Valerie D. Benko

  22. Pookie’s Flaming Tail, Deborah Sturgill

  23. Home Improvement: Kitty Edition, Kassie Rubico

  ~My Healer Cat~

  24. Dancing with Joe, Lori A. Sciame

  25. A Miraculous Connection, Wendy Hobday Haugh

  26. A Different Life, Beth DiCola

  27. All My Children Wear Fur Coats, Anita Aurit

  28. Knee Cat, David Hull

  29. Comfort of a King, Leslie Gulvas

  30. Missionary Cat, Ann Joseph

  31. Lion’s Gift, Jessica Goody.

  32. Daily Walk, Ruth Acers-Smith

  33. Welcoming a Stranger, Mary L. Hickey

  ~My Surprising Cat~

  34. The Feline Follies, Eva Carter

  35. The Baptism, Diane Ganzer Baum

  36. The Great Fish-Tank War, Joshua J. Mark

  37. The Amazing Cat Trick, Laura Boldin-Fournier

  38. Fat Cat, Cindy Hval

  39. A Tail of Loyalty, Deborah Kerr

  40. When the Gussycat Flew, Stephen Taylor

  41. A Sunny Welcome Home, Rachel Lajunen Harnett

  42. Game Over, Linda Sabourin

  43. A Toast to Thomas, Harriet Cooper

  44. The Cat Who Adopted Me, Elizabeth Atwater

  ~My Endearing Cat~

  45. Trapped, John Stevens

  46. Magic’s Trick, Lynette Chambers

  47. Groundhog Double Trouble, Mary Z. Whitney

  48. Miracle in the Cornfield, Laura Snell

  49. Another Baby Boy, Cindy Hval

  50. Meatball and the Chipmunks, Diane Stark

  51. The Calico Puppy, Elizabeth Atwater

  52. Three Little Kittens, Jennifer Froelich

  53. The Truth about Cats and Dogs, Clara Blake

  54. Home Invasion, Rita Durrett

  55. Chosen, April Riser

  ~My Clever Cat~

  56. A Very Smart Cat, Dylan Brody

  57. The Switch, Connie Kaseweter Pullen

  58. What in the Sam Hill…? Tina Wagner Mattern

  59. Trained in a Flash, Jan Bono

  60. King Murphy, Ann C. Kenna

  61. Bell Ringer, PJ

  62. Phantom’s Thanksgiving, Kevin Wetmore

  63. Bait and Switch, Lynn Maddalena Menna

  64. A Purrfect Escape Artist, Rick Lauber

  65. The Kleptomaniac Kitty, Elizabeth Batman

  66. The Secret Passage, Allison Nastoff

  ~My Therapist Cat~

  67. Kitty Bites, Courtney Lynn Mroch

  68. Angel, Catherine Barry

  69. The Scar, Kitty Chappell

  70. Mother Love, Kay Johnson-Gentile

  71. Healing Heartache, Tanya Estes

  72. Angel Kitten, Connie Kaseweter Pullen

  73. Biofeedback Cat, Brenda Leppington

  74. A Tiger-Sized Heart, Beverly Stowe McClure

  75. Therapy Appointment, Shirley K. Stevenson

  76. Finding Peace Together, Emily Canning-Dean

  ~My Hunter Cat~

  77. Neighborhood Cat Burglar, Mary Ellen Angelscribe

  78. Jupiter, My Not-So-Vegetarian Cat, Yolanda Ridge

  79. An Unexpected Guest, Rhonda Dragomir

  80. Asleep on the Job, Wendy Hobday Haugh

  81. The Moth Hunters, Sean V. Cronin

  82. Shadows, Keri Lindenmuth

  83. Chasing Butterflies, Denice Penrose

  84. The Art of Hunting, Timothy Martin

  85. Fetch, David Fingerman

  86. An Embarrassment of Riches, Emily Johnsen

  87. The One That Got Away, Wendy Hobday Haugh

  ~My Nanny Cat~

  88. Worst Cat Ever, Elizabeth A. Pickart

  89. Co-Parenting, May Hutchings

  90. The Zen of Travel, Christy Heitger-Ewing

  91. The Cat and His Boy, Leigh Ann Northcutt

  92. Mother’s Helper, Jill Davis

  93. Foster Cats, Mary Ellen Angelscribe

  94. Smokey the Sheriff, Kitty Chappell

  ~My Heroic Cat~

  95. A Lesson in Strength, Stevie Trujillo

  96. The Guardian and Her Boy, Ligaya Flor

  97. Who Rescued Whom? Pastor Wanda Christy-Shaner

  98. The Guardian, Trish Featherstone

  99. Lion and the Uncouth Bear, Loral Lee Portenier

  100. We Rescued Each Other, Steven M. Kaufman

  101. Hero in the Making, Heidi Gaul

  Meet Our Contributors

  Meet Amy Newmark

  About Robin Ganzert and American Humane Association

  Thank You

  About Chicken Soup for the Soul

  Share with Us

  Changing lives one story at a time®

  www.chickensoup.com

  Foreword

  I just love cats. They’re ornery, goofy, surprising, clever, endearing and absolutely adorable. Fascinating, independent, hilarious and precious, they are great hunters, therapists, healers and heroes in our lives. From the meows to the purrs to the scratches, those of us who love cats know that every day is Caturday!

  Our feline friends have long enriched our human lives. Even Winston Churchill commented about the personalities of cats in relation to us humans, saying, “I am fond of pigs. Dogs look up to us. Cats look down on us. Pigs treat us as equals.” I just love the cat-attitude!

  If you love cat-attitude, humorous antics and heartwarming adventures, then be prepared to fall in love with these stories. We love the way that Chicken Soup for the Soul features rescued cats in their stories, and the way they highlight the merits of black cats and senior cats, the ones that are often left behind at the shelters. We appreciate that royalties from this book will help support the work that American Humane Association is doing, to promote cat adoption and animal welfare.

  You’ll read about “ornery cats” in Chapter 1, including Junior, an adorable little white cat who becomes a fierce warrior whenever a dog happens by. It’s amazing how often we hear about big dogs that are terrified of little fluffy cats, isn’t it? Who’s running things around here, anyway? Oh yes… that would be the cats.

  I loved the “goofy cat” stories in Chapter 2, including the one about Scooter, a three-legged cat who finally overcomes his fear of the dreaded vacuum, attacks it while it’s off, and never runs away from it again.

  Cats are wonderful healers for their human charges as well, and you’ll read all about those “healer cats” in Chapter 3. I can’t stop thinkin
g about a little stray named Lion who was rescued by a mentally ill girl and then stopped the girl from killing herself.

  Chapter 4 is filled with stories about “surprising cats.” You won’t believe all the different ways that cats manage to confound their humans. I chuckled when I read about the woman who was cat sitting for a friend and didn’t realize she had inadvertently welcomed an interloper into the group. Two months later, she got to share in the kittens that resulted from that confusion.

  We all know people who don’t want cats and then fall madly, reluctantly in love with them. You’ll feast on those “I-told-you-so” stories in Chapter 5, all about those “endearing cats” who turned unsuspecting non-consenting adults into cat lovers. One husband even gave up his fishing season when an adopted stray cat had her kittens in his beloved boat.

  “Clever cats” abound in Chapter 6. I got a kick out of King Murphy, a big Maine Coon rescue who performs amazing feats, including playing board games with a little girl, even using the spinner and then wearing the jewelry he wins.

  Sometimes cats have a bad reputation for being aloof, and that’s just not right. Chapter 7 is all about those intuitive, friendly “therapist cats” who seem to know just what their humans need. You’ll be wowed by the story of a stray kitten who attaches himself to a man dying of cancer, not leaving his side for one moment, and who then disappears, never to be seen again, as soon as the man passes on.

  I think every cat owner knows about that famous hunting instinct, and Chapter 8, about “hunter cats,” shares stories about all the ways that cats have channeled that instinct in non-harmful ways. I loved the story about the cat family that went so far as to put an easel at the end of their driveway to display all the items their cat stole from the neighbors, so that everyone could reclaim their possessions.

  Cats can be amazing nurturers as well, often mothering puppies or human babies. Those “nanny cats” are the subject of the stories in Chapter 9. One mom even reports that she learned some good parenting strategies from watching how her momma cat cared for her new human baby.

  And finally, we read about “heroic cats” in Chapter 10, because, surprisingly, cats often save people and other animals. In the story “We Rescued Each Other,” a man with Asperger’s and stuttering rescues a black cat because they are both “not wanted.” The cat has therapeutic value, and helps the man become happier, more outgoing, and more assertive.

  I recognized all these cat attributes as I read these stories, because cats have always been a big part of my life. One of my first pets was Daisy, a stray kitty that found her way into our home in Arkansas. Daisy was with us for many years enjoying our family’s weekly spaghetti night. She was my best friend while I was growing up. Ms. Kitty was another favorite feline in our home, as was Mercedes while I was in college. Years later, Annie and her litter of kittens showed up on our doorstep in Winston-Salem, North Carolina. My husband and I spent many hours helping Annie feed her new babies. Happily, we found forever loving homes for all of Annie’s kittens.

  Now, our family is the home to three felines who provide us with constant love, humor and joy. And just recently, my husband rescued two precious stray kitties, delivering them to my retired parents who love their new furry best friends.

  While cats make purr-fect pets for some people, it’s important to remember that though they appear to be very independent, cats are actually dependent on us humans for their needs, including food, water, medical attention, shelter and companionship. But our furry friends provide us with years of unconditional love and devotion that far outweigh the daily responsibilities.

  If you wish to have a feline join your family, remember to consider the following… Do you want a kitten or an adult cat? Kittens need a lot of attention and will have to be house-trained. On the plus side, they do adapt well to their new home and surroundings. For many people, especially those who work outside the home, an adult cat is a wise choice for a loving pet.

  Do you want a long- or short-haired cat? Long-haired cats require daily brushing to keep their fur from matting, so be prepared to spend time grooming your new feline best friend.

  Do you want a male or female? Both male and female felines can be equally playful and affectionate! Gender is purely a personal preference.

  You may be the purr-fect cat owner if you…

  • Believe caring for a pet for fifteen to eighteen years does not seem like a lifetime

  • Look forward to having your ankles rubbed by an affectionate, loving creature

  • Don’t mind sharing your house with someone who sheds

  • Don’t mind sharing your house with someone who will never clean up after him or herself

  • Love a housemate who will randomly and regularly entertain you with outrageous and silly antics, at his whim, not yours!

  You can set the stage for a life filled with love and companionship by adopting a cat from your local shelter today. American Humane Association created Adopt-a-Cat Month® in 1983, and during every June since then we have encouraged adoptions from local animal shelters. But those of us who know how much fun it is to have cats in our lives know that every day is Caturday, and every month is Adopt-a-Cat month!

  Once you adopt a feline friend, be sure to care for your cat by remembering the following:

  • Twice is nice. Visit your veterinarian twice a year to keep your kitty healthy and happy.

  • No tubby tabbies! Lower the risk of obesity by feeding the right food and providing exercise. Ask your veterinarian about the right diet for your cat based on his age and activity.

  • Don’t bug your cat! It’s easy to prevent parasites with year-round protection.

  • Lost and found. Be sure to get your feline micro-chipped!

  • Cleanliness counts. Use proper sized litter boxes for better cleanliness.

  • Play for prey. Cats need exercise and play, so be sure to provide toys and activities.

  • The more the merrier! Cats are social, and adopting two or more provides for a loving home.

  As you make your way through this wonderful collection, be sure to look at the photos at the beginning of each chapter. You’ll meet ten adorable cats who are part of the Chicken Soup for the Soul family — each one rescued off the streets or from a shelter.

  So if inspiration strikes after enjoying these stories and looking at the photos, please visit your local shelter to adopt a new best friend. Remember, there is no greater love than that of a cat. And thank goodness they have nine lives for all that love they have to give you!

  ~Robin Ganzert, President and CEO, American Humane Association

  My Ornery Cat

  Fun fact: The Internet sensation known as “Grumpy Cat” is actually a perfectly happy cat named Tardar Sauce, and her grumpy appearance may be the result of feline dwarfism and an underbite.

  The Great Escape

  Fun fact: It is believed that in ancient Egypt killing a cat incurred the death penalty because cats were viewed as sacred beings.

  My best friend from kindergarten had become a flight attendant and lived in Boston. We were on the phone one night when she complained that she would have to work a three-day trip to Paris.

  “What a problem!” I said. “I’d love to be able to get away for a few days!”

  “Then come here,” she said. “Bring Kathy with you, enjoy Boston, and feed my cat. I’ll leave the key with David next door.” I wondered if it could really be that simple. My husband told me to go and enjoy myself, and my sister Kathy said her bags could be packed in an instant. We were about to have an adventure!

  We had a very easy drive to Boston and felt that was a good omen. We arrived at Dave’s apartment a half-hour early, and he was waiting for us — another good omen. But he had this little smirk on his face and, as he handed us the key, he said, “Lots a luck!”

  “What do you mean?” we asked.

  “I mean good luck with that cat. Jackie’s my friend,” Dave said, “but I wouldn’t go in there if my life d
epended on it. Here’s the list of instructions and some treats. You’ll need them just to get in.” He chuckled, shook his head and closed his door.

  Kathy and I looked at each other. Neither one of us cares much for cats, but that’s partially due to allergies. We had taken our antihistamines. We’d be fine.

  We walked next door reading Jackie’s list. She didn’t mention the cat’s name, so we returned to Dave’s apartment.

  “What’s the cat’s name?” I asked.

  “Jackie calls him Simon,” he said. “I call him Psycho.”

  Kathy and I tentatively approached Jackie’s door, reassuring each other that Dave was a nut. We put our ears to the door and heard nothing. We put the key in the lock, and then we heard him. The cat was purring, but very loudly. In fact, it was more of a growl than a purr. I was afraid to open the door, but Kathy urged me on. “Come on! It’s only a cat….”

  We opened the door, and as the cat bounded toward us, the treats came in handy! I threw them as far as I could across the room, and the cat ran after them. I saw on a table next to the door a bag labeled in big letters: “READ THIS!” I grabbed it and slammed the door.

  Inside the bag was another note along with a jar of pennies and a spray bottle of water. The note said that if Simon was acting up, we could shake the jar of coins or spray him with the water. This was not a good omen, so instead of going into the apartment, we took our bags back to the car and went to dinner.

  We ordered wine immediately. I told Kathy about my last visit to Jackie’s, pre-Simon. She has a beautiful studio apartment. Every surface is covered with whimsical treasures gathered as she travels the world. The studio has an open living/dining area. Her bedroom is in an alcove with louvered, bi-fold doors that seal off the bedroom from the rest of the apartment.

  We also talked about Simon’s (or Psycho’s) behavior. What we had seen in our very brief encounter was that the cat was a big ball of white fur and would have been considered pretty if not for its evil countenance and its size. I am no judge of cats, but I think this one weighed about thirty pounds. In any case, he was big. Fat. Huge. He had a furrowed brow, probably from frowning so much, and red eyes that made him look possessed.