January 14
Zoey’s Skill was Cleanliness and Organization; two things at which she—with domineering pride–excelled. Her farmhouse with the red porch floor was always ship-shape. Her human residents, the Saltsgivers, were a family of five always rushing off to various school, work and play activities, and Zoe considered herself in charge of this melee. She mostly succeeded, with enough time remaining for vigorous coat cleaning. This last was what she was now attempting to demonstrate to the wobbly kitten who was infinitely more interested in ducking back under Mama Pedgie for lunch.
“Littles!” Zoe snapped at the kitten’s tail as it disappeared around Pedgie’s backside, “Pay attention!”
“Think you’re waging a losing catfight there,” said an amused voice. Pedgie and Zoe turned to see T.T’s wide grin. “Carrier news!” he announced.
“Very well,” Zoe harrumphed, “let’s hear it.” She cast a baleful eye at “Littles”, who’d started nipping T.T.’s toes.
“Ouch! Well, Old Gus is still alive and hanging on. January Thaw is expected to last only a few more days, three new sets of kittens have been born in Shenango, Chaos Jones has been accident-free for one week, Quim reports the herons will return on March third, and the devastation on Long View Road has been postponed for lack of proper building permits. Pansy’s Nerd friends have put their fundraising money toward a spay and neuter clinic, and Hayes lost a tooth after Farmer Moon tripped over him and they both fell down the porch steps.”
“Ohhh! A neutering clinic you say? When and where and how?” Pedgie’s eyes were wide as she licked her mischievous charge.
“Not sure about the when or where, but Lilliakilly’s Doc Nassir will be handling the how. Beamer told me that since Pansy’s moved to Nerd Hall, her new young friends—especially Patrick—have become very aware of cat health and maintenance. So they decided to put their money toward helping Shenango’s felines.”
The kitten had decided Zoey’s tail was more fun to bite than T.T.’s toes. Responding irritably, Zoe adjusted her clean white bib and thwacked the kitten with her tail. The little cat tumbled against the Buick’s rear tire but recovered quickly, bouncing up and down in place four times. The three adult cats cheered so loudly, the kitten ran for cover under Pedgie’s haunches.
“Well!” Zoe said approvingly, “This kit has natural Leonine Lift! You haven’t been showing him, have you, Pedge?”
“No,” Mama assured. “A little catcrobat we have here!”
T.T ducked under the exhaust pipe, preparing to leave. “Hope he gets a good home soon,” he said. “See you two charming queens later….and our tiny tiger, too.”
Zoe humphed again, but she was flattered. Remembering the news about Hayes, she decided to end Cleanliness and Organization early. If Hayes wasn’t seriously hurt, this was too great a teasing opportunity to miss.
I’m grateful for your support in making Shenango Cat stories possible. Any donation is appreciated!
BELOW ARE SOME REWARDS I CAN OFFER FOR YOUR GENEROSITY.
$5.00 – Your pet will be featured on this site as an official resident of Shenango.
$10.00 – You will receive an ORIGINAL ART CARD signed by me. Proceed to the Contact section to send me your contact details.
Shenango Cats 