The Christmas Cat Tails

by Peter Scottsdale

  “You already have.”

  “No one breaks up with me.”

  Kim pushed past Alan and staggered into the living room. He followed. Poof lay curled up on the recliner, and she picked her up.

  “What are you doing?” Alan asked.

  “Destroying you. You love this cat more than me.’

  Kim threw Poof across the room. She slammed in an end table and struck the wall. She yowled and dropped to the floor without landing on her feet.

  “Poof!”

  Alan screamed and ran to his precious Ragdoll Cat. She lay twisted on the carpet, not moving. He kneeled beside her.

  “That felt so good,” Kim said.

  “Get out! Get out before I tear you in half.”

  Kim ran for the door and got out with her life and nothing more.

  Poof breathed but otherwise did not move. Alan took out his iPhone out of his pocket and dialed her veterinarian’s emergency number.

  “Come on, come on,” he said as it rang.

  A woman answered.

  “Cypress Hills Veterinarian Clinic. Is this an emergency?”

  “Yes. My girlfriend threw my cat and now she’s not moving. I have to get her in. Now.”

  “Is she breathing?”

  “Yes.”

  “Is she bleeding?”

  “No.”

  “What is your name?”

  “Alan Barton. Can I bring her in now? It has to be now.”

  “Yes. I will contact the vet on call. She will meet you at the clinic. Alan, you need to carefully move your cat. She may have internal injuries. Do you have something flat to slide her onto? Like a wood panel or a baking sheet?”

  “I have a baking sheet.”

  “Good. Get it and slowly, carefully slide it beneath her,” the operator said.

  Alan put the phone down, got the baking sheet and pushed it under Poof with utmost care. Alan picked up his cell.

  “I got her,” he said.

  “Now bring – what’s your cat’s name?”

  “Her name is Poof.”

  “Bring her in. The vet is on her way. You going to be okay?”

  “I’ve got her. I think so.”

  “Do you want me to stay on the phone with you?”

  “No. I need to put my phone down to carry her.”

  “Good luck, Alan.’

  He hung up and replaced his cell in his pocket. Gently, he picked up the baking sheet, and as quickly as he could without moving her, he took her out to his van. After opening the passenger door, he placed her on the front seat and got on his way to the animal clinic.

  “Poof, please be okay. Please be okay,” he said all the way there.

  Normally a ten-minute drive, Alan got there in five. The longest ride of his life.

  Chapter Eighteen

  When Alan arrived at the pet hospital, the lights were off. He had got there before the doctor. He pulled into the parking lot, parked and turned off the ignition. He looked down at Poof. She had not moved. But she breathed.

  She’s still alive. A good sign. Where’s that vet?

  He lowered his head, closed his eyes and clasped his hands together.

  “Lord Jesus, please help her. Please let her be okay. I’ll do anything, just make sure Poof is okay.”

  He lifted his head and opened his eyes. A light shone inside the clinic. A woman unlocked the front door. Alan got out of the van and rushed to the door. He threw the door open and called out.

  “I’m the guy who called. Are you the vet?”

  “Yes,” the woman said. “I’m Doctor Westly. Where’s your cat?”

  “In the van. I didn’t want to move her. She’s hurt bad.”

  “Let’s go get her.”

  They exited the building and got to the van. Alan opened the passenger door and the doctor leaned in. With care, she picked up the baking sheet. She took Poof into the hospital and into an examination room. He followed.

  “She’s breathing,” Doctor Westly said.

  She examined Poof, running her hands over her, feeling along her back. She took out her stethoscope and listened to Poof. She looked inside her mouth and ears.

  “I have to do some x-rays,” she said. “You can wait in the reception area.”

  Dr. Westly took Poof out of the exam room and down the hallway. Alan sat in the waiting area. His heart pounded hard and he trembled a little. He prayed again. And he called Darla.

  He told her what happened, and she said she’d be right there. Fifteen minutes later, she joined Alan in the waiting room. He went to her, and they wrapped their arms around each other. He sobbed.

  “She’ll be okay. You’ll see,” Darla said.

  Alan nodded. They parted after a few minutes and sat down. She took his hand.

  “Why would she do that?” Alan asked.

  “She’s not a good person,” Darla said.

  Doctor Westly emerged from the back.

  “Alan, it’s not good news.”

  Darla gasped, and Alan squeezed her hand.

  “Her spinal cord is severed. I’m amazed she’s still breathing. There’s nothing I can do.”

  Alan cried, and Darla held him.

  “I know this is difficult. But I need your permission to put her down. She will only suffer if we don’t.”

  “Oh, God,” Alan said. “I don’t want her hurting anymore. You can do it. She’s such a good kitty. Such a wonderful cat. She saved my life, but now I can’t save her’s.”

  Tears streamed down their faces.

  “What would you like me to do with the remains?” the vet asked.

  “I don’t know. She was so happy with me.”

  “Would you like us to dispose of the remains?”

  “Yes.”

  “I’m sorry,” Dr. Westly said.

  Alan and Darla got up and left the building into the darkness of the night.

  Chapter Nineteen

  Each in their own vehicles, Alan and Darla drove to her place. Alan’s eyes teared up, making his vision blurry. He took it slow on the icy roads. They got there and went inside. Capone met them at the door and meowed, demanding to get fed. He ran to his food dish in the kitchen, and they came with him.

  “You hungry?” Darla said to the noisy kitty.

  She fed him. Alan reached down and scratched him. More tears came on, but he held them in. Capone ate like he hadn’t eaten in days. By the look of him, he’s been fed everyday all day.

  Darla hugged Alan and led him to the living room couch. They sat side-by-side, saying nothing. What could be said?

  After some time, she said, “How are you?”

  He shrugged. He wanted to cry but didn’t.

  “She was such a good kitty,” he said after a long pause. “She would always sleep in the strangest positions. I brought home a cardboard box, and she sat and lied in it for hours. Why would a cat want to just sit in a box?”

  “Yeah, no kidding. Capone does the same thing. Crazy cats,” she said with a little laugh.

  Alan gazed into her eyes. Tears developed, but this time they were not for Poof.

  “I’m sorry,” he said.

  “For what?”

  “For letting that – that witch back in my life and for hurting you. She’s nothing but trouble. You – you – you’re the best thing that’s ever happened to me.”

  Darla’s own tears appeared.

  “With Poof a close second,” he said.

  Darla laughed.

  “She had such beautiful blue eyes. Powder blue eyes.”

  “So do you.”

  He kissed her.

  “I love you.”

  “Me too,” she said. “I was so worried about you with her. She almost got you to end it all. I thought she might do it again.”

  “I wouldn’t do it again. Poof showed me there’s a lot to live for. Like you. Without her, I would have never met you.”

  “Without her, you’d be dead.”

  “Without the Lord, I’d be dead. It’s going to be
one year since he sent her to me tomorrow.”

  “Do you still want to go back to Oshawa?”

  She rubbed his hand.

  “No. Not if it means I have to leave you. I can’t leave you.”

  “What about your friends, your family, and your mom?”

  “I miss them, but I want to stay here with you.”

  Darla wrapped her arms around her man and held him close. They basked in their love for each other. But Capone broke it up. He jumped onto Darla’s lap and put his paw on her shoulder. She turned to her daughter’s cat.

  “What, Capone? I think someone’s jealous,” she said.

  Alan petted him, and he got down. The couple spent the evening being with each other. A warmness made them glow. He wanted to make love to her, but decided to wait for their honeymoon. They fell asleep holding each other.

  *

  Their honeymoon came the following summer. Pastor Jim performed their wedding service. Alan’s mother came across the country to attend, and Chelsey welcomed her new father.

  Soon, Darla became pregnant and then a little boy came along. Alan had a time he never dreamed could be. He never forgot Poof – the reason he now had this wonderful life.

  As for Kim, Alan turned to his wife and said, “You made me forget about her. Thank you.”

  Jasper: A Siamese Story

  Chapter One

  "Grandma, I need a favor," Sharon said to her only living relative.

  "What is it, honey?"

  "My cancer surgery has been booked for Tuesday in Calgary. Will you take care of Jasper for me?"

  "I can't," Vera said into her phone.

  "Grandma, I've tried everybody else."

  "What about a kennel?"

  "I can't afford a kennel. With the surgery and chemotherapy, I could be out of work for months. And I only have so much in savings."

  "I don't know, not at my age."

  "He's easy to take care of."

  "I've never had a cat before. I like dogs. Not cats."

  "You can like cats too."

  "No, I can't."

  "It's only temporary, Grandma."

  "I don't know."

  "All you do is feed him, make sure his water dish is full and clean out his litter box once a day."

  "What if he gets sick?"

  "Then you'll have to take him to the vet."

  "No, I can't. The SPCA will watch him. Try them."

  "No. They'll give him away. Or worse. Please, Grandma."

  "I-I'm not sure."

  "Grandma, I need you now. I only have you and Jasper. Please, Grandma. I really need you."

  "I guess so."

  "Thank you. Thank You! It's only for a little while. I'll be over this cancer in no time. Can I bring him over tomorrow afternoon?"

  "I suppose."

  "See you then. Thanks, Grandma. I'll bring everything you'll need. He's easy to care for, you'll see."

  "Alright. Tomorrow then. Bye."

  Click.

  "What am I going to do with a cat?"

  Chapter Two

  The next day after lunch, Sharon arrived at her grandmother's home in northeast Langston Falls. After a knock, Vera let her in.

  Sharon carried in a cat carrier and a reusable shopping bag and set them on the floor. The young Siamese meowed a few times. Sharon hugged her grandmother - a warm embrace on a cold day.

  "This is Jasper," Sharon said and picked up the carrier. Jasper continued meowing.

  "He makes a lot of noise. I heard Siamese cats have a loud meow. I like it quiet."

  "He usually only meows when he's hungry. Otherwise, he's not too talkative, and this is a new place for him."

  Vera's brow crossed.

  I don't want to impose on her, but I've got no choice. I don't want to lose Jasper, my furry baby boy.

  "I brought a bag of Whiskas, some Temptations treats, cat litter, his litter box and dishes. We should set his stuff up before we let him out to explore."

  Sharon picked up the green bag, and they put everything in its place - water in a dish, litter in the box and food in the cupboard.

  "When should I feed him?"

  "In the morning when you get up and before you go to bed. Give him a quarter cup each time. He'll remind you when it's dinnertime. Trust me, he'll remind you."

  Vera rolled her eyes. They went back to the talkative Siamese, and Sharon let him out. Jasper stepped out of the cat cage. His eyes wide, he looked from side-to-side and meowed. He sniffed around his new surroundings - first the living room and onto the kitchen.

  "You want some tea?"

  "Love some."

  After the water boiled and tea bags were dipped and squeezed, they sat down in the living room.

  "I'm worried, honey. Your mother died of breast cancer. And I'm afraid you will too."

  Sharon reached over and held her hand.

  "The doctor said they caught it early. They're going to do some minor surgery to remove the small lump and then I have some chemotherapy to go through to make sure the cancer is gone. They've come a long way in treating breast cancer since Mom died twenty years ago."

  "She had it early, like you. She was only 28 when she died. By the time she went in for treatment, it was too late."

  "I know you're worried. But I'll be fine. Oh, before I forget, you have to make sure Jasper's food is put away or he'll get into it."

  Jasper walked down the hall toward the bedrooms.

  "He's such a cute kitty, Grandma. He loves to play with a string or just about anything he can bat around."

  Jasper returned to the living room and announced his presence.

  "I'm gonna miss him," Sharon said with tears in her eyes. "Grandma, I'm scared."

  Vera put her arms around her granddaughter and pulled her close.

  "You're young and strong, honey. You'll make it through. They caught it early. Jasper will be here when you're ready to take him back. I'll take care of him. You can do it."

  Sharon nodded, and they pulled apart. Sharon wiped her tears.

  "I have to go. My surgery is tomorrow morning but I have to be there tonight. And it's a long drive."

  "Okay, honey."

  They stood up, and Sharon picked up Jasper. She hugged and kissed him, and he purred.

  "I want to hold you forever."

  She put him down after some more loves. He sat beside her with his head up. Sharon held back the tears, hugged Vera and said, "Good-bye."

  And she was gone.

  *

  Vera waved and her granddaughter drove away. She closed the door and wept. She took out a Kleenex, dabbed her eyes, then returned to the couch. She drew in heavy breaths and sobbed. She hadn't cried like that since James died.

  A softness touched her arm. Jasper put his paws on her. He moved up toward her head and pushed his face into hers. Vera pulled away, still Jasper nudged her cheek. She stopped crying and ran her fingers through his fur. Her eyes smiled. She petted him down his brown back.

  "No wonder she loves you."

  Chapter Three

  At 7:50am the next morning, Vera woke to Jasper curled beside her. She scratched him between his ears. She got out of bed, went for a pee and washed. Time to feed Jasper and herself.

  Why isn't he meowing for food? she thought. Like Sharon said he would. I fed him last night so he should be hungry. I hope nothing's wrong.

  Vera went back to her bedroom. Jasper still lay on her comforter.

  "It seems you're not hungry this morning."

  She stepped into the kitchen where cat food covered the floor. She forgot to put the bag of cat food in the cupboard, and he tore a large hole in it. Not only had he gorged himself, he played with the food and made an awful mess. Whiskas everywhere.

  "Why you little...bad cat. Bad, bad cat."

  Vera retrieved the broom and dustpan from the kitchen closet and swept up the hard cat food, dumping it back into the bag with some falling out the hole.

  "What am I going to do with this bag, Jasper?"r />
  From the cupboard above the refrigerator, she took out a sizable plastic container with a snap-on lid that she used to keep oatmeal in.

  "Perfect."

  Vera poured the cat food into the container with some spilling onto the floor. She cleaned up the rest of the it and snapped the lid shut. The container went into the cupboard.

  "Let's see you rip that open, bad cat. Bad Jasper. Sharon better get better soon. Otherwise, I don't know what I'm going to do with you...you...you naughty kitty."

  Chapter Four

  Six months before her breast cancer diagnosis, Sharon answered an online ad from someone giving away kittens.

  It would be great to have a cat again. Since jerkwad made me get rid of Bubbles. I miss her. But not him. I'm so glad he moved out.

  She got the address and drove over that evening. A woman greeted her at the door and took her inside to the kittens. The mother, a Siamese, had five kitties - three were Siamese, one an Oriental Shorthair, and a Siamese/Tabby mix.

  "We tried to keep her indoors when she went into heat, but the horny little Manx got out and had a field day. She obviously mated with more than one Tom. The neighbors have a Siamese male who's not fixed so we figure he got to her along with some of his friends," the woman said.

  "I like the Siamese ones."

  She picked up one that pushed away from her. She put that one down and got another - a boy. He cuddled into Sharon and purred.

  "That's Jasper".

  "How old is he?"

  "Eight weeks or so."

  Sharon kissed Jasper and held him close.

  "He doesn't seem to mind being kissed."

  "Yeah, he's a suck."

  "I'll take him." Sharon rubbed her face into his.

  *

  The first night with her, Jasper searched his new surroundings. He settled into Sharon and her apartment and the routine of being fed twice a day with some occasional treats.

  One evening after Sharon had gone to bed, Jasper invaded the garbage can and ate some left over Kraft Dinner. Sharon awoke to garbage littering the kitchen.