Suddenly I am scared. Once more, I’m that tiny kitten thrown near the garbage. What if she doesn’t come back to me? I struggle to recall her smell. I notice that the door of her cupboard is open and I jump into the top drawer. Her smell is here, and I snuggle into the soft things she wears, and sleep. I wake when the sun leaves and lie on her side of the bed. I feel as if I have lost a huge chunk of my Catness.
Tony is home. The lights in my house are on and there is noise in the kitchen. Slowly, I leave the safety of the bedroom. I hide and watch Tony eat the food Karen cooked for him. Though he doesn’t forget to open a tin of food for me, I am not hungry enough to eat it.
After talking on his hand phone and working on his computer, he goes to the television room. Tonight he drinks extra bottles of dark liquid.
‘Bella!’ He calls, but I don’t go to him.
‘Bella, Bella, where are you?’ He calls again and again.
‘So, you’re playing games.’
I come out of my hiding place and walk towards him.
I need to show him that I couldn’t be bothered to play games with him. I’m surprised when he pats the couch for me to sit next to him. Then he pats his lap. Sit on Tony’s lap... never! Cat Pride wouldn’t allow it. But, I will sit on the other side of the couch. After all, he is the one who feeds me now.
The television room feels empty without Karen. Tony looks sad and finishes all the bottles of liquid. Perhaps he is lonely.
He’s an only child, and both his parents died in a fire when he was a teenager. He has no one close except Karen and his grandfather, Pops. He watches sport, then falls asleep on the couch. Much later, he goes to bed.
I wake when Tony is in the shower. Then, in the kitchen, I hear him muttering about the food I didn’t eat the night before. He leaves my old food in the dish, and empties some of my biscuits into my other bowl. No clean water.
After he leaves, I hear the back door open. It’s Jodi. I run to her.
I say, meow meow, and jump up to greet her. She sits on the couch with me and we cuddle. She talks to me and even sings to me, and we cuddle again. I enjoy our closeness and her high pitched, cat-like voice when she sings. Her singing is so relaxing, that it almost puts me to sleep.
What a kind Human she is!
Jodi changes the litter in my box and cleans my food bowl. She gives me fresh water and opens a new tin of wet food for me. After a loving pat, she leaves.
At the door, she says, ‘I’ll be back again tomorrow, Bella.’
I eat and then sleep again. When I wake, I feel refreshed. I check my territory systematically and leave my scent on all the furniture and carpets. What a huge job! I make a point of leaving extra marks on all the scratch poles around the house. Washing myself is next, and I do a thorough job as mama taught me.
Jodi remembered to open the door to my garden, and I run out to check it as well. Nothing has changed apart from a few leaves on the ground that have fallen and a dead flower. I mark the rocks, plants and the half-tree with my scent. All is in order. My energy has returned. I run around the garden completing two circuits – less than usual, but good enough. After relaxing in the sun, I feel hungry and go indoors to eat again.
Cat Reflection! I relax on the big bed for a period of contemplation. This period without my Karen has taught me a lot. My Catness has returned, and I will not lose my Cat Survival and Cat Self-Preservation again. I cannot risk ever losing it again. Without it, the Essential Cat in me is gone. True Catness places a cat’s need for food and the protection of territory before attachment to an owner.
But, Karen is an exceptional Human, and very Cat-like. I love her and place her high on my list for survival. No matter how powerful Catness is inside me, my love for Karen is intense and overwhelming. The thought of life without her is too frightening to even consider.
Each day without her follows the same pattern. Though I miss her a lot, I realise how fortunate I am to have Jodi visiting while Karen is away.
Tony might as well not be there.
Late one morning, the front door opens and Karen is back. Her voice is happy, her footsteps are light and energetic. She lifts me into her arms and hugs me. As much as I usually dislike being hugged, this one time I enjoy being so close to her.
Then she strokes me lovingly and talks to me in her sweetest voice. ‘Bella, my treasure, my precious one, I’m so pleased to be home and with you again.’
After she has unpacked her clothes, she goes into the kitchen. She is pleased to find some of the food she cooked for Tony still in the very cold fridge.
‘Great, it will be our dinner tonight, but I have something special for you,’ she says, as she opens a tin of human tuna. Cat tuna doesn’t taste nearly as good.
After dinner, we are all in the television room. Karen and Tony sit close to each other on the couch. Soon they are kissing, and forget I am there.
The ringing phone wakes me from a beautiful dream. What a pity to leave it. Perhaps I will visit it again.
Karen smiles as she talks. ‘What good news! I’m so glad that Mia is home.’ She listens, and then says, ‘So, she wants to see Bella?’
I hear my name and wait.
‘Of course, I will bring Bella to see her,’ she says, glancing at the clock. ‘I have some free time today. We will be there later.’
Karen boils water and drinks tea.
Another visit, wearing that dreadful harness and being held captive in the plastic carry box, but anything for Mia.
It is only a short drive to Mia’s house. Footsteps and then Mia’s mother’s voice.
‘Thank you so much for coming and bringing Bella. I know that cats don’t like leaving their homes, but I’m sure that Bella will help Mia to feel more cheerful. Mia is still weak and hardly eating.’
Karen follows Mia’s mother, carrying me into a room. She opens the carry box to let me out. I check the room quickly. The bed has the sweet smell of Mia, but the rest of the room smells of a cat. I rub against the legs of a chair, roll on the carpet to make it safe, and rub the furniture. So far, all is under Cat Control. I am ready, sit quietly and wait.
Mia walks into the room slowly with her head down. She looks more fragile than the child who came to my house only a few weeks ago. Then, she had overcome the bullying and was full of life’s force.
I notice her weakness and low energy. Once she is in her bed, she adjusts her pillows.
‘Hello, Bella, you wonderful, darling cat! Thank you so much for coming to visit me...and you too, Karen, for bringing her.’
I jump onto Mia’s bed and move towards her. She pats my head, and tickles the tender spot under my chin.
She whispers to me, ‘You understand Bella. I knew you understood from the first time I saw you. You know everything.’
I have a warm connecting feeling inside. This child knows more about cats than most Humans I have come across. She is extremely cat-like.
I snuggle closer and purr. She smiles. Karen is sitting in the room watching. Touched by the love between us, her eyes mist with tears. Then, she tip toes out of the room and leaves us. In the background I hear Karen and Mia’s mother talking about us. Then everything drifts away as we fall asleep together.
We wake when Mia’s mother comes into the room carrying food and water. She has some delicious, pink fishy things in a bowl for me.
‘Prawn meat especially for Bella,’ Karen says. ‘She’ll adore that.’
Prawns! Is that what these wonderful bits of fish are called. Yumow!’
After Mia eats she smiles. ‘Being with Bella is wonderful. She’s such a special cat,’ she says.
‘I wish you could have a cat of your own, Mia, but you know that your dad is allergic to cats. Remember how sick he was when we had Chi?’
Mia looks away, trying not to cry.
‘As it is, I’m taking a risk bringing Bella into the house. She’s short haired and that makes a big difference. She is only in your room, so I doubt your dad will be affected.’
Mia looks past her mother at me, and shakes her head. ‘I don’t want a dog or cat without fur.’
Mia’s mother and Karen move away from the bed to talk. Then Karen says, ‘When you feel better, you can visit Bella and play with her.’
‘I can drop you off after school to be with Bella. What do you think of that?’ Her mother adds.
‘That will be wonderful,’ Mia says.
‘It’s a great idea. Bella could do with more company. I’m busy a lot of the time and she is lonely,’ Karen replies.
Mia claps her hands with joy. ‘Oh Mum and Karen, thank you!’
I watch Mia smile, and I feel happy too. I love Mia and will enjoy visits from her.
I am asleep in a sunspot behind the curtains, when I hear Karen’s footsteps.
‘I know you’re there behind the curtain, Bella. I can see your tail,’ she says. ‘We will be visiting Helena soon. She is at home recovering, and longs to see you. Sorry, my sweetie, but you’ll have to wear your harness again.’
Stinking Rats! I wore the harness yesterday to visit Mia and my tummy feels tender. I refuse to wear that contraption again. I flick my tail several times in strong disapproval.
Karen is too close for me to escape. My claws grip the carpet, but she grabs me firmly. Though I struggle, she ignores my reluctance, puts the harness on, and pushes me inside the carry box. A lock snaps closed. I am a prisoner.
Karen is as dominant and manipulative as a cat. She can be devious too. More proof of her Catness.
Meeeeow. Meeeeow! Meeeeeeeow let me out!
‘Shush, shush, Bella. We are doing this for Helena. You like her a lot.’
She’s right, I do like Helena, but I dislike this plastic carry box. It has a strange smell and the windows are little holes, but I will put up with the inconvenience for Helena.
I know I’m complaining, but we are in the car now, stopping and starting, and my harness feels too tight around my middle. I hate traveling, especially when I’m locked up. The movement and smell of the carry box makes me dizzy.
At last we stop completely. As before, Lily is waiting for
us.
‘Mum’s breathing has improved a little, and she has been out of bed for short periods. She hasn’t stopped talking about Bella and how much she loves her.’
Well, at least my misery has a purpose!
This time Helena is sitting in a soft chair. She smiles and claps her hands.
‘Oh, Karen, you’ve brought Bella!’
Karen removes my lead and I jump onto Helena’s lap.
‘Take Bella’s harness off. She doesn’t need it in here,’ Helena says.
Phew! Thank you Helena.
Helena has some tiny biscuits for me. I gobble them up. Then she strokes me from the very top of my head and down my nose, with her old hands that know and love cats. As I purr happily, her head slips back against the chair, and she sleeps. I sleep too.
When we wake, Helena’s breathing is easier.
I wonder how I help her, but somehow I do. That is what’s important.
Lily has the scrumptious fish food waiting for me again. It seems even tastier this time. I lick my lips and look around for more, but there is none.
‘Helena has decided that she wants a cat. She adores Bella, but Bella can’t visit every day,’ Lily says. ‘An older cat will suit us. We aren’t able to care for a kitten.’
Karen smiles. ‘What an excellent idea! I am sure a cat will be a good companion and make a big difference.’
The drive home is in heavy traffic. It is almost night when we arrive home. The house is in darkness.
‘Tony is late again tonight,’ Karen says with a sigh. Instead of the hot tea she usually drinks, she pours herself half a glass of a strong, dark smelling liquid from a tall bottle in the cabinet. She drinks it quickly. Then she lies on the couch and sleeps.
Tony’s footsteps wake us. ‘Hello...where are you?’
Karen sits up and rubs her eyes. ‘Sorry, but I haven’t made dinner, or even given Bella her food.’
‘Feed the cat and change. We’re going out. It’s time we had a date,’ he says.
The time spent with Helena has devoured most of my energy. I am too tired to do more than nibble at my food.
When they return, they are laughing and kissing. With a warm feeling, I fall back to sleep.
I am asleep on the big bed. It doesn’t take long for me to dream. The bed is my perfect dream place.
I am travelling backwards in time, to another life.
In the rosy dawn, farm animals wake. I am in a barn with other cats and three pregnant cows, soon to give birth. The cows are enormous and make big poos. With their large feet and poos, it is best to keep away from them.
The Humans, who own the farm, live in a nearby stone house. The woman likes cats. Every morning she places a big bowl of milk and bread for us cats on the steps of the house. There’s a struggle to be first for food. Only the strongest cats find a place at the food bowl. I eat from the bowl every day. As I am a good mouse catcher, the woman likes me and calls me Fast One. Sometimes she throws me a bit of meat as a treat.
After eating I sleep all day.
Darkness surrounds me now. Tonight as on other nights, I hunt for mice in the barn. Mice have their nests here. They eat the farmer’s store of grain and feed their young.
A young mouse I have just caught dangles from my jaw and I eat most of it quickly. I enjoy hunting, watching, stalking and pouncing on these little creatures. The young ones make a succulent, tasty meal. I leave the rats for the others. They are larger creatures, tougher to digest and not at all tasty.
Though it is cold tonight, we are not invited inside the human’s house, to sit next to their fire like the dogs. For warmth, I lie beside my friend, a small, striped cat. We trust each other, and though we hunt alone, we often eat and sleep together. Here on the farm, there are many cats – enough of us to form a colony. Fights break out when one cat attempts to dominate the others.
Unlike the dogs who are dependent on the farmer, we come and go as we please. As pack animals, the dog’s leader controls the other dogs in the pack, and decides where to find shelter. Puppies are at a disadvantage if the pack moves. At twelve weeks old, they are still learning about the world around them, and how to navigate it. A kitten of the same age is more mature. Their mamas teach them to hunt and they are able to live independently.
We cats live on farms for our security, food and warmth. The farmers need us to kill their mice and rats – a good arrangement. But, we are constantly on the look out for dogs. We run fast and climb, but if caught by a dog with their powerful jaws it’s the end of us.
‘Bella, there you are, asleep. Come, I need you in the therapy room.’
I wake slowly, taking my time to go to Karen.
I think of my dream. I’m fortunate to be living in now time, here in Karen’s house, and not with many other cats in a barn surviving on mice. I have nibbled the occasional mouse, but I prefer human food, like chicken or fish.
The house is still apart from the sounds of Karen and Tony sleeping. Onto the big bed, I jump and lie nestled in Karen’s arms.
When I wake, bright sunlight greets me. ‘Happy birthday Bella,’ it says, as it sends warming light to me. It knows that today is my special day, but my Humans are still asleep. I touch Karen’s face with my paw, but she turns around, ignores me and goes back to sleep. I won’t try to wake Tony, as his arm will swat me like one of those black flying things.
I am two years old today. Two years ago, Karen rescued me in the park. I cuddle up to her on the pillow, lie on her long hair.and wait. I grab a few stands of her hair, and suck them. Tired of waiting for them to wake, I nip her lightly on her arm. Her eyes open, at last.
She yawns. ‘Bella, my precious...happy birthday!’
She stretches and is out of bed
slowly. I run ahead of her, wanting her to hurry. In the kitchen, she opens the big cupboard.
‘A present for your birthday, Treasure,’ she says in the gentle, purring voice she uses only for me.
Out comes a coloured stick with a long, shimmering tail and a bell. One shake and it is magic. It dances and leaps across the floor, up to the table and along the wall. The tiny bell rings too. Such fun! I chase it until I can’t chase any longer. Then I lie on the carpet to rest.
‘A special birthday treat for you too, my Bella,’ she says as she opens a tin. The smell is tantalising and the room sings with the divine smell. Tuna, tuna tuna! My delicious birthday food is gone in minutes. Of course I want more, but more does not come.
She strokes me tenderly. I jump up to her, rub my head against her, and then wrap my tail around her arm. She knows I am saying ‘thank you’.
She tickles the top of my head and gently touches the tips of my ears. ‘Come back to bed, Bella, my sweetie,’ she says. ‘It’s Sunday and we can sleep longer today. Later some of our friends are coming. We’re having a fun birthday party for you!’
A party for me? There will be strange Humans trying to touch me and pick me up, but there will be a lot of food and possibly gifts for me.
After more sleep, Karen rushes to the kitchen to make final preparations for the guests. Tony moves the big table into the sitting room. He sets out cups and saucers, while Karen fills platters with fruit, cake and biscuits. She makes fresh sandwiches and soon the table is laden. She places a bowl of flowers in the centre of the table.
‘Now, it looks beautiful for your party, Bella,’ she says with a happy smile.
‘Come Bella, one last thing. I have a pretty, pink bow for the birthday girl.’
I battle with her, as she ties the bow to my collar, but I give in to please her.
Rats! I will tug at it and bite it off later, to be free of it.
When the visitors arrive, Karen carries me into the front room.
Bella Page 7
