Monday, March 03, 2008


Thoughts of Spring from One Unworthy of a Cat


Today was to be a day of celebration. With a high of 75! ~ yes, drool on, my northern friends, Kathryn, Alex and I were going to Aldridge Gardens to view a profusion of spring blooms. Around here, the daffodils are smiling from every corner, the yellow forsythia blooms are shouting from dead yards, and even the redbud trees are getting in on the show. I love spring. So I was all set to go. We packed the diaper bags, got the snacks, the double changes of clothes, the kitchen sink, etc. and walked out into the garage. The unfortunate part of the story begins here. Number 1: I told Kathryn we were going to Aldridge. Number 2: Alex's car seat was in the Honda sitting at Nathan's office. Agh!! Back in we trooped. OK, we stomped. I called Nathan up and suggested (kindly, of course) that it was his fault my day was ruined. He convinced me (dadgum him~ he's so very convincing!) that it was my own fault. His sympathy meter was running a little low. So, I laughed when he showed up at noon having forgotten both his wallet and his cellphone. With mutual scorn followed by mutual apologies, our happy home was restored ;o)

THEN... I decided to go out and get a cat. Those who've followed our blog all along may remember that we got a cat last summer to deal with an infestation of voles and moles in our yard. Our landscaping bushes were literally falling over as they chewed the roots out from under them. Well, our lovely cat decided to jump the fence and play with the neighbor's boxer dog, who decided to chase it and break its neck. End of Cat 1.

Now we discover the voles are back. They are sexually mature at like 3 days or something, so they can 'infest' quite quickly. No free-to-good-home cat signs around, so I hit up the Greater Birmingham Humane Society. This is where we discovered a super-disturbing thing about ourselves~ (intone solemnly, please) WE ARE NOT WORTHY OF A CAT! I innocently asked about getting a 'mouser,' an adult cat who will live outside in our fenced in yard. "Oh, we only adopt out animals to homes where they will be FRIENDS OF THE FAMILY." Turns out only indoor situations are approved. For Pete's sake, they would rather euthanize their surplus of felines than take our hard-earned money. Oh, they were sooooo superior and pious. The looks of dismay over the mere suggestion of putting an animal outdoors! They made me feel guilty for even asking. They recommended I check with Animal Control, but they also deemed us unworthy. So! If you know of a free cat who wishes to be placed in the abusive situation of having to catch mice and be petted by two children in a safe fenced-in yard, please let me know.

8 comments:

Kim M. said...

I just had to comment although I usually just lurk (since you really don't know me... I used to go to church when your dad-in-law was pastor at at East Lake). But this post was hilarious!
I would offer you the cat that keeps getting on our porch... but it's not mine and if my husband could get his hands on it, he'd shoot it! Plus we live in Indiana. I have been jealous of your AL weather! My mom lives in Sylacauga and has been rubbing it in.

Mary Ellen said...

That is just way too funny! My daughter would love a kitten or a cat but alas her Mother is VERY allergic. They probably wouldn't give or sell me one either as I do not like cats at all and wouldn't allow it to come inside either.

Hopefully you'll find one soon that will just be happy to be alive and have someone who feeds it!

Mrs. Timothy W. Pierce Sr. said...

Your story is soooooo funny! And I am jealous...VERY JEALOUS!! I can't complain, right now we are UP TO 32.5! That is pretty good for us. It could be more like 13...so 32.5 is good! But that means that you are 42.5 WARMER than us! *POUT*

I hear you about the cat thing. We are trying to adopt a dog right now. The "application" we filled out last night must have been 100 questions long-not kidding! I would agree with you on your views of animals. That is exactly what they are. I don't think that gives people the right to mistreat them, but honestly...there are children in worse conditions than some animals, yet somehow nobody seems alarmed!

Well, anyways...you have a beautiful family. I have enjoyed catching up a little through your blog. Which I found, by the way, through the grape vine, which started with my cousin, Sharron Teed (Sherman)
I, by the way, am Sally. We knew each other in Hobe Sound. I lived in the dorm. D-10. The good ole days! Even better now!
You can view our new blog at
www.piercepad.blogspot.com/

Erin said...

You are't cat worthy? Check out the classifieds for free kittens.

Just wanted you to know it has been mid 70's to low 80's... no humidity. ~had to rub it in!

Loved your story... you should be a journalist!

Kimberly said...

Too funny!
A black cat has been lurking around our neighborhood!! and even at one point ran STRAIGHT AT ME...(I yelled at it!)...if you were closer, you could gladly have that one!

Anonymous said...

We have one (a cat, that is) that hangs out by the dumpsters behind the dorm. It looks a bit worse for the wear. Great post! Thanks for the laugh.

Julia said...

Charity;

Since you made me jealous with the Spring pictures and report of warm weather I must say the following.

A safe home? Really Charity your last cat was dismembered by a neighbors dog. I'm thinking that "safe back yard" aint all it's cracked up to be. There I feel better.

kayla said...

Okay, Harold will have to read this when he gets home tonight.
Just come on down to HS, campus has become overpopulated with cats. Take as many as you need, on one will miss them.