Cat and a Half

Shannon died. This was the end of an era for Dee. Shannon had been to her what my old El Camino had been to me - a constant - though flawed (both were so very flawed), something that had been through the dark tunnel with us. Now it's a bit more admirable that a living creature and not a cartoon car/truck hybrid had accompanied Dee but we all hang on to what we can take comfort in. When Dee was going to move in with me - temporarily, we barely knew each other really, she dropped off Shannon in soft-sided kitty bag. Dee unzipped it and out popped this exotic-looking creature. She promptly disappeared. Dee had to return to Mississippi County to finish a 96 hour shift. Shannon gave me a bit of approval by the time Dee returned and I truly believe that helped Dee to decide to stay a while. She never found an apartment (a college town can have a lame rental scene) and Shannon had settled in anyway.

I'm encouraging Dee to write here about Shannon. She knew her from the weepy eyed absent kitten to a companion on her cross-country trip. I saw her as antisocial, strange, and she left the legs but ate the bugs. I heard her purr once. It was a big occasion. She perched like a catgoyle - the annoyed guardian. She eventually became sick and miserable and the decision was made. After Shannon died, we decided to wait a while for another cat. The mourning period commenced. Dee would sit and watch movies with tears in her eyes, missing Shannon. It was unbearable - we decided to do a window shopping visit to the Humane Society. We looked at the kitties - oh they were cute of course. We stayed true to our word and left empty handed.

A week or two later (Dee probably should be telling this story) we went back. We wanted to hold kitties this time - to pick a kitty that would be the "right" cat. Not a Mickey-man cat (former cat of Dee's who always wanted to be outside). Dee wanted one that craved human affection and resonated "hold me!". I wanted a player. We were told about the "cat and a half special". Choose one cat and get a second one at half price. Dee settled on a cat who fell asleep in her arms and I had to have the tuxedo cat who batted the ball relentlessly.

We named the sweet one Laura Ingalls, she had such an overbite we eventually had to get her bottom teeth filed. Vegas seemed like the perfect name for the conniving, clever tuxedo cat. I forget which one is the "half cat". Don't believe Dee if she says it's Vegas. Vegas is ALL cat!