My Project: 365 Creative Writing Prompts
Day 89: Halley – A cat with an attitude
Many of you might remember Halley, the kitten we adopted some six weeks ago. Yesterday we took her to the vet for her 3rd and final vaccination.
Getting her in the cat carrier was no problem. In the past we had to push and shove our cats in there, but not Halley, she all but walked into the carrier herself.
Downstairs in the lobby of our condo building, she sat by the grill of the cage carefully watching everything that was going on. People were coming in, going out, and coming in and out of the elevators. When three kids made an appearance and the boy commented “Hey look, a cat!” the look on Halley’s face was priceless. Her expression resembled the statement … ‘Technically, I’m a kitten, Einstein.’
In the cab on the way to the vet, she did what so many cats do in a car … she started to sing. Halley is by no means competition for Celine Dion, but she definitely has a cute voice. At home, we rarely hear a peep out of her (except at meal time) but now in the car, she let herself be heard.
At the vet’s office, I positioned her carrier in such a way that she could see and be seen and predictably she got quite a bit of attention. It didn’t take long for one of the medical assistants to approach her and croon “Oh what a cute kitty.” Halley turned on the charm with a blink of her beautiful brown eyes and if she’d be able to speak, I’m sure she would have said ‘Tell me something I don’t know.’
Unfortunately, she also received some unwanted attention, that of a big golden retriever. This particular dog, called Sophie, wanted to make friends with Halley, but she was having none of it. When Sophie came up to her carrier, Halley raised herself to her full eight inches, flattened her ears, narrowed her eyes and let out an almighty hiss. (I am a kitty, hear me roar!)
Sophie immediately took a step back, cocked her head to one side with a look in her eyes that said ‘What’d you do that for?’
After Sophie had been dragged away by her owner (apparently Sophie loves cats) another dog of an unspecified breed was gonna try his luck. He didn’t even make it as far as Halley’s cage. Still standing proud, she puffed out her chest and gave the dog the dead stare, accompanied by a look that unmistakably conveyed ‘What’d you looking at?’
I think it’s safe to say that Halley has an attitude. She had never seen a dog before, but if you think she was afraid, think again. Even though both dogs who showed an interest in her could have swallowed her whole, she stood her ground and send the clear message … don’t mess with me.
Once with the doctor, she turned on the charm again and was as good as gold. As soon as she was out of her cage, she paraded around, head budded the doctor, and even purred (and believe me she’s got quite an engine).
When the time came to get her shots, I feared that she might claw or hiss at the vet, but she didn’t even blink. The whole thing was over within seconds without any discomfort on Halley’s part.
Back home, for being such a brave girl, she got her favorite food (mackerel & grilled skipjack) followed by some treats for dessert. Now the little mite is resting comfortably.
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