An Alley Cat’s Purr-spective

By Linda Spurlin

We were born under a shed in back of a store in Chewelah. Mom provided us with milk and mice. People chased us and threw rocks at us. We ran when we saw humans. They were scary and dangerous.

One hot summer night when the music from the bars was really loud, a lady came by and put out food and water for us. Free food lying right there by our hole! Then one night, she set a strange wire contraption by our shed. She put canned chicken in it and left. I couldn’t resist the heavenly smell and was the first one in. Too late I realized it was a trick! The lady was really hiding behind the shed and pulled a string that made the door slam shut on the trap I was eating dinner in. My siblings ran for their lives and I never saw them again.

I hissed and spat and tried to look big and mean, but I was terrified. I was dumped into a cage next to other cats. None of them looked worried. Over the next few weeks, someone fed me every day and cleaned my litter box while I hid at the back of the cage and hissed at them. A man tied a string to the top of my cage for me to play with. Finally I let the woman touch me and I have to admit it didn’t hurt. Every day she cautiously petted me while I crouched at the back of the cage. Finally, I came to the front of the cage and let her pet me as a reward for bringing me good food. She called and told everybody!

Then one day she took me to a place where they gave me a shot and I don’t remember anything else. But when I came home, my tummy hurt and the lady said I will never have to raise any kittens under sheds like I was.

This winter she brought me in her house to meet another cat she had rescued. He’s a big pain, but sort of cute. He knew that every morning the humans would feed us if we meowed and rubbed on their legs and steered them towards the refrigerator enough times. He taught me all the tricks to being a house kitty. I am proud of how brave I have become. Now I can jump up on the lap of the woman who trapped me and try to steal her ice cream! I can walk right over to her husband and he will smile and feed me for no reason! I sneak past the sleeping dogs, and I peek through doorways at people that come and go. I am a brave and happy kitty, and the best part is- I am no longer an alley cat.

To adopt or to help spay/neuter local homeless pets, contact Stevens County Cat Care at (509) 935-6369, Colville Pet Refuge (509) 732-4126, or Becky’s Best Buddies (509) 935-6635.