My name is Mr. Tuxedo and I am a feral cat.

Illustration by Janice Boling

It's a beautiful day at the cat colony.

Welcome! They call me Mr. Tuxedo.

Mom Jan drew this picture of me and added a fancy top hat. I don't really wear a top hat, but she added it anyway. It makes me look handsome, don't you think?

Dad Tony and Mom Jan are the people that bring us cat food. I am glad they do since I like a full belly. Nothing is better than a good meal before a long nap.

I am strong and in the prime of my life. Sometimes I like to go off by myself and look for adventure. Yesterday I found one.

A feral cat adventure

After walking for a mile or so, minding my own business, I stopped for a rest. Out of the corner of my eye, I spotted a movement to the left. A hawk suddenly dipped down from the sky, grabbed a snake in its talons, and flew up into the clouds.

The hawk went higher and higher until it was out of sight. Then it dropped it. The hawk dropped the snake and as it fell, the terrified reptile twisted, turned, and coiled up into a ball before hitting the ground with a loud thud. I eased closer to get a better look.

It was alive, but stunned and moving slowly. I kept my distance, not knowing what to do. Should I go closer? Or leave it alone? Maybe I should take it home to the colony.

Of course, my instincts said pounce on the snake and eat it! But before I could make a move, the hawk swooped down again. It landed beside the snake and began tearing it to pieces. It was a terrible sight to see.

The large bird didn't pay me a bit of attention as I slowly backed off. It's a good thing I stayed away or I might have been dinner for Mr. Hawk instead of the snake.

Tuxedo cat and dandelions

Mr. Tuxedo in the grass with dandelions - photo by Janice Boling

Nature is not always kind. In the animal kingdom, the strongest and smartest survive to see another day.

After the snake incident

I went on about my business, but now I am keeping an eye over my shoulder. I finally understand why the chickens pitch fits when a hawk flies over the farm. All the squawking and flapping of wings is a warning for everyone to take cover. It's like WW2 when the bombers flew over London. All the chickens run to the shelters!

Don't get me wrong. I am not a hawk hater. There is a place in the scheme of things for everything and Mr. Hawk is surely a magnificent creature. One thing is for sure. He rules the sky.

This type of formal suit is called a tuxedo. Photo from Wiki Commons

Do you think I look like this gentleman? Maybe I do. He is Mayor Laugh-a-Lot of Oceanview, a small town in northern New Hampshire.

Laws that help prevent pet over-population

Oceanview enforces strict laws that prevent pet over-population. Unlike my area where unwanted pet numbers are sky-rocketing and shelters are full, forward thinking towns like Oceanview have a shortage of pets! They are able to take unwanted kittens, cats, puppies, and dogs off of our hands and place them with good homes. Volunteers save thousands of animals a year by relocating pets to places where they are wanted.

Mayor Laugh-a-Lot and his wife, Millie PeTilly, are headed out for a much anticipated fundraising dinner. Tickets were sold out months ago and all the money goes to support the local Adoption Center for Cats and Dogs. This Center, where pets are held until adoption day, is modern, cozy, and features a loving environment. It is the pride of the town.

Millie PeTilly Laugh-a-Lot volunteers every Friday at the Adoption Center. She works in the cat common room, helping to socialize the really scared ones. Sometimes Millie comes home with scratches, but nothing that a little soap and water won't cure.

Mayor Laugh-a-lot's wife and several of her best friends have really worked hard to put everything together for the big night. Lots of planning goes into hosting a dinner for a hundred people, but I am sure everything will turn out wonderfully.

If the menu is any indication, it will be a grand night indeed. The feast will include freshly caught lobster, scallops, and shrimp with all the trimmings. Doesn't it make your mouth water just thinking about lobster tails dripping with butter sauce?

After my day with the hawk and snake, and a good helping of Meow Mix, I think it's time for a long nap. I hope you didn't mind the blurb about the Center for Adoption and promotion of Lobster Anywhere. A guy has got to make a living one way or another.

It's my favorite time of day. The farm is at that peaceful time in the evening right before dark, the sun is setting, and my eyelids are heavy. I aim to dream about fat shrimp, juicy scallops, and lobster tails (not snakes and hawks). Hope you do, too.

Sweet dreams, happy eating, and thanks for reading my post!

Mr. Tuxedo

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