Memoirs of a Feral Cat

12 Not only did I gobble up the bits, but like any self-respecting cat, I also licked every nook and cranny of its flat, lined paw. My tongue delved into the folds of its flesh, lapping up the tantalizing remains, when the creature took advantage of me. Its other paw stretched out and rubbed my side. “No!” I hissed, retreating. “Don’t do that again.” I sped off, disgusted. The allure of an easy meal beckoned, bringing me back day in and day out until one day I made a sacrifice. I allowed the two-legger to pat me with its dry, hard paw. The weight of it pushed down my tail-end. My spine shivered, and I stepped away. One rub was all I could endure. Encouraging my future meals was a priority. Life was difficult, and hunger wasn’t a stranger to me. Eating regularly each day became a new experience. By following the young two-legger around the garden, it would throw down food. Maybe these beasts weren’t so bad after all. Ha! Foolish Molly. Little did I know. After a number of visits, the creature decided to change its routine and walk into the house. leaving the door open. I didn’t know what to do: go in, stay out, wait at the door. It solved the problem by dropping food inside. Instead of standing still like before, it made a lot of noise, bobbing its head up and down like a hungry bird. My instincts ordered me to observe only. Not until it backed away did I enter. The array of smells hit me: plants, burnt meat, wood, and more two- leggers. My eyes flicked around the room, taking in only furniture. I let out my breath and ate my offering. After a quick sniff in a corner and a peek under a sofa, I ran outside. My next phase with two-leggers had begun. I explored their home little by little. Nooks, crannies, bends and turns called to me, “Put your nose here. Brush your whiskers against me. Place your paw on me.” I encountered wet and moldy, soft and lumpy, hard and smooth and occasionally essence of mouse. Two-leggers loitered about. Their smells varied from flowery sweet to musty dirt. Sometimes a sharp smell emanated from them that penetrated