Clever cat tale a good one for the contest

By Keith Ross | The Daily Journal

Published Saturday, May 17, 2008

Welcome back to the bark side of life here in Ottertail where a gray morning hides a secretive sun behind a veil of tear-laden clouds.

Flowers are popping up like lost relatives after a person wins the Powerball lottery. The woods awaken to the soulful serenade of cheerful birds, beckoning to the dawn with rapturous glee. It may not feel like it but I do believe that spring is here.

What I'm sure is here, is another great tale for the “Logic vs. Instinct” contest from one of our readers.

You can enter the contest by emailing me at info@rosswoodkennels.com or write to me at Keith Alan Ross, Richville, MN 56576, or phone me at 218-495-2195. So, without further adieu, here is the first part of a tale from Merl and Zona Johannes of Fergus Falls.

“I have been following your pet stories in The Journal and we have one to share. For many years we had a cat we called “Shadow.” She was so attached to humans, she seemed to belong with us.

She had been raised by an older farm lady in the Wadena-New York Mills area who always enjoyed her “barn cats.” Whenever a cat had a litter of kittens, she moved them into her home as babies until they were old enough to be on their own in her barn and out-buildings.

She was in the habit of picking up one of the kittens to snuggle in her apron front in her lap. As she rocked them, they were touched and talked to ... no wonder they grew up placid and used to humans. Shadow was such a good companion to me as I went about all my household duties. She loved Christmas; the papers, the bows, and all the ribbons to choose and play with. She went with me wherever I went and would play until she fell asleep when she was tired.

My husband was away a lot at work, or in town, or maybe to the Lions in Underwood. She was my constant pal. I'm writing because she was an extremely intelligent cat. On our coat closet (in the living room and in one bedroom) we had large double folding doors.

They were split open in the center, with another split on each side where they folded back when opened. One night as she returned from her litter box, in the back utility room, I was on the couch watching TV with my husband.

All at once, behind the couch, the folding doors began to make a noise. Shadow was there, taking a front foot and pulling on the bottom of the center crack, until she popped it open just a little bit.

She worked at the doors until they opened little by little; enough so that she could walk into the coat closet. She taught herself how to open those folding doors so she could go in and snoop around. I could not believe my eyes, and how wise she was.”

Next week, we will have the conclusion of “The Shadow Nose.” They say curiosity killed the cat but many a cat has gotten away with being a very curious critter for many a long year. I believe when any creature (including us humans, too) uses their native intelligence on a daily basis, it prolongs their life considerably. The “use it or lose it” theory applies quite appropriately.

Keep those terrific tales coming in folks, they are great.

Keith Alan Ross writes from his home in New York Mills.