cat

Rainbow Gets a New Home

Michael wheeled through the library talking to a fellow meeting attendee. The resident cat, Rainbow, on hearing Michael’s voice appeared from behind the counter and jumped into his lap.

The woman working chuckled. “I guess he’s going to your meeting too.”

Michael grinned. “We’ve made friends since I’ve been coming in regularly. In fact, I haven’t seen him with any children lately. “

“No. He’s getting older and not as tolerant. Want to adopt him?”

“Really? Tessa would be thrilled, but the dog might not be.”

“They’ll adjust.”

Michael cuddled him. “Rainbow, you want to go home with me?”

Written in response to Charli Mills June 24, 2021, prompt at Carrot Ranch Literary: In 99 words (no more, no less), write a story about a cat named Rainbow on an outdoor adventure. Rainbow is any cat of any identification. What would draw a cat outside? Go where the prompt leads!

06/28/2021 6

Rainbow’s Adventure

In high spirits, the veterans loaded the van after finishing their inaugural concert at the library. No one noticed Rainbow, the resident library cat, scoot out the door, jump into the van and hide under equipment.

After stopping for a leisurely meal, when opening the van door, Rainbow leaped into a surprised Tessa’s arms. “You little sneak! We’ll have to take you home.”

Rainbow sat like a queen on Michael’s lap looking out the window on the return drive.

The staff was relieved to see her. “Odd, she’s never done that before. She must have liked your patriotic music.”

Written in response to Charli Mills February 20, 2020, prompt at Carrot Ranch Literary: In 99 words (no more, no less), write a story about a library cat named Rainbow who escapes. Use this situation to write what happens next. Where does this e=situation take place, and who else might be involved? Go where the prompt leads!

02/24/2020 5

Two Meanings – flash fiction

“Look at all those eminences in the back yard.”

“What are you talking about? Speak English.”

“If you did crossword puzzles like I do, you would know I was referring to all the little mounds of dirt.”

“Oh, yes. We have a mole problem.”

“And if your furry, four legged friend lounging in the sun over there knew she was a cat instead acting like a feline eminence, she might go outside and kill the moles.”

“She’s an indoor cat and I don’t think it’s funny that you used the same word with its opposite meaning.”

“Glad you noticed.”

In response to Charli Mills March 26, 2019, prompt at Carrot Ranch Literary: In 99 words (no more, no less) write a story that uses the word eminence. It’s a rich word full of different meanings. Explore how it sounds or how you might play with it. Go where the prompt leads!

04/01/2019 4

My Useless

When I got home after two nights away with my sisters, I asked my husband how it went with the cat. You see, Useless is my cat. My husband tolerates him, and actually shows concern for the cat to the point he will sit in my chair, with my blanket over his legs so my cat will have a lap to sit on when I am away. My husband is a softy, but don’t tell him we know.

After my question, my husband tried to glare, and said, “Your cat!”

I asked, “What did he do?” Continue reading “My Useless” →

12/28/2017 2

Who’s Really My Boss

It’s National Boss’s Day

Who is your boss

The person who owns the company you work for

Or the manager of a place owned by a conglomerate

Or the head of your department

I’m thinking…who is my boss

My husband because he works and I don’t

Perhaps my children, if I admit they run the house

or they used to anyway

and I still run when they call

Wait…Wait…

Who is it that gets me out of bed to let him out

Who sleeps in my chair while I sit on the couch

Who can open the screen door by himself, but waits for me

Who won’t eat out of his bowl if the bottom is showing

Who chases others of his kind off our property

Who makes me vacuum more often than I would like to

You guessed it….the CAT

He does indeed control a lot of my actions while I’m home

Thankfully he has no other employees to boss when we travel

10/16/2017 2

It’s National Love Your Pet Day. According to the calendar, this day is set aside to do something special for your pet, or pay it some extra attention. I think most people show their pet they love it on a daily basis, but we all know that one dog or cat that gets left out in the cold with little shelter and not enough attention.

Our cat is one of those cats that owns us, we don’t own him. If Useless wants attention, he will rub on my legs, get in the way, and meow until I give-in and go sit to hold him. When he is in my lap I can scratch his chin and face all I want, but I better not touch him if he is on the floor. Like I said, he owns me! When he wants to go out, he leads us from door to door to show him the weather is the same on either side of the house. He expects us to stand with the door open as long as he wants to sniff regardless of the temperature. I know this is all typical stuff for a cat. What isn’t typical about him is his name; Useless. He’s a good mouser and keeps me company near my computer or sewing machine so he really isn’t Useless. My husband happens to think all pets are useless, hence the name. Isn’t he pretty?

One of my favorite pets over the years was my son’s ferret, named Casper, because he was almost white. On any given day, Casper could make me laugh with his antics. He loved to steal anything shiny and hide it/them in the couch cushions, usually my son’s truck keys. He could walk/hop down the hall with the front of his body facing you and the back of his body propelling him forward. He could open cupboard doors, to get into mischief, curl up in a boot (so you couldn’t find him), or slither into your sleeve to sleep for an hour. The chattering noise he made got quicker and higher pitched the more excited he got. He was always a lot of fun to be around.

When I was a kid, there was usually a canary in the kitchen. My father liked the yellow ones best. Dad would whistle while he did dishes and the bird would sing its heart out. I can picture it and hear them to this day.

Whatever your pet of choice is, today is set aside to show them some special love. If you don’t have a pet of your own, maybe you could make a donation to your local shelter to help care for those animals while they wait to become someone’s special pet.

Sue Spitulnik

Writing, Sewing, Travel, and Thoughts

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