Garfield graciously allowed me his access to the computer today. I figured what he told you about me was one-sided, and I want to set the story straight.
I joined the household two years ago. It’s taken that long for me to learn typing with my paws, but I’m here now. I’m a Manx. In case you don’t know what a Manx is, I’m a breed of cat originating on the Isle of Man, and have a mutation that has shortened my tail. Some Manx cats have no tails, but I have a stub, which I spend time twitching. I also have elongated hind legs and a rounded head. Manx cats come in all coat colors but I am a black and brown tabby.
I was a runaway from a home I don’t remember and spent some time living on my own. During that time I got pregnant, and some cat rescue people picked me up and got me fixed up, spayed and chipped. Then I bounced around from here to there while they tried to find someone to give me a forever home.
I understand that Mr. and Mrs. wanted another cat to keep Garfield company (as if!), and it was decided that they would take me. So here I am, two years later.
I do like my life here, but I miss being outside. I’ve escaped three time, twice when the door was left open while Mrs. talked to a neighbor. But I didn’t go far and came back when I was called. The third time, I butted the screen door to the patio open and persuaded Garfield to join me! That didn’t last long, and Garfield is a big pussy (literally) who really doesn’t like being outside.
Mrs. made a sign for the front door that was supposed to say Watch the Cat, but it came out Wath the Cat. Now everyone yells to anyone coming in or leaving to Wath the Cat. Her son even used it with his cats.
It took some time for me to whip Garfield into shape. He is very jealous and short-tempered, and we usually have one hissy fit a day. However, we have mapped out our territory in the house, and generally get along. One thing I don’t like, though, is that he sleeps in MY cat tree. That big gallump squeezes into my little room and spends the mornings sleeping away. Not that I’ve ever slept there myself, but still, it’s just the idea.
I do love sitting in the bathroom open (but screened) window to survey the back yard and I like sleeping on my cat tree with the sliding glass door open to the patio. I also will sit just inside the patio screen door or on the sofa cushions. There’s lots of things to see there in the morning – birds, squirrels and rabbits!
Garfield says I am weird. I like to drink water from the faucet in the bathroom sink. And I also will drink water with my paw. I do like to walk around on the bed at night, and Mrs. gets upset with me when I walk back and forth over her head. But I do enjoy cuddling for short periods of time and I purr a lot – for petting, food, and fresh water.
Garfield and I like to play and we have a ton of toys. He’s learned to take turns. And we eat the same food, although gets a lot more than I do. Mrs. fusses about me putting on weight because I’m such a small cat. But I can hold my own with Garfield. Mrs. says we’re frenemies.
Well, my paws are getting tired so I think I’ll sign off.
Samantha
