Kennel Care: Folsom Prison Blues
It was to be our first weekend away in months. It was also our first weekend away from Beanty. We went through the necessary checklist and activities, the packing, the reservations, the shopping.
In our usual way, Patrick cleaned the litter before leaving the house for work. “You know his box is going to be a mess when we get back,” he spoke through a white respirator mask.
The conversation quickly broke down into worst case scenarios. Leaving him alone for the weekend was not an option. We needed to find a kennel. It was Wednesday. We were scheduled to leave Friday morning.
We began with his veterinarian. “Do you provide kennel services?”
I stood in the kitchen talking to the receptionist over the phone. She explained that they did. The cats would be housed in small cages above a row of cages containing dogs. I envisioned Rottweilers with large teeth and vicious German shepherds. “I see,” I said.
“Well, are the cats ever let out of their cages to play?” They weren’t. I was starting to rethink my choice of veterinarian.
With Thursday upon us, we cast our fate to the patron saint of yellowbook and settled on a kennel, third one from the top.
The drive took us along a pleasant country road with wide swaths of green on each side. We stepped from the car onto crushed gravel our precious cargo in tow. A large boxer and two other dogs ran up to the log fence and strung their heads over the top for a better view. A sudden shift in weight lunged toward the back of the carrier causing its back end to sag. Things had started poorly. We moved inside.
“They’re all women”, Patrick whispered in awe. I shot him a look I hope translated accurately. A middle aged woman led us on a tour, “…and this is our cat atrium.” It was the last thing I heard.
Standing in front of us was a wall of cages seven feet high running the length of the room. Every door of every cage stood open and in each, a bowl of food and water, a litter box and pillow.
The walls were bubblegum pink. Colorful rugs in block shapes covered the floor. In the far corner were cat trees leading to an outside play area enclosed in chain link. We wrapped Beanty in kisses and placed him inside his apartment.
I stood dumbly feeling my own version of parental guilt and watched as two Siamese thugs bumped into Beanty as they jumped in the cage after him. They sniffed his water, proceeded to eat his food, and examined his litter. Little Guy sat submissively staring helplessly at the floor.
My face succumbed to a twitch. I imagined Beanty curled up at night, his wide eyes scanning the blue black darkness in search of sealed-tipped thugs looking to punk the fresh meat. Bastards!
I looked back at our tour guide. She was out near the chain link play area with Patrick. I wanted the Siamese cats out his cage and I wanted to knock them out personally. I quickly calculated the odds of being caught in the act. I seethed and suppressed my hot anger.
Our thoughts never did leave the kennel. Sitting in the middle of his apartment Beanty greeted us with head bobs and churtles. I scooped him up and set off a bomb of white powder. Our faith in the patron saint had transformed our little sprite into a talcum Pig Pen but he was no worse for wear. We choked together.
Sitting in the car, I wrapped my arms around him. “I love you Boontz. You are my little one” I said softly to him. His small body, softly purring did nothing to prove otherwise.
###
Sweet sweet sweet. I’ve never been in a position to board my kitties. My heart goes out to you.
Love your writing.
.-= sue´s last [blog post:] ..Whew! Not a Moment Too Soon! =-.
Thanks Sue. I’m glad you enjoyed it.
I think most cats are happier at home but a good kennel comes in handy every now and then.
I can totally relate. We found a kennel very similar to the one you describe, but no dogs and no Siamese thugs were waiting so it worked out well.
Welcome to #fridayflash!
.-= Laura Eno´s last [blog post:] ..Bad Maintenance – #FridayFlash =-.
How awesome that you can relate. Putting a pet owner’s mind at ease is no small thing.
So a wall of cat cages is normal? Lol…How wonderful and weird.
Thanks Laura.
“head bobs and churtles” – so apt! Great story, glad he was no worse for wear
.-= CJ´s last [blog post:] ..#fridayflash "Letter to the Editor" =-.
I see you speak the language
Thanks CJ
My cat allergies notwithstanding, just wanted to say welcome to #fridayflash!
.-= PJ (doublelattemama)´s last [blog post:] ..Hall of Messages =-.
Hey PJ, thanks for taking the time.
Oh wow, now this was unexpectedly sweet! Cats are such delights. Thank you for sharing this.
.-= Carrie Cleaver´s last [blog post:] ..Flash Friday – "Rain" =-.
I can definitely relate to this as an animal lover. They’re just like our kids, aren’t they? So hard to leave them in strange hands. Very nice. Welcome!
.-= Shannon Esposito´s last [blog post:] ..Friday Flash: Flight from the Battlefield =-.
Hi Carrie – I’m really glad you enjoyed it. They can be indeed be a delight and a handful.
Thanks Shannon,
So hard to leave them in strange hands is right. I think you hit the nail on the head. You’ve summed up an entire story in one sentence!
I’m glad the story resonates.
Awww! Those Siamese are ALWAYS trouble. My grandmother had one named Princess, and she scared me half to death.
This is such a cute story. I’m in love with Beanty. I’m glad he came out of it with churtles and head bumps.
Welcome to #fridayflash!
.-= netta´s last [blog post:] ..Wickedly Smooth — Friday Flash Fiction =-.
Aw, I’ve always heard that most writers are cat people, it’s nice to see it proven through a story :] This was a very charming piece.
.-= Kylie´s last [blog post:] ..#Fridayflash – take 2 =-.
Kylie, it may have something to do with our sedentary bodies making perfect nap stations..hehee
Netta, I’m glad to hear I chose the perfect villain. Siamese are pretty though. I now have a wonderful image of a seal point kitty cracking her knuckles and staring you down.
I’m really glad you like the story. I gotta tell you he’s so dang sweet it’s crazy. It’s cat magic I tell you…
Touching story. Thank you for sharing.
Glad you enjoyed it.
I liked it. Sweet little story bound to tug at the heart of any pet person. Mine’s a dog (we can’t have cats, my wife is allergic) but I can still relate. Last time we boarded a dog he came home with no voice. He had howled himself hoarse. We felt terrible.
Welcome to #fridayflash
~jon
.-= J. M. Strother´s last [blog post:] ..The Double Bind =-.
J.M.
Now that’s a heart breaker. I love how they love us.
Not a pet person myself but your piece gave me an insight into the head of a pet owner. Welcome to #fridayflash
.-= dan powell´s last [blog post:] ..Fourth Fiction – Round 5 Video =-.
Very nice story. I’m glad I’ve never had to board a pet, other than with family. I don’t know if I could take it.
.-= Eric J. Krause´s last [blog post:] ..#fridayflash — Uncle Ron =-.
Thanks Dan. That’s quite a compliment.
Eric, it’s certainly more difficult than I thought. Have you peeped J.M.’s comment.? That’s a heart breaker.
All I have to say is where have you been? i mean how come I hadn’t found you before! Love your writing style and I was on edge waiting to see how Beanty did! Glad he sorted out his cat hotel stay.
A really good vet hospital here has a small play area for the kitties boarding and they take turns using it. A little different than just being bombarded by strange feline toughs who think
they own the place!
Kind Regards,
Katie Kat.
.-= Kat-Renee Kittel´s last [blog post:] ..Silence of the Cats? =-.
Hi Katie,
Feline toughs indeed! Great visual. I can just hear the opening to West Side Story.
Our current vet boards. We haven’t had to use them yet but it’s nice to know. And with Christmas coming…you never know.
[...] had gone on trips before but after the kennel incident, I knew I would be staying home while they were away so their trip held no interest for [...]