The Problem With Charley Cat

 

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             “You know, Toots,” said Suzy, looking out at the snow falling, covering the ground slowly, “I don’t understand her level of anger.” She sighed and shook her head. “When she is on this floor in particular, she never stops hissing and growling. She will also swat my lady with her claws extended!”
            “Does it seem to be fear, or just rage?” asked Toots, who was also observing the world outside her window, but a very different sort of world! Warm in February.
            “I’m not sure that fear is at the root of it. I know what fear tastes like. Fear can be sudden and irrational. This little black and white terror seems more bent on harboring a grudge and striking out. She has hurt her lady recently! Imagine!”
            “So, then, it’s not a sudden thing from time to time? She maintains her rage from visit to visit?” said Toots. “Like she is planning to strike out? But against what?”
            “Well, now, as you know from our other discussions, she was saved in this house from certain death. And yet, it is in this house that she expresses such hostility. Her lady thinks that it’s myself and Willie setting her off. But I wonder about that. She rode in a car with an actual mutt dog for a whole road trip without attacking the dog or even hissing,” said Suzy.
            “You know, Suzy, maybe we should reconsider whether fear or some kind of obfuscation of fear might be at the root of it after all,” murmured Toots earnestly.
            “Maybe it’s like this somehow,” said Toots, “maybe she is aware somehow of all the trouble in the world. Maybe she is sensitive to it somehow, and it spills over in her mind to her own situation, and that house is the point in space and time where her life hung in the balance and though she was saved and nurtured, there is a root of horror remaining in her heart. Maybe she just doesn’t think about it until she is in your house on that floor. I would hate to think that she is blaming all of that on your lady. That would be unjust.”
            Willie, who was overhearing the conversation spoke suddenly. “I don’t see why you two are dancing around. Face the inevitable! You need to call up some back up and have a Purr, for discovery and then healing.”
            Mr. Baby, who was lolling about on the recliner, said, “you guys have no idea how needy that little number is! It’s not only hostility in some places, she has a need I can’t even define! And she’s bossy. And pushy! Back by the big river she wears me out! I have to go outside in the cold just to get some rest!”
            Sammie, who was also listening in, mostly without saying a lot, interjected, “maybe you have nailed it there, Toots. A Root of Horror™. Maybe that’s what this whole hissing and hitting and growling show is about!”
            “That sounds really scary!” said Suzy with alarm, bunching up like she was going to bolt.
            “Come on, Suzy,” said Willie. “Hang around, this might be interesting!”
            “Oh, I guess so,” she said, but she was still standing up.
            “Look, Charley is sleeping downstairs. This is a good time to get together on this,” said Mr. Baby in a whisper.
            “There aren’t very many of us,” said Suzy.
            “That’s okay, I heard that all it takes are two or more, and we are more than two of us for sure!” said Toots. “Everybody close your eyes and Purr together with intention!”
            So, with all their hearts united in that intention, the Root of Horror™ was loosened in Charley’s heart, and it began to wither away. She didn’t even notice at first, for one thing she was asleep!
            They all, Toots, Sammie, Suzy, Willie, and Mr. Baby agreed that it would be fun to see Charley’s attitude and enjoyment of life improve as time went on. And they promised each other to help her along in any way that they could.
            And so the power of the PowerPurr™ defeated the Root of Horror™. Of course, in truth, we know that it wasn’t the purring, it was the Power behind the purr! Don’t we!