Emergency Meeting: The Owl Situation!

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            “Thank you, everyone! I know this has been short notice, but something has come up suddenly. It places everything else on the back burner, whatever that means,” said Toots, on this particular Tootsday, an auspicious day no matter what the circumstances. 

            “I want to welcome and thank each of you. All of our regulars have picked up. I tried to reach three different outdoor Freecats™. Perhaps they will speak up?” said Toots. “As we know, outdoor freedom is a two edged spatula! If they are able, I, for one, would be fascinated to hear their observations.”

            “Yes, yes. I hope they’ll pipe up too,” said Willie. “But, what’s up? We’re all ears, Toots!”

            “Exactly, thank you, Willie! I’ll get to the point right now! But please bear with me! It’s almost too awful. (pause) Alright. To continue. It has come to my ears, by way of my gentleman, who has seen some desert video recently. The fact of the matter is that he saw owl’s nests up in the rocks. And in these nests were the bones and other memorabilia of these grotesque fowl’s victims. Among the battered artifacts were cat’s collars! It’s too much!” said Toots, emotionally.

            General hubbub ensues for a few moments.

            “Now, those of us who have been Freecats™ know about the usual perils. Mr. Baby Sir could speak on the subject, I am sure., as could several of us. The most infamous ones we have faced, tricked, outsmarted and evaded are the usual sneaks. Those would be coyotes, foxes, loose dogs, wandering dogmen, disgusting creatures, and the occasional raccoon. A criminal sort, to be sure!” said Toots.

            “I’ve met and bested them all,” said Mr. Baby Sir. “I spend quite a bit of time outside. So far all enemies have been of the grounded variety. You can see them coming on the level with yourself.”

            “Admirable, Mr. Baby Sir. We wish you continues success,” Toots added.

            “I got out once or twice,” said Suzy. “But nobody was out there to eat me. I saw birds. Big noisy black ones and little dumb brown ones. I don’t think we even have owls around here.”

            “We have fruit rats,” said Buddy. “The boss hates em! But that new cat who’s been hanging around outside scares em away. Never saw an owl. What does an owl look like anyway?”

            “Does anyone know? I sure know what they sound like. We have barrels of owls around here. Hoo-hoo-hoo, all night. That’s all they have to say!” said Toots, heatedly.

            Charley put a paw up. “I’ve seen pictures. On my lady’s computer. An owl is kind of blunt looking. Oval. Round at both ends. They come in several colors. Most are kind of speckled and gray. Some are white. They look bigger than they are under all those feathers. They have big spooky eyes, always staring to catch a cat, and a dreadful sharp hooked beak! Then there are the feet, made of hideous hooked claws. The things look like killers! But people think they are beyoootiful, so wild and cool!”

            “That’s all very easy for them! No owl is going to carry one of them away to its nasty gross nest,” said Toots. “They should think more about how these airborne monster feed themselves!”

            “Airborne! That’s the word isn’t it,” said Willie. “They come out of nowhere, because they are up in the air, and when they are hunting they make no sound. You won’t hear a Hoo out of them then, oh no! Silent and greedy!”

            “Owls  hunt at night, or in dim light. But we have to remember hawks and eagles are hunters too, and they hunt us in the light. The sky is dangerous, my friends,” said Toots.

            “Too true, Toots, dear,” said Suzy. “So, what’s the solution? I mean for those who go outside.”

            Mr. Baby Sir stood up to face the group of assembled cats. “I’ll tell you what the solution is. Stay in the house, or watch the sky! Always watch the sky, night or day! It’s what I do and I’m standing here before you today, alive!” Then he sat down again.

            There was general applause.

            While everyone was settling back down, a little voice no one had heard before spoke up. They couldn’t seem to see her either, but they could hear her.

            “Have you thought about all the cats who never wore a collar, dear friends? We are victims of the horrible owls too! I never had a collar, nor did I ever have a name..” she said, then fell silent.

            “Please stay,” cried Toots, but the voice was silent.

            A little shudder shook several of the ladies present.

            “Oh, I think it’s time to Purr™ together now. I think it’s time. Let’s put our hearts together for those who have fallen, but also for all cats everywhere. Let them look to the sky always! Except when in the house!” said Toots.

            So, that’s just what they did. Each in their own home, but together in spirit. It was a long Purr™ and heartfelt.

            Each drifted back to his or her own life, and their own thoughts.

            “Do you think it was a good meeting?” Toots asked Sammie, as they sat together after the emergency meeting.

            “I do,” said Sammie. “And I think everyone learned something!”

            “Except for that Mr. Baby Sir!” laughed Toots. “He’s got it figured out!”

            “He was right, though,” said Sammie.

            “Yes, he was, dear,” said Toots, but she was still grinning..

 

Mrrrrt!

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