THE LITTLE CAT WITH THE BIG NAME

They say there are two kinds of cats--those descended from jungle cats who love to jump high and climb trees; and those descended from plains cats who stay close to the ground and grasses.

Moose was most certainly a plains cats. As a matter of fact, the one and only time I ever saw her in a tree, I had to rescue her with a ladder propped up against its wide trunk. But she loved to lay in the grass and prowl through the tall reeds and growth in the back yard.

Yes, I said "she." For this cat with the big name was indeed a girl. And a small one at that--white and fluffy, light as down. But she was feisty and strong. One swat of her paw defied any notion to the contrary.

Moose lived next-door with Marti and her daughter Lisa, but would often patrol my yard on her daily foray for mice, birds and snakes. Once, she actually attempted to catch a skunk, with rather unpleasant results.

She was quite independent, as most cats are. On rare days, she might let you pick her up for a moment or two, and take in an ear scratch if she was in the mood. Mostly, she was content the roll around at your feet for a while just to say hello.

She had her own routine. Leaving the house early, down a well-worn path, through the fence, across the yard to spy on the neighbor's bird feeder for a spell. Afternoons in the tall brush out back would often result in little "gifts" left in the middle of my driveway or at Marti's front step.

On warmer days, Moose loved to nap in soft patches of sunlight. You could often see her sitting lazily while Marti tended her garden, or perched on the bird bath in my front yard, stealing a drink.

On cold, rainy nights, when Marti worked late, Moose would come inside for a visit. She sat on a little bed in the mudroom made just for such occasions. But at the first sound of Marti's car, she'd be off in a flash! Heading home quick and waiting at the stoop before the car door slammed.

Perhaps my favorite story of all is the story of Moose and the Red Fox...

One fine spring morning, I found myself on the screen porch looking out into the back yard. All of a sudden, I heard a commotion from the left side of the house. Racing across the yard went Moose, and right behind her a bright red fox! No sooner had I witnessed this frightening chase, a second commotion, this time from the right side of the house. And there, racing, fast as wind, went the bright red fox...and Moose right on her tail!

Moose left us this week, on a sunny, blue-sky October day, surrounded by some of the people who loved her most. She spent time with Lisa, who was visiting from New York, saw Marti off to work, and greeted me when I came home from errands. There were bright colored leaves underfoot, and a cool breeze that made the grasses dance for this little cat with the big name and the very big life.

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