01/31/08 Barn cat II

Yesterday I told you about Fuzzy, a wanna-be barn cat that had a few lessons to learn. I'm Jeff Keane; today I'll relate some of those lessons. Fuzzy was a long-haired, big footed, big eyed cat that showed up at the ranch early this summer and gradually worked his way close enough to the barn to be fed right after the barn cats were given their meal. Fuzzy was pretty good at using his acting talent to get his food, but his lessons were just starting on the proper manners and knowledge needed to be a barn cat. His first lessons came from the old female of the pride and they were learned swiftly and punctuated with bits of Fuzzy's long hair floating in the breeze. New knowledge was acquired from other members of the resident pride which would result in Fuzzy being gone for a couple of days while he did his homework and worked up courage to come back to the barn. When one of the heifers calved early and her calf needed help nursing, Fuzzy thought he would help, but he had no experience with cows. The heifer gently escorted Fuzzy out of the pen and then actually let me help her calf as she just stood there. As I worked with the calf at the heifer's dinner plate a cold chill went through me as Fuzzy came back and walked between the cow's back legs. I knew Fuzzy, the calf and I were going to be kicked out of the barn. But no, Fuzzy just strolled out from under the heifer and then the heifer saw him. She boosted Fuzzy up the corner of the barn as his hair got longer and his eyes bigger. That cat got enough traction to run along the barn wall and out under a gate. Luckily Fuzzy passed his cow exam and did get his barn cat diploma. I'm Jeff Keane.