The amazing, secret lives of cats

OK, I know what you’re thinking. If cats have a secret life, how would I know about it? Well, I have experience with a very tricky kitty who did lead a double life. I have mentioned Troutie, my beautiful calico cat in recent articles, but what I neglected to mention was her secret identity.

Troutie disappeared and, in spite of posters, advertisements in the newspaper and endless searches, she was gone. At least that was what I thought until six months later when Troutie reappeared with a new pink jeweled collar and smelling like perfume. She was a lot overweight and looked as though she had become a pampered pet. I never did figure out where she had been.

I thought it was a unique situation until I read an article recently about a cat named Clive who was missing for more than a year. It seems Clive vanished from his home in December 2014. His owner thought he’d been taken in by a new family after she searched and searched. She was distressed and hoping that he hadn’t been killed.

It turns out that Clive was holed up in a pet food warehouse two miles from his home. At night he roamed the aisles of the warehouse gorging himself on the spilled pet food. He was eventually caught by workers who checked his collar and called his owner. She was thrilled he had been found until she saw him. It seems Clive had doubled in size and had become a real porker. She was happy to have him back, but Clive may find his diet changed.

I assume Troutie and Clive decided they were going to live the high life and found a secret identity. I guess I can’t blame them because, as my friend once told me, “Dogs have owners: cats have staff.”

WHO’S WHO

Our Who’s Who this week is Justin Downs. We recently put a request out to our community for help with our bumpy, road and Justin came to our rescue. He is the great person who graded our road. Our fear was losing the faithful volunteers who come out daily to help walk, clean and care for our guests. Thanks to Justin our visitors won’t have to fear being lost in the void. A huge Paws Up to Justin for helping us with your expertise. You are an incredible asset to CAPS and entire community.

WHO’S NEW AT THE CAPS’ ZOO?

Our Teddy is as cuddly as a teddy bear. He is a beautiful, two-year-old Lab/-German shepherd mix. He loves everyone and wants to be around people. Teddy is smart, playful and very well behaved. He gets along well with other dogs and is crazy about Lexi the adorable dog. Come in and meet our Teddy bear: I’m sure you’ll want to give him a big hug.

We have two male kitties ready for their new homes. Policy, however, prohibits adopting out puppies or kittens under the age of six months to a home with children under five years of age. This is to protect both the children and the animal.

CAPS’ NEWS AND EVENTS

Flower Tree Nursery is again raffling a 15-gallon tree. The drawing date is March 15, and the winner doesn’t have to be present to win. Raffle tickets are available at Flower Tree, and they are $1 for one ticket and $5 for six tickets.

CAPS will be at Walmart on March 19 along with adorable Ki at our Kissin’ Booth. There may also be a “mystery” kisser. Please come by and give our boys a big hug and kiss. We have hoodies, sweatshirts and caps, so please check them out before or after greeting our canine volunteers.

CAPS is always in need of dog and cat food. Please feel free to drop it off at the shelter.

CAPS’ mailing address is P.O. Box 5128, Fallon, NV 89407. CAPS’ phone number is 775-423-7500. Please visit our Facebook page (Churchill Animal Protection Society). Be sure to “Like” CAPS on Facebook because we are really likable. Our website is presently undergoing construction. Watch this column for the grand opening of our new site.

Do you have questions, comments or a great story? Contact me jkwmil@outlook.com.

Kathleen Williams-Miller, a CAPS volunteer, contributed this week’s column.