What a nice summer we have had so far. Hopefully the fall will be a good one, too.
Before we know it we will start to see the leaves changing color, to the red, yellow and oranges that Aroostook County is so famous for.
This is my favorite time of year. The air is crisp and clean. I know what comes after it — ugh — snow, but those of us who have lived up here all our lives should be used to it.
I know that most of the time my stories are about dogs. I am that crazy dog lady, and yes, I do say “Hi” to my dogs. I am one who changes her voice when I’m talking to animals. But in the past couple of months I have heard some funny cat stories and thought you might enjoy reading about them.
Before I retired, I worked with the public on a daily basis and I would hear some really great animal stories. A nice lady came into the office one day and we starting talking about cats. This lady said her cat was very smart; when she wanted to go outside she would ring a bell that was hooked to a window. Whether the cat was inside or out, she could ring the bell.
Apparently this woman had some surgery, and when the cat wanted to go out it was too far for her to walk to the door. The window was closer. So she had a neighbor put a ladder outside up to the window, and when the cat wanted to go out, she would let her out the window. The cat would then climb down the ladder. When she wanted her cat to come in, she would go to the window and ring.
Now I’m thinking that is one smart kitty. I thought this was the craziest thing. I didn’t know you could teach a cat to do this. We certainly do love our feline babies.
I had a friend and coworker who adopted a kitten from the Central Aroostook Humane Society a few years back. Herbie is his name. Herbie is trouble. He loves water and if someone is in the shower, watch out — Herbie will be in there with you.
My friend bakes a lot, and one morning before she was leaving for work, Herbie decided to get in the pantry and see what kind of trouble he could get into. Well, the trouble was in the form of a 10-pound bag of confectioner’s sugar, which he pulled off the shelf. It broke open on the floor. Did you ever try to sweep up confectioner’s sugar with a cat trying to get to the sugar? Herbie ran into the bathroom, jumped into the wet shower and back out to the powdered-sugar mess. My friend took a picture, and all you saw was little wet paw prints through the sugar.
Herbie also likes to get into the bathroom sink when they are brushing their teeth. He is one mischievous cat. When he finally settles down, though, Herbie is very loveable. He rubs his face on my friend’s face for kisses. He is surely full of mischief, and I am sure will find other interesting adventures to get into. He is a lot of fun and they love him.
Check out the Central Aroostook Humane Society if you are looking for a feline friend. We have some wonderful cats that need loving homes. Our hours of operation are Tuesday through Saturday, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., closed for lunch from 12 to 12:30 p.m.
Be a responsible pet owner by having your pets spayed and neutered.
Gail Wieder is a member of the board for the Central Aroostook Humane Society.
