Chapter 3 - I’m Outta Here! (Places to Explore)
Date: Thursday November 11
From: Cathy
To: My Friends
Saturday, Nov. 13, 2004
Dear Friends,
This new world is soooo interesting. For two days there were metal sticks all around me, 
not at all like the trees in my forest. They didn’t smell right and I couldn’t get my claws into them. I think I hear Mom call it a fence. Well, two days was enough of that. After all, I’m a guy who’s used to roaming the whole world. Seven feet by seven feet isn’t my cup of tea.
So, I climbed out. Wow, is this ever a BIG place! I went in the big room and Dolly went in my space (although I can’t imagine why). When mom came back in the bedroom there were feathers all around and stuffing from a toy of mine (looks like I escaped just in time!). Dolly then went out in the garage where they keep my food and water bowls. She found my breakfast before I did, jumped up on the counter, and ate ALL my food. Humph! So now my moms are looking for a higher place to put my food so I won’t starve.
By the way, my moms have names now. It only seems fair since they gave me mine. One I call Mom Cathy because that’s her name. (I think it is a good sign that she has “cat” in her name, even though she swears that she’s not a cat person.) She’s very intrigued by everything I do, and guards me closely to keep me safe from the hungry black dog, Dolly. The other I call Dr. Mom because she’s caring for my wound. They tell me she is a retired physician. All I know is she’s very gentle and smart.
Today, Mom Cathy came in with a big thing called a sheet. It has pretty sheep on it. When I look up I think I am back at pasture. The problem is, she pinned it so I can’t climb out. It presents a challenge. But trust me, I have the will and I will find a way.
Dr. Mom decided to change my dressing. She took off my green garb and let my skin breathe. We were all surprised to see my stripes tattooed onto my skin. Dr. Mom said
perhaps it was the creator’s paint-by-number scheme. I am very glad. The lines on my body will help my hair remember where to grow back and make me the way I was before I took that nap.
This house has a lot of bright and shiny things that will be lots of fun to play with. There are windows that have lots of color and things on stands. It looks like a swell place for a guy like me. I am so glad to be out of the cold. I worry about my sisters. I hope they figure out a way to find a home. I think trading a leg for this was not a bad deal. One of my sisters is being adopted by my mom’s friend, so I will get to see her.
I keep my moms very busy so they don’t have any time to be upset about whatever they were upset about before I came into their life. I will do my best to make them laugh and challenge their minds. I am slowly making friends with the great big four-legged horse they call Dolly. She lies beside the metal thing and we look at each other.
I will keep you up to date on how I am training the trio in San Diego. They have a lot to learn about cats, but they seem to want to learn.
Warmly,
Henry.Esq. (aka Tripod)