The Cat Rescue and the Mosquitoes

I am resting after two nights of poor sleep, the result of a battalion of hungry mosquitoes who discovered me while Aaron and I were helping rescue my brother David’s cat.

David is in Colorado. His wife Caroline is not what one would call a Cat Person. When their cat, Kitty, escaped outside the veterinarian’s office, Caroline panicked. The cat, understandably interpreting this as evidence that civilization had collapsed, ran into the woods.

David called us for help.

The Cat Rescue and the Mosquitoes

We spent more than three hours waiting near the woods. Kitty would occasionally emerge, only to retreat again when greeted by Caroline’s increasingly enthusiastic shrieks. It became clear that Caroline and Kitty had very different ideas about what constituted a warm welcome.

As the afternoon wore on, Aaron walked quietly along the edge of the woods and noticed a small path disappearing into the trees. There, just out of sight, sat Kitty, apparently waiting.

Aaron got down on his knees.

The cat ran straight to him, purring.

It was a perfect rescue until Aaron emerged from the woods carrying Kitty and Caroline began shrieking again. The startled cat transformed instantly into claws and teeth. Aaron and I managed to restrain her and get her safely into the car.

(To be clear, we restrained Kitty. Restraining Caroline would have exceeded our capabilities.)

The rescue was successful, but the mosquitoes had already claimed their victory. For two nights I itched and tossed and turned. Last night I finally found an old tube of anti-itch cream in a drawer, and it worked well enough to let me sleep.

This morning I am resting.

My cat Etta is beside me. I like to think she senses my ordeal and has come to offer comfort. Etta would probably say that I have finally settled into a proper napping position and am therefore worthy of her company.

Either way, I am grateful.

Kitty is home. Aaron is a hero.   The mosquitoes have moved on to their next victim. And Etta and I are spending the morning in quiet recovery.

Etta 🐈‍⬛