Her Day in the Sun

Apparently Tenga (one my two cats) had a free-for-all yesterday! If you know my cat at all, you will understand why this story is hilarious to me. This cat is a cat that Tommy picked out for me when she was 6 weeks old from the Humane Society. And this cat LOVES me. Just not so much other people. Tenga is.... well, she's Tenga. She's just not very nice. And therefore most people (except me), think she is the devil.

Tenga is forever trying to escape our house and get outside. When we lived in our house in Iowa, it was not uncommon to see me chasing her halfway down the street or running through neighbor's yards 3-4 houses away to retrieve my cat.

So yesterday was the first beautiful, sunshine-y day we've had in a week. I come home from work and notice our back door is ajar. Although our backyard is fenced, there are areas where she could easily escape. Panic seizes me. My heart literally stopped in my chest. I drop everything I'm carrying and sprint up the stairs to our bedroom, yelling for Tenga and simultaneously sending a silent prayer, "Please God, let my cat be here..."

If my cat was gone this week I seriously do not know what I would do. Tommy is in the field all week so I'm flying solo, and this, coupled with the biting situation and everything else we have going on right now would probably put me over the edge. This is not a problem that drinking wine could help me with.

But to my surprise, when I reach the bedroom I see both Tenga and Peaches there. Peaches is stretching, and Tenga is yawning, and they are both looking at me like, "What's all the fuss about?"

I am sort of dumbfounded. I mean, this was her one opportunity to escape, to see the world. And she's sitting here in this dark room sleeping?

Thankful, I count my blessings and strap Wyatt into the stroller to go for a walk. Some of my neighbors were outside talking, and I join them. After awhile I ask my neighbor Holly if she noticed our back door open today. She says no, and I tell her about Tenga and how I can't believe she was still in the house. Holly pauses and says... "Well... that's so funny, because earlier today we came outside, and I noticed your cat sitting outside by Amanda's house, just soaking up the sun, and I thought it was strange..."

I just BURST out laughing. Apparently Tenga HAD escaped! I could just picture her lounging around outside all day thinking she's the cat's meow, then dragging her sorry butt back inside, knowing I'd be home soon. HILARIOUS! I guess every dog has it's day, right?