The Enigma of Jadey
I always assumed that Jadey, the gorgeous white and beige Maine Coon cat with the luxurious long, thick coat and the mesmerizing brilliant green eyes, must belong to someone. Over the years she sported several collars, but she promptly did away with them. I guess she has an independent streak. She is a very friendly cat. She greets me with a joyful meow and affectionately rubs against me each time she sees me. In summer, if I sit at one of the benches by the back door, she is not shy. She will snuggle up next to me. I delight in her friendship. One cold morning, when I opened the back door to take out the cat food, she walked in and sauntered through the main floor, as if she was considering living with me. I followed her as she leisurely sauntered through the kitchen, the formal dining room, then into the family eating area, and finally into the living room. She hesitated by the staircase, then changed her mind.
I was hoping she would consider living with me. I still had the litter box and all the paraphernalia that went with owning cats. I still had a supply of cat shampoo, towels, hairbrushes, and other necessities of owning cats. I was not at all fazed in giving her a home. But, as I said, Jadey was a free-spirited, independent cat. She turned around and walked to the back door and waited for me to open the door for her.
“I’m sorry you do not want to stay, Jadey,” I said regretfully as I let her out. She was just free-spirited. She would not be tied down.
Today is a cold Sunday morning. I thought I had better put the cat food out in case it started to snow. As I opened the door, there was Jadey, sitting on the stoop. She looked at me and uttered an accusatory meow, as if to say, “What took you so long? Do you realize it is cold and I am hungry?”
“Sorry! Sorry!” I said. Then I noticed that she was sporting a beautiful silver collar with little bells that chimed melodiously as she moved.
“Jadey, you are an enigma. Do you belong to a family, or do people just wish you to be a part of their family?” I asked. I bent down and caressed her head. She purred contentedly as she started to eat.
I wondered how long she would wear this collar before she lost it, as she did the ones in the past.