Salmon Arm Friends

By Sheilah Land
Salmon Arm, BC

I am four years old and technically an adult feline, but because of my size, most people think I’m still a kitten. I am in charge and know exactly what’s happening in my domain. Sometimes my owner seems nervous … I hear it in her voice, so at those times I try to fluff myself up and rub against her legs, letting her know I am here if she needs me. She always responds by rubbing my silver fur gently and saying, “Gina, you are such a baby…” I know this act of affection always calms her.

Three days ago, my owner was speaking with a neighbour who had an animal on a leash at our door. I do not have a leash, so I approached the other animal cautiously. Her owner spoke to the animal quietly, calling her Marilyn. She had the biggest brown eyes shining very attractively against her white fur. That’s when I realized she was a dog not a cat. Thankfully, she stopped pacing momentarily to look directly at me. She was such a pretty dog, with a name fit for a movie star. We crept toward each other momentarily, our owners expressing surprise in their voices as they looked on. I could tell they approved by their tone.

Marilyn ventured forward, so we approached each other tentatively, touching noses! Hers was a dark button obvious against her white face, whereas mine is a squooshy nose, almost unnoticeable.

Suddenly, Marilyn dashed around behind her owner’s feet, and I just stopped dead in my tracks. What now, I wondered? Maybe I should approach her again, more gently. I wanted to be Marilyn’s friend.

Just then, Marilyn danced around in front of her owner wagging her tail and we touched noses again! That’s when I knew we’d become friends.

Returning later from one of her walks, Marilyn barked a loud “Hello!” right down the hall…. This talk of pandemic doesn’t really prevent making new friendships, but I guess we’ll have to self-distance for a while yet.

Salmon Arm Friends
Copyright © Sheilah Land, 2020