"Breakfast!," I called out, as I entered the garage through the inside door. I had left the outside door open over night to give Hobo access. I didn't have to call him twice. Hobo sauntered out from behind the car like a mechanic coming around to tell me my transmission needed replacing.

"Cream this morning, Hobo, as promised," I said, placing the dish on the floor. Well, the cream was a hit with Hobo. I got an extra head bang in appreciation. I was sitting on the step. He put his paws up on my leg and the next thing I knew, he was in my lap, leaning his heavy body against my chest. He started purring and I said, "My goodness, you are a sweetheart, aren't you."

Within a week, this tough bruiser of a cat, who bit my hand the first time I touched him, was flopping over at my feet for belly rubs, leaning up against my legs, and curling up in my lap every time I sat down. I had become his person and he was my fury orange shadow.

But I had another pet in the house who also needed my attention. Ginny was a medium size fawn-colored short hair mutt who appeared to be part Basenji. She was a sweet dog who loved to stroll with me along our neighborhood walking paths. I usually took her out in the evening. Hobo decided it would be great fun to join us. So every evening, the three of us set out for another adventure.

Have you ever seen the circus act where a horse trots around a ring and a little dog jumps up onto its back, then off again while it's still trotting? Hobo discovered that he could wander off the path and disappear into the distant shadows, come running up at a full clip, jump onto Ginny's back, then jump off the other side. It reminded me of that circus act. Hobo thought it was great fun. Ginny didn't like it one bit, but she was too sweet to do anything about it.

So now, Hobo owned us all. We were his family and it looked like he intended to keep us.
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Next time, Kitten, I'll tell you about Hobo's kitten days, the amazing gift he brought home to me, and his rugged love life. The story does not have a happy ending, not for me at least, but you can take comfort in knowing that Hobo was alive and well the last time I saw him.

Love you,
Grandpa
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Copyright 2007 PSAI Publications. All rights reserved.