by Patricia Fry
“Not only will they have a chance at a longer life than when they were living in the ravine,” Nola said, “but they’ll be healthier and less stressed.”
As they walked through the outdoor facility, Luke pointed. “Those are wild cats?”
“Feral, yes,” Nola said, walking alongside June, who was operating her motorized scooter.
Luke shook his head in disbelief. “Gosh, this is really something. They don’t look like they’ve had a hard life.” He turned to Michael. “Do you think my cats could look this good if they lived in a safe place like this?” He turned to Nola and June. “Do you have room for more cats?” Before anyone could answer, he asked, a worried look on his face, “What if they don’t get along with each other?”
June smiled. “There seems to be enough room here for everyone. If a couple of them have a grievance, they can simply avoid each other.” She explained, “To answer your first question, yes, we take in other feral cats and we rescue colonies when it’s in the cats’ best interest. Nola, show Luke the holding area, would you?” She added, “Savannah, you might find it interesting, too. Dr. Mike has seen it a time or two during his house calls.”
“Come this way,” Nola invited. She stopped in front of a large pen separate from the outdoor enclosure. “All new cats stay here, isolated from one another, until they’ve been checked over by Dr. Mike and his staff, given the necessary inoculations, and spayed or neutered. It also gives us the opportunity to evaluate them for socialization. We have volunteers who work with those who are good candidates for adoption.”
“Like Sunbeam,” Luke said.
“Yes,” June said, joining the others, “and Fluffy. Savannah, do you remember Fluffy? She used to come to the back door for food.”
“Yes,” Savannah said. “She was that raggedy grey cat.”
June pointed and grinned. “Not anymore.”
“Oh my gosh,” Savannah said, watching as a striking cat with beautiful shiny fur walked up to her. She kneeled. “This is Fluffy? My gosh, she’s gorgeous.” She shaded her eyes and looked up at June and Nola. “You’re doing wonders here—creating miracles.”
June chuckled. “Oh, I don’t know about that…”
“It’s an awesome place,” Luke said. “How many cats do you have?”
June turned to her assistant. “What’s the count, Nola? You keep track of the figures.”
“Eight inside and fifteen outside…and counting,” she said. “We’ve placed five, so far, in forever homes. They were early-season kittens who decided they wanted to be friendly.”
“This is awesome,” Luke said. “I’d sure like to see my cats living here. Do you have room for nine more?”
June nodded. “I think so. Nola and I would love to meet your nine cats.”
Savannah took his arm. “Nine, plus however many kittens those two produce.”
“Oh that’s right. We’re expecting kittens.”
“Yes, they’re welcome too, and the first thing we’ll do, young man, is to have the cats neutered and spayed,” June said sternly.
“Why?” he challenged.
June looked the young man in the eye. “Do you wish for more cats to come into the world that nobody wants to care for?”
“But you’ll care for them,” he said.
June smiled. “Luke, do you have any idea how many cats are out there already, waiting for us to find them? Many of them starving, dying, having more kittens? The humane thing to do is to help those who are here and do our best to keep them from bringing more into their plight. All cats should be in a loving home, don’t you think so? Already, there are not enough homes to go around. Why, the latest statistics show that there are seventy million stray cats in the United States. Even though there are anywhere from five thousand to over ten thousand animal shelters nationwide—depending on the source—still more than a million adoptable cats are euthanized each year because there are simply more cats than there are homes or space for.” June repeated for emphasis, “Over a million adoptable cats. Now that’s just not acceptable, do you think? And we sure don’t want to contribute to that number and to any cats’ suffering.”
Luke stood, silent. He stared down at the ground and spoke quietly, “I didn’t know there were so many homeless and unwanted cats. So that’s why it’s so important to spay and neuter cats. Now I get it.” He glanced at Michael. “Dr. Mike and Savannah tell me I need to think ahead more. You really get a different picture when you do that.”
June glanced at the Iveys, then focused on the boy. “Yes, that’s part of becoming an adult, Luke. A very important step.”
“Okay, how do we get the cats here?” he asked.
“We have a crew who are trained in trapping ferals. We’ll have them bring the cats here for evaluation and treatment. They’ll be in quarantine until we’re sure they’re not carrying a communicable disease and we’ll isolate the pregnant females from the rest until they’ve given birth and while they’re nursing.”
“I can help with all that,” Luke offered. “The cats know me. Strangers might frighten them.”
“Certainly,” June said. She looked at Nola. “Do you think he would be a good fit for…?”
Before she could finish, Nola said, “Yes. I know what you’re thinking.” She turned to Luke. “Young man, how would you like a job here?”
“Boy, would I?” he said enthusiastically. “I’ll do anything you want—clean litter boxes, whatever. Yes, I’d like that.”
Savannah glanced at Luke, then June and Nola. “He has some unfinished business he must tend to first, don’t you, Luke?”
“What?” he asked, frowning.
“You need to contact your family,” Michael said quietly. “And there’s the question of your education. I’m pretty sure your grandmother will want you to finish school and that’s what Savannah and I would advise, as well.”
“Most certainly,” June said sternly. “That will be a stipulation. How old are you, anyway?”
“Sixteen and a half,” he said, staring down at his feet.
“I’ll need permission from your parents to employ you,” June explained.
“They’re dead. I live with…I mean, I used to live with my grandparents.”
“Okay, then your guardian. And I want a promise that you’ll finish your schooling. Why, you can go to school right here in Hammond,” she suggested.
When Michael saw Luke stiffen and glance to his left, then his right, he put one hand firmly on the boy’s shoulder. “No more running, Luke. If you want to make it in this world and be free to do the things you want to do—important things to help the cats—you’ll have to man up. Now just relax and let’s talk about this.”
Savannah addressed June. “I’d like to suggest an alternative to a traditional school.”
“What?” Luke asked, suspiciously.
“Well, I’m not sure yet what your options are, but I have a friend who’s a teacher. I can check with her about maybe tutoring you. An education and a diploma are important, Luke, to your future.”
When the boy seemed uncomfortable with the direction the conversation was going, Michael said to him, “I have a few questions for you.”
“What?” Luke asked suspiciously.
“What do you see yourself doing in, say, five years, when you’re twenty-one and ten years, when you’re in your thirties?”
“Um, I never thought about it.” After a moment, he said, “I like music. I can play the piano pretty good and a couple of other instruments. My dad was a musician. Maybe I could be a musician or I can teach music like my grandmother does.”
“Then you would probably need additional schooling once you finish high school,” Michael suggested.
“Or, you could find a mentor who can work with you and prepare you for a career as a music teacher,” Savannah said.
June nodded. “Yes, in a private school, perhaps. But whatever you want to experience and enjoy in life, Luke, the Iveys
are right, an education is key. You may not have to go to a four-year college. Some young people find other ways to live their dreams. There are trade schools, and as Savannah suggested, mentors, and good old on-the-job experience.”
Nola chimed in, saying, “And online schools. As a matter of fact, I know people who simply entered the industry they were interested in on the bottom rung, you might say, and worked their way up to the position they wanted. But close your mind to education, Luke, and you’re making a huge mistake. There are many ways to get an education and to live your dreams, but you have to be open to learning and to the opportunities that come your way.” She took a deep breath before saying, “My opportunity came while I was in jail.”
“What?” Luke said, his eyes wide.
She chuckled. “Well, I was arrested when I tried to help a cat and her kittens. Dr. Mike and I saved the cat and most of the kittens, so it was worth it. And while I was in jail, June came to me with an offer to work for her.” She spun around, her arms out. “And look at where I am now—in my absolute dream job.” She kneeled down and petted a large brown-and-white cat, saying, “I get to mingle with the likes of you, huh, Dodger?”
“Gosh, I guess I should be more—what did you say—open-minded?” Luke said. “I really wasn’t thinking about anything except my fear of facing a classroom full of bullies. Yeah, maybe there is another way to get an education and to find work I would like to do.”
Michael chuckled. “Uh-huh. You can’t borrow things from the neighbors forever.”
Luke grinned sheepishly.
“Okay, first things first,” June said. “Let’s start the trapping immediately. Luke, Nola will introduce you to our trapping team and you can go with them to set the traps. Then I want you to contact your family. Let me talk to your grandmother. Bring her here or have her call me—either way.”
He smiled. “I’ll bet she’d love to come out here; she has a houseful of cats.”
“Really?” June said smiling. “Is she from around here?”
“Mason.”
“What’s her name, Luke?” June asked.
“Carmen. Carmen Fletcher.”
June’s face brightened into a wide smile. She leaned back and looked into Luke’s face. “You’re Carmen’s grandson? Well, how about that?”
Obviously surprised, Luke said, “You know my grandmother?”
I sure do. She’s a wonderful woman.” She frowned. “Good lord, boy, she must be worried sick about you. Shame on you for putting that beautiful person in such pain,” she scolded.
“How…?” Luke asked weakly.
“How do I know her? She’s one of our donors. As soon as she learned about what we’re doing here, she came forward and donated from her heart. I met her when she was part of a tour of the facility. Your handsome brothers were with her.” She peered up at him. “Now I know why you look familiar to me. You certainly resemble those strapping boys.” She grimaced. “Once we get some meat on you, you’ll be just as strapping.” She looked into his eyes. “How could you leave that family, Luke?”
When he didn’t respond, Savannah said, “He marches to a different drummer, June.”
The elderly woman addressed Luke again. “Well, you call Carmen today, you hear? Right after you set those traps.” She thought for a moment, then said, “Better yet, get yourself over there and see her in person. The first thing she’s gonna want from you is a hug. Then come back here and you can start work as soon as you get her permission.”
“Thank you,” Luke said, tears in his eyes. He started to walk away, then turned, leaned over, and hugged June. “Thank you.”
“Oh, never mind with that,” June said. “Just take care of business, will you? And hurry back. We have cats that need tending.”
“Yes, ma’am,” he shouted as he raced to catch up with Nola.
“Have them drop you off at our house after you set the traps, Luke,” Michael called. “We’ll give you a ride over to Mason.”
The boy nodded before sprinting off behind Nola.
Stay in touch with Patricia Fry, author of the Klepto Cat Mysteries
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Other books in the Klepto Cat Mystery series
Catnapped (Book 1)
When Savannah Jordan agrees to help her aunt while she recovers from a broken foot, she doesn’t expect to walk into a mystery, become part of a not-quite-legal surveillance team, be kidnapped by a deranged stranger and meet a steaming hot veterinarian.
Beloved neighborhood cats are missing—the community can only guess at their fate—and Aunt Margaret’s life is being threatened. Is it because she has a clue to the missing cats or is it something more sinister? Of course, as in all of the Klepto Cat Mysteries, Rags, an ordinary cat with a most unusual habit, has a paw in saving the day.
If you like light mysteries with only a little terror, if you’re infatuated by interesting cats and if you love a love story, you must read this book.
Available at Amazon.
Cat-Eye Witness (Book 2)
Savannah and Aunt Margaret open the old Forster home to the Hammond Cat Alliance for a fundraiser to help rehabilitate the abused horses rescued months earlier from the catnappers.
Before the afternoon is over, the collected funds go missing and someone is murdered in an upstairs bedroom.
Suspicion surrounds Iris, a local waitress and Savannah’s new best friend. The only witness to the murder is Rags, Savannah’s cat. With the assistance of a cat psychic and Rags’s good friend, Charlotte (the young girl with Downs), the cat helps to “paw” the killer… but not before an attempt is made on Rags’s life. The case is solved only after Rags comes face-to-face with the killer for the second time.
Detective Craig Sledge is new to this book, as is Damon, Iris’s errant son. Sledge finds this to be one of the muddiest cases he has ever worked, with inconsistent clues and no apparent motive. He’s constantly surprised, perplexed and impressed by the cat’s uncanny ability to come up with clues he has missed. His fascination with the attractive Iris Clampton also mystifies the detective.
In this story, one of the rescued horses goes into labor and there’s a night of high drama at the ole corral as veterinarians Savannah and Michael work to save the foal. This experience renews Savannah’s deep interest in horses and riding, which ultimately serves to help her bond with a very important surprise character who finds his way into her life and Michael’s just as they prepare to say their wedding vows.
While Rags is the animal star, he isn’t the only animal featured in this story. Layla is back in all of her tangerine feline beauty. And Rags makes friends with Buffy, a perky almost Himalayan cat and the inseparable duo, Walter, an all black cat and his sidekick, Lexie, a charming Afghan mix dog. Savannah’s new ride, Peaches, also debuts in this story. An incident with this mare adds another dimension to Savannah’s and Michael’s relationship. Can he hold her with open arms?
Some say this is a love story with a mystery in the background. And it’s a story of family and friendship as newlyweds Margaret and Max continue to be a meaningful part of Savannah’s and Michael’s world.
Available at Amazon.
Sleight of Paw (Book 3)
In this story, Michael Ivey, the local veterinarian (Savannah’s new husband) is attacked by an enraged client and then later accused of this man’s murder. The evidence quickly stacks up against Michael, until Rags, Savannah’s kleptomaniac cat, starts digging up clues implicating the unlikely suspect.
Coinciding with the details of this challenge is the discovery that the old house, which the couple purchased from Savannah’s aunt, is cursed. Is this why the couple has not been blessed with a child?
Savannah’s sister Brianna comes for a visit. She teams up with the Iveys’ vet tech, Bud, to discover how to break the gypsy spell a
nd they fall hard for each other. Will their courtship be strengthened or weakened by a frightening carjacking incident?
Detective Craig Sledge is prominent in this story as the lead investigator in the murder case. As usual, he engages in some creative tactics to get the information and the confessions he’s after. He has also become embedded in Savannah’s friend, Iris’s family. He’s dating Iris and helping with her son, Damon’s rehabilitation in prison. If you read the 2nd in the series, you know that Rags (the cat) helped to put Damon in jail.
Available at Amazom.
Undercover Cat (Book 4)
A popular local journalist goes missing just before she has the opportunity to turn in her story exposing unscrupulous cat hoarders. Not only is Colbi a friend of Savannah’s and Michael’s, Damon (now out of prison and employed by the local newspaper) has a strong personal interest in her. In fact, Damon breaks some rules and some trusts in his search for Colbi.
Is this a love connection? It’s doubtful because Colbi is a strong advocate for the feral cat population and Damon hates cats—or so he believes.
Colbi’s rescue is almost too late. She needs time to heal both physically and emotionally. So the Iveys invite her to recuperate in their home. Just when Colbi begins to feel safe, a body is discovered in the Iveys’ orchard and Rags (their kleptomaniac cat) goes missing. Can someone in a nearby homeless camp shed some light on the evolving mystery?
Available at Amazon.
The Colony Cat Caper (Book 5)
Savannah Ivey, a veterinarian out on maternity leave; her aunt Margaret, the founder of the Hammond Cat Alliance; and Colbi Stanton, a reporter for the local newspaper take on a cat colony at an old, abandoned building. Odd activity around the place makes them wonder if it actually is vacant; some believe it’s occupied by something other-worldly.
When a stranger comes to town and suggests the Alliance open the old building to a fund-raiser, everyone gets involved, including Rags, Savannah’s kleptomaniac cat. He finds something that day that stirs a lot of people—both law-abiding and crooks—into action. Are the feral cats and their caretakers in serious danger? What (or who) lurks inside the old building? What secrets does it hide? And who has the key that unlocks the mystery?