TWENTY NEEDLES

Troy M. Sauve Fairbanks, JUNE 2011 I think I was 3 months old when John first took me to the puppy doctor. I always liked riding in the car, but somehow I knew this was going to be a different trip. And it was. I fought hard as he drug me into the vet office. There were lots of dogs, cats, and other creatures. It was noisy and it smelled funny. I was scared. Before I realized it, a needle pierced me left butt cheek, I tried to yell, and OUCH, another one stung me in the other cheek. I knew right then and there that I hated needles. I was never going to come back there. I was also convinced I no longer liked cars. Even after that traumatic experience as a puppy, my life was good. John was a good master. He would go to work and I would spend my time on the porch, frolicking in the yard and just being a dog. I could not have asked for anything more. I was loved. As I grew older, I realized I could dig. John had no idea I had dug a hole under the back corner of the fence. So, while he was working, I was exploring. Now Mrs. Mc Cafferty was an old woman who lived across the street. Each afternoon at about the same time she would put something in a dish on her porch. Every time she did this, she would look in my direction and raise her broom in the air. Her mouth moved, but I couldnt hear her words. Surely this was an invitation for me to come on over and help myself. I knew I was supposed to stay in my own yard and wait for John, but, the smell of that wonderful food was too much. I snuck under the fence through my secret hole I had so brilliantly dug and I headed over. Her gate was open. There was no doubt she left it open so I could enter at will. Yep. It was special food, and it was good!! So good!!! Old Mrs. McCafferty sure was nice to me. Over the next couple weeks John would go to work and I would wait patiently for Mrs.. Mc Cafferty to come out, put those wonderful morsels in the dish for me, raise her broom, and give me the sign. I would crawl through my secret hole and head across the street. John always said she was an old hag, but she was always nice to me, leaving me treats everyday like that. John always fed me good, but this was the greatest I had ever had. He didnt have a clue about her. She wasnt an old hag after all, I thought she was my best friend, even though she never gave me an ear skritchie or rubbed my belly. In fact, I had never actually seen her in person. She was always gone by the time I got to her house. One lonely afternoon I was lying on my porch as usual,. waiting for Mrs. Mc Cafferty. Sure enough, the broom was raised and I went for my treat. But, this time was different. When I got to her porch, there was a black cat waiting right next to my treat dish. I had never met a cat before, except for that time at the puppy doctor. Mrs. Mc Cafferty must

be a very nice lady. She feeds the cats too! I approached the porch to introduce my self to this new friend. The cats back went up, the ears became erect, and a terrible hiss came from her mouth. The piercing green eyes tore into my soul. I knew I was in big trouble. Maybe Mrs. McCafferty found a new friend, and I had better leave. As soon as I turned my back that insane cat was on my head. I closed my eyes and twenty needles dug deep into my nose. This was the worse day in my life, I thought, way worse than that puppy doctor time! I only hoped John would come soon to rescue me. I dared open my eyes for an instance, and there she was. It was Mrs. Mc Cafferrty with her broom. Surely she was going to save me from this menace of this possessed cat. BAMM! The broom hit me square on my ass, the cat ran in one direction, and I ran faster the other way. Back to my secret hole, and the sanctuary of my own yard. My nose was on fire, it itched terribly too!! .I sneezed and cried all the way home with my tail tucked deep under me. I wondered what I had done to deserve this misery. I was okay after a day or two, and John was none the wiser. But, I sure was!!!!!! I mostly stay on the porch now and wait for John. Sometimes I will bark at the mailman, and even the occasional kid on their bike. I still dont like needles or cars, and I am 100% sure I dont like cats either Maybe some little old ladies are okay, but, I will never again trust a cat. A white car came over by Mrs. McCafferty a few weeks ago. It had flashing lights on the top and made a terrible noise that hurt my ears. Since then Mrs. McCafferty didnt come on the porch anymore, and I hadnt seen the cat either, not that I really cared about that black mongrel, but I miss the little old lady. She seemed nice. I wondered where she went. I always hoped she and that evil cat knew that meant no harm that day, I only misunderstood.

The moral of the story: Stay in your own yard. Dont mess with little old ladies! And no matter what!!!! Dont mess with a cat or its food!!!!