Tina Versus Trouble

Over three years ago, my husband was walking our pup, Tina, down the side of a busy road. He saw something move right beside the road. At first, he thought it was a mouse or small rat, but as he got closer he realized it was a kitten, too young to be away from its mother.

With no mother in sight, he picked the kitten up, brought it home and showed it to me and announced we can take it to the animal shelter as we were leaving on a car trip to Jacksonville. I took the kitten, so small it barely fit in my hand. Immediately, I told my husband the kitten was not going to the animal shelter, it was going on its first vacation.

Tina sat on her throne in the backseat of the car on top of two large pillows that put her window high. She is a great traveler. The little kitty laid asleep in the back seat the whole trip. That evening little kitty ate some dog food. I had brought a small amount of kitty litter left over from some project and turned over the bathroom trash can and put the kitty litter in it. The kitty went right in and knew exactly what to do.

Now, it has been over three years since kitty named Trouble became a part of our family. My husband named him since he says that cat has always been trouble from day one. I have been told that Trouble is a mackerel tabby. He is the color and has markings of a mackerel fish. The little handful of gray kitten now stands 17 inches tall, toes to nose and when he lays downs and stretches out he is 36 inches long.

Since he was raised with a dog, he thinks you are suppose to run to the door when we come home and still likes a little dog food. He is very smart and lets us, the dumb humans, know when he needs more dry cat food in his bowl by winding his body around our legs as we walk. He loves to drink water out of a dripping faucet and uses his paw to bring the water to his mouth.

Tina and Trouble live together and tolerate each other. Tina still rules the roost. She only has one tooth left. Trouble respects the old girl even though he is much bigger than her and enjoys running and jumping over the top of her. They are such fun for us.

Tina was found on the side of the road, too. Please, if you don’t want your pet, take it to the animal shelter and if you want a pet, go there also. Too many animals are left beside the road and never make it to a home.