Hello everyone.
Today’s guest post has been sent in by Cat who would like to tell us the story of how Dodger became a cat icon.
Dodger dropped into our lives one bone chilling night fifteen years ago, a hypothermic skeleton covered with black fluff. We lived on the periphery of the city at that time. It wasn’t long before a highway was built behind our house and a tall sound wall was constructed at the property line.
Following one especially riotous weekend night of sirens and auto pursuits, Dodger was dumped over the sound wall, just before Thanksgiving Day. I heard him, a terrified mewling from the backyard.
Wrapped in my winter gear and with a flashlight in hand, I ventured outside to seek the source of the terrible caterwauling.
The sound emanated from beneath the mini-barn in our backyard.
A green-eyed kitten, puffed and hissed as the beam from my flashlight stroked his fur. He jumped back into the dank depths escaping my reach, and that’s where he lived, for a while.
For two days I coaxed him with food, until he finally emerged with all the rancor of a hungry mountain lion, unapproachable and wild. Eventually, a kinship developed between us, until one day, Dodger became family.
Two years later, fed up with city encroachment, we moved to quiet solitude in the mountains.
Not quite barn cat, nor a lap cat, Dodger exists in his own catundrum straddling two worlds, wild versus tame.
To Dodger, living in the mountains is heaven on earth!
Like the legendary Saint Patrick, Dodger banished snakes from our new land.
He duelled with a murder of crows and lived to tell the tale.
When neighbouring dogs and cats threw down the gauntlet, Dodger calmly took it up. With one swipe of his razor sharp claws, the confrontation was over before it hardly began, the challenger slinking away with its tail between its legs.
One morning, as Dodger made his pre-dawn rounds, a sassy white tail flicked enticingly, and then another . . . and another. He stumbled and gasped in disbelief. The land was covered with brown, Cottontail rabbits of every size, grazing and hopping.
Could one cat stop the furry plague from invading his realm?
“Realm?” The idea began to take shape in his mind.
It was Sunday, a blessed day of rest after a long night of cleaning out pesky mice, wrangling raccoons and dodging carousing coyotes.
Dodger rested atop his favourite stump in majestic repose, puffed against the dawn’s biting chill and squinting at the rays of the rising sun. Mist rose from the ground, fogging everything with fuzzy pink hues.
A sleek, long-legged beauty with doe eyes, roaming the fringes of the day, paid him court.
The deer was enchanting. Dodger was mesmerized.
When the magical moment passed, Dodger realized he had finally conquered the wilderness.
He was king of the outdoors and all things wild!
There’s something about Dodger . . . his adventures make great cat stories!
When you visit CatsStories.com you will see a cat icon in your browser tab and a row of the same cat icon in the website header. Originating from Dodger’s portrait, the cat icon retained all the emotion of the portrait.
A special recipe for Black Cat Cookies was developed, based on Dodger’s cat icon; they are delicious!
Now, Dodger’s cat icon piques cat loving visitor’s curiosity and draws them in . . . soon they are lost . . . in a cat story!
About the Guest Author
Dodger is the inspiration for CatsStories.com. Author of the Road Trip Explore! series, Cat McMahon is a wordsmith who enjoys outdoor discovery, culinary explorations, her cats and making memories with her family.
When she’s not in the kitchen cooking up mouthwatering recipes for GlutenFreeHomemade.com, she’s on the road photographing nature’s amazing wonders for RoadTripExplore.com.
Cat McMahon lives with her family in a craggy wilderness off the slopes of the Cascade Range in the Pacific Northwest, USA.
You can find Cat McMahon on: Facebook, YouTube, Twitter, Pinterest, Google+, Bloglovin, Amazon Author’s Central and GoodReads.
Links:
http://www.catsstories.com/
http://www.roadtripexplore.com/guide-book.html
http://www.glutenfreehomemade.com/
http://www.roadtripexplore.com/
Social Media:
https://www.facebook.com/catmcmahonsstories/
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC0IiBd8EKBuWSIpYqDRaCiw
https://plus.google.com/+CatMcMahon
http://twitter.com/catsstories
http://www.pinterest.com/Catsstories/
Book Links:
http://www.amazon.com/Cat-McMahon/e/B00CIXQ09W
http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/7068672
Thank you Cat for sharing his story.
If you want to send in your cat stories, just drop us an email at info@katzenworld.co.uk. Don’t forget to include some pictures.
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Thanks,
Marc
Reblogged this on Rattiesforeverworldpresscom.
Thank you ^^
Great cat tale! All the very to you and gorgeous Dodger
I’m delighted you enjoyed this story about Dodger. I don’t think he’s ever thought about himself as being “gorgeous” before, but he sure loves the admiration! Purrs, Cat McMahon
Thank you so much for resharing Dodger’s story. I linked to it so others can enjoy it at, http://www.catsstories.com/black-cat-story.html. Purrs, Cat McMahon
You have written a wonderful piece . Hate how cruel humans can be!
<3
Dear Daisy, Thank you for the kind compliment. Dodger and I are happy you enjoyed his story. Like you, I can’t wrap my mind around the concept of how cruel humans can to each other, let alone to innocents like beautiful furry creatures; neither can Dodger. We’re so glad you love life! Purrs, Cat McMahon
Beautiful kitty. I’ve fed several that were half-feral and half-tame. They have trust issues all their lives, but you don’t love them any less.
I checked out your gluten free website. I’ll be following it. 🙂
Glad you enjoyed the guest post 🙂
Dear Daisy, Thank you for the kind compliment. I’m glad you enjoyed Dodger’s Story. Like you, I can’t wrap my mind around how humans can be so cruel to each other, let alone to beautiful furry creatures . . . neither can Dodger! The world is blessed to have someone like you who loves life so much. Purrs, Cat McMahon
Dodger’s been called “gorgeous” and now you call him “beautiful”! He used to think of himself as plain old “handsome”. Now, there will be no living with him! You’re right about the trust issues; I think because tame ferrals are so compromised we tend to love them more to make up for the previous deficiencies in their lives. They need lots more reassurance than normal. Thank you so much for being there for those cats who cross the path of your life. I’m looking forward to connecting with you over at GlutenFreeHomemade.com. Purrs, Cat McMahon
I try. 🙂
Lovely story and I am glad Dodger has a safe and happy home.
Thanks! ^^
You are very welcome.
Dear Eugenia, Thank you so much for letting us know how much Dodger’s story means to you. We’re privileged to be Dodger’s family and to take good care of him. He and I are pretty smitten with each other! Purrs, Cat McMahon
Dodger is quite the cat. Purrs to you.
Hi Eugenia, Yes, Dodger is quite a cat. Now that summer weather has arrived, he’s full of himself. This morning he strutted around the acreage his chest puffed out, letting the wildlife know he’s still king of his realm! His catitude is so amusing. Purrs, Cat McMahon
so cute, we had a cat for 18 years that looked exactly like this one, it was a black Norwegian Forest Cat.
I love Norwegian forest cats 🙂
Dear Taphian, For a handsome old man like, Dodger, being thought of as “cute” makes him want to strut his stuff like he did when he used to “tom cat” around! Norewegian Forest Cats are especially beautiful breeds, being black, even more so! Yes, I’m partial to black cats, but don’t tell Abby; she has a terrible jealous streak and can be quite unforgiving at times! You were very blessed to have your life graced by such a wonderful cat for 18 long years. Purrs, Cat McMahon
lol, thanks a lot for your nice words about cats, Cat McMahon. My cat was still cute when she was 18. For me all cats are cute.
Hi Taphian, You’re very welcome! Bottom line, I feel the same as you do about cats. Purrs, Cat McMahon
the nicest sound in the world is a cat purr
Indeed!
Glad to hear the kitty has a safe home now.
🙂
Dear Lavinia, Thank you so much for your kind concern. We’re glad Dodger is safe with us, too. I think the wildlife here think differently; they would like to be safe from him as he rules with an iron hand! Purrs, Cat McMahon
How can someone dump a little kitten over a fence. So happy that Dodger finally came around to you. What a guy!
That’s what I ask myself every time I hear such a story 🙁
Dear Lois, I’ve often pondered that same question. I don’t understand cruelty for abdicating responsibility that leads to abandonment. Fortunately, the world is filled with kind hearts and I’m glad you’re one of them. We’re happy Dodger is with us, too. Yes, he’s quite a guy! Purrs, Cat McMahon
I am glad Dodger found a great family.
So are we 🙂 I line happy endings ^^
Thank you for such a kind compliment. I’m so glad Dodger found us, too! He’s been such a blessing in our lives. Purrs, Cat McMahon
Dodger is lovely, beautiful, and handsome. Thank ufor sharing ur story. Awesome
Glad you like this one. 🙂
Dear Linda, Dodger’s purrs just turned into rumbles; he’s soaking up all that cat lovin’ praise! It’s my pleasure to share about Dodger with you. Knowing we somehow made the world a better place for someone, even for a moment, makes our day a happy one. Purrs, Cat McMahon
Great story. That’s one cat who demands respect. 🙂 — Suzanne
Hehe 🙂
Dear Suzanne, We’re tickled you enjoyed our story. There’s no doubt Dodger is king of his realm! Purrs, Cat McMahon
Fortunate it was your wall he was unceremoniously tossed over. There are no accidents! Thank you for following my blog!
Glad you like our blog. We have a whole lot of different people posting btw 🙂 guest posts are always welcome. ^^
Like you I don’t believe in fate, more like divine appointments. Sometimes things are meant to be. For Dodger and me, it was love at first sight! Purrs, Cat McMahon
Dear Marc and the rest of the gang at Katzenworld Blog, Thank you so much for publishing Dodger’s story. I’ve enjoyed our budding new friendship and look forward to many wonderful things to come in the years ahead. In the meantime, Dodger and I wish you all the success in the world! Kindest regards, Cat McMahon and Dodger
You are welcome 🙂 and looking forward to your next story. ^^
Such a beautiful cat and his story thank you for sharing this with us
You are welcome 🙂
I’m so glad you enjoyed getting to know Dodger. Purrs to you!