Tales from the Home Again

By Holly Desvignes

“Tales” are stories from a cat rescue shelter. Life goes on from a human standpoint, but there is a second secret life that involves only the cats. These stories are told more from their perspective, which is quite different than the people realize!

• Language: English
• Publisher: LifeRich Publishing
• Release date: Mar 11, 2020
• ISBN: 9781489728036

Holly Desvignes

Holly Desvignes has enjoyed working with children all her life. She's also loved being around animals, always having some species in her life. After graduating from Moody Bible Institute, she worked in broadcasting, then became a mother of four. Her love for children and animals continued. She owned different animals through the years, many of them rescues, and also worked with children in schools, churches and camps. Then she got a job at a rescue shelter. Perfect! The idea for the "Home Again" books was born.

Book preview

Tales from the Home Again

This is a collection of eleven stories based on the characters, feline and human, involved with the Home Again. The characters and plots record separate incidents but are intertwined and progressive, so they should be read consecutively, like a book. The stories are based on both reality and fantasy, depicting life at a shelter, with the added dimension of the cats’ input, which includes communicating, understanding, and resolving situations.

1

Arrival of Butterscotch

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T here was a new arrival at the Home Again. All the cats crowded onto the top shelf of the counter to peer out the window as Miss Janet lifted the carrier out of her car.

I heard Miss Patsy say it was a tom, purred Shawna as they pushed each other to get a better view.

Yes, he is. His name is Butterscotch, said Gracie, her usually mellow voice nearly a growl. She was the one in charge and resented any intrusion from newbies.

"Ooh, he’s cute!" chirped Chrissy. She was the youngest and thought every tom was cute, as long as he didn’t have mange. But Butterscotch actually was a handsome cat, white with orange patches over one eye, both shoulders, and the very tip of his tail.

Here they come! called Gracie. Positions, girls!

All six cats jumped down from the counter and moved into their places by the food bowls or climbing tree, casually cleaning themselves as they kept one eye on the door.

Miss Janet banged her way in, juggling door, purse, and carrier. Whew! she said, setting Butterscotch down.

The girls kept their eyes averted, ignoring the activity and noise, as they usually did. Only Chrissy glanced over, surreptitiously sliding her gaze, trying not to move her head.

Well, Butterscotch, Miss Janet said, opening the carrier door, you’re home! Here’s our newest family member, ladies!

Only then did Gracie casually turn her head a little, showing she wasn’t that interested. Butterscotch wasn’t too eager to come out. After a few moments, he stuck his nose out, but then he pulled it back in.

Come out whenever you want, kitty, Miss Janet said softly and gently to the carrier door. I’ll leave it up to you. The phone on the desk rang, and she stepped over to pick it up.

Chrissy couldn’t sit still any longer. She ran over to the carrier but quickly skidded to a stop before reaching the open door. She backed up slowly, shaking her head a little. Phew! she exclaimed and bumped into Nadia, one of the triplets, who was also inching toward the carrier.

What’s the matter? she hissed into Chrissy’s ear.

That is definitely a weird smell! Chrissy whispered back.

Nadia sneezed and said, It is! at the same time.

The strange odor was becoming more noticeable, and soon all the cats were turning to look at the offending carrier, even Gracie. Only Miss Janet was oblivious, still on the phone talking to someone about an adoption.

With a swing of her head, Gracie motioned to all the cats to back away from the carrier, so they did. Nadia and Winken, one of her sisters, strolled over to her. What do you want us to do, Gracie? they asked.

Ignore him, she answered.

Ignore him! Winken exclaimed. But why?

He smells awful, Gracie answered.

For how long? Nadia chimed in.

For as long as he’s here, Gracie replied simply. Since this was a no-kill shelter, that could be a long time. Nadia and Winken sat there with their mouths hanging open. Then Blinken, the third triplet, joined them, as did Chrissy and Shawna.

What did she say? asked Blinken, unaccustomed to seeing her sisters sitting so still.

She said to ignore him, Nadia said.

And for as long as he’s here, Winken added.

Well, he does smell pretty bad, Chrissy said.

Yeah, Shawna chimed in. "What is it?"

They all shook their heads to a chorus of Not sure, Don’t know, and No idea. Then they were quiet again. Butterscotch hadn’t come out of the carrier yet, and Miss Janet was still on the phone.

Chrissy was first to break the silence. Glancing covertly at Gracie, she said, Maybe we should check with the Queen.

A murmur ran through the group. The Queen, as they called her, was Olivia, the oldest cat at Home Again, even though Gracie had been there longer. The Queen was very wise and very respected, the cat guru on top of the mountain. She rarely spoke, but when she did, everyone listened, even Gracie.

Let’s wait and see what happens the next few days, Shawna said. Everyone nodded their agreement. It was no small thing to ask the Queen’s advice.

The next day went by with no change. Butterscotch finally came out of his carrier, so the strange smell was even stronger. Gracie made sure everyone ignored him. Miss Janet and Miss Patsy were perplexed.

Why do they all ignore him? they kept asking each other. And of course, they had no answer.

After a week or so, it was Nadia who approached Chrissy. Do you still think we should ask the Queen what to do? This is awful. And Butterscotch seems so sad.

Chrissy sighed, knowing the risk of offending Gracie, but said, I think it’s time. You go.

Me? Nadia squeaked. Why? I’ve never talked to her! I’ve never even gone into the back room!

The back room was where Olivia lived most of the time, rarely coming out front. She lay curled up on her blanket up on the countertop next to the heater.

Chrissy understood Nadia’s fear, You can do it, she encouraged Nadia. Just go when Gracie isn’t looking. Don’t worry about it. You’ll be fine.

Why don’t you go? Nadia asked.

You’ll do better, Chrissy said, without any other explanation.

Nadia was nervous—very nervous—but she knew someone had to go. Something had to be done! So she waited, watching Gracie carefully. As soon as she began to eat her breakfast, Nadia made her move. Slowly, softly, she crept toward the doorway leading into the back room. Fortunately, Gracie paid no attention to her. Once she was in the back room, she breathed a sigh of relief and then realized she now faced her real task: asking the Queen for help. How should she even address her? Thinking for a moment, she called out softly toward the far end of the counter, where Olivia slept, or lay, most of her days.

Miss Queen? she called. Queen Olivia?

There was only silence. Nadia began to worry. Had she offended her? Had Olivia heard her? Then she saw a head lift and turn toward her. Yes?

Ma’am, Nadia said, her voice quivering a bit. We have a problem.

Does it have something to do with the smell of the new cat? Olivia asked.

Nadia was struck dumb. How did she know that? She hadn’t even left her blanket