Memoirs of a Cat Named Mr. Riley T. Kitty

By Bob A. Jackson

Sometimes it’s funny and strange how things work out in life. There are small incidental thoughts, sayings, and actions that are around us every day that can turn out not to be so small after all. So, this brings up what planted that little seed to turn into a fictional story about this cat named “Mr. Riley T. Kitty”.
First, you need to know that I am (Bob A. Jackson, author of this book) a long, long time dog lover. When I was younger, I never could get close to a cat because as you know they run or ignore you unless they have a tie with someone, or they know and live with someone. They are very finicky with who they socialize with. Isolation does not mean much to them as long as they are not hungry, know they have a nice place to spend the night, and are not in pain from a street fight injury that they cannot sleep or rest.

I call Mr. Kitty many names among them are Mr. T., Riley T., Riley Kitty, and Mr. Riley. He recognizes all of them are about HIM. He came to us from a Hereford City Wide Garage Sale. My daughter noticed this kitty going through the people at the sale. A couple of hours later the same kitty was back doing what cats do….curiously looking for something interesting for them to get into. My daughter got this brilliant idea to put some milk out for the kitty. That was the small action that got the cat’s attention.

The next day I noticed they had gotten home from the eight-hour trip. Texas is a BIG state. They stayed out in the car, so I went to see if everything was all right. About the time I got to the car this kitty cat jumped into my daughter’s lap. I ask, “What is that?” My daughter said, “It’s our new kitty cat.” Well, so it was. When a name was being worked out my daughter insisted on the name Mr. Kitty. I did not like that name, so I came up with my own. For some reason. I came up with the name Riley named after a man on the old black and white television’s shows back then. The title of the show was “The Life of Riley”.

Several years go by and there is little contact with me and the cat. Then, one night out of nowhere, he jumps upon the bed and came over for me to pet him. That little action started a relationship that I never expected. He would have his evening routine around the house and then jump upon the bed for me to pet him. One time he jumped on the bed and immediately stopped to stare at something in the ceiling corner of the bedroom. His continued staring and had convienced me that something was really there. So, I asked him, “Riley, what do you see?”. He kept staring. The next day, I thought about that little staring episode and got to thinking, “Wouldn’t it be something if he could have told me about what he saw. A simple, little reaction that planted the seed for the writing of this book.

I wanted the book to be entertaining, as much humor as I could come up with, educational, and just a fun book for all ages to read and enjoy. I put in some different things like instead of giving chapters, I use a one work phrase that described that section. I came up with 15 or 16 situations where we talked about the incident. NOTE: All normal, not thicker, not darker font is me speaking. All the thicker, darker font is Riley’s thoughts and reactions. It took some deeper thoughts and imagination to deliver what I wrote about Riley. I do hope you enjoy reading it.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Xlibris US
• Release date: Feb 25, 2022
• ISBN: 9781669808404

Bob A. Jackson

Bob A. Jackson was born on April 2, 1948 in Clinton, OK. His family moved to Borger, TX. in 1950. He lived there for twenty years growing up in a carefree lifestyle. He has many fond memories of those days. It was a great time in our nation’s history. The war was over, jobs were plentiful, and families were growing in leaps and bounds. Bob’s educational experiences include Borger H.S. graduation in 1966, Frank Phillips College graduation A.A. degree in 1968, West Texas A & M University-Canyon, TX. B.S. degree in Industrial Technology Education-1970, Texas A & M University-Commerce, TX. M.S. degree in Guidance & Counseling-1975. Bob taught “at risk” students in Pampa I.S.D. for three years. This experience led him into wanting to be a high school counselor. A friend told him about a “Graduate Research Assistant” job in Commerce. This allowed him to work and go to college full time to get his Master of Science degree in Guidance and Counseling. When he graduated, he heard about a Vocational Counselor job in Plano I.S.D. He interviewed and was offered that job. He became a License Professional Counselor (L.P.C.) in May of 1982. This allowed him to open a part-time private practice while continuing his work full-time as a high school counselor in the Plano ISD school district. He was a counselor in Plano for 28 yrs. before he retired. His private practice specialties included drug counseling, adolescent behavior, and career counseling for all age levels. On December 30, 1970, he married Gwen Cargo. This coming December 30, they will celebrate 50 years of marriage. They have two grown children Samuel and Sara. Both Bob and Gwen are retired now. They have lived in Plano for 45 years.

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