The day that we almost had a cat

So last week, as Lagniappe and I were driving back from our extended trip down south, I happened to stop at a small gas station in Yemassee, South Carolina. I just needed gas and coffee, but we came very close to coming away with a cat as well.

As I gassed up, I noticed a cute little yellow cat going from person to person at the pumps. Now I don't care for cats, and Lagniappe really doesn't care for cats, but when this one walked up to me as I went into the station and rubbed up against my legs, I couldn't help but pet it and wonder why it was out here all by itself. It felt clean and seemed to be well-fed, but the lady inside the gas station said "that cat don't belong to nobody." I walked out, petted it again, then got in the van and drive off. And Lagniappe apparently knew what I was thinking, because he was looking at me as if to say: "don't do it!"

I was thinking about it hard. I felt sorry for the cat. Every animal needs a home. Maybe I could get one of my friends to adopt it. Heck--I know people who have cats; maybe I could have a cat. And I've been meaning to get Lagniappe a pet of his own so that he'll have company when I'm gone.

But I don't know the first thing about having cats.

So here's where I insert my apology to all of my cat-having friends whose phones rang at like 7AM on that Saturday morning. I needed advice. There was a cat at stake. But alas, none of those heartless bastards answered.

But I decided to go back and grab the cat regardless. I have a long history of doing this with stray dogs so how hard could a cat be? They just need cat food and a litter box, right? And I'm sure that given time, even Lagniappe would come to like the cat. After all, it was so nice and friendly.

So I turned around, went back to the gas station, and spotted the cat. But now the cat that was so friendly just five minutes ago wouldn't come anywhere near me. I must have chased that cat around for another ten minutes without being able to get within twenty feet of it. WTF? Talk about your Jekyll-and-Hyde personalities. THIS is why I don't like cats.

I finally had to give up and leave it behind. I do hope that it has a home nearby but if you're passing through Yemassee, South Carolina on I-95, check that gas station right off to the east side of the exit for a little yellow cat. If it's still there and you want a cat...