The first clue was pretty harmless. A scratching sound and a soulful "Meow" that didn't come from the neighbor's cat who normally hangs out on our front porch. The sound was from up and behind me. Repeated a couple of times to really get our attention. A quick look and it appeared that someone's stupid cat was on our roof. JUST GREAT Someone's cat is on the roof and will probably tear up the roof tiles which aren't that old. Gotta be that the neighbors have another cat. Ignore him. He'll go away. RIGHT!

Later, I asked the neighbor to disengage her cat from our roof. "Not My Cat". Okay. We can handle this. The cat will go home and everything will be normal. A house with 2 Rottweilers has all the fur power that's needed at one time.

Somehow, someway, I was hypnotized into petting (shudder) and then actually feeding the orange furball from the roof. Found that the story behind his appearance on our roof was all too familiar. His owners moved and left him and the family dog behind. Cast away! The dog was adopted by other neighbors and the cat was fending for himself by eating the leftovers from the various meals of the neighborhood dogs and cats.

"I'll see if I can find him a home." Yes, I actually said this to my husband. While saying this, I am busy making a shelter for the stupid cat from the roof. Gotta go to the pet store anyway. Might as well get some catfood. And a cat treat. And a cat toy. And....

Can't have him hanging around without knowing he's had all the cat shots and whatever else you do with a cat. Trip to the Vet. $$$$$$

Can't keep calling him "Stupid Cat". Okay, his name is ROOF. His new owners (when we find them) can rename him. ARE YOU LAUGHING AT ME?

Now we have "CAT STUFF" in the house. Bowls and toys and things that are scaled down for the size of a 9lb cat. There's even blush catnip around.

In the 5th decade of my life, I have the "unthinkable" running around here. A 9lb cat that doesn't SIT, STAY, DOWN or HEEL. He swats the dogs on the nose. (no claws extended)and joins them in eating out of the same bowl. He won't take a chewie like the dogs (this confused my poor husband so much)and he doesn't bark at the doorbell. He snores and fluffs you when sleeping. He blends in with the kitchen tile or hides under the kitchen table on the chairs. He gets behind things that I never think to check. In short--he ain't a dog.

I will now admit that I like the STUPID CAT. He's warm and friendly and totally different from anything I've had before. Homefinding has ended. He's here to stay and I'll just have to find someone that speaks CAT.

ROOF has a home now. And like all the pets that have enriched my life, I will do the best I can for him. Food, water, warmth and medical care. And as much love as I can show him.