Ride that Puppy

True story about Rusty the cat and a little trouble he got into.

Ride that Puppy

Written by T. L. O’Neal

 

    Our family cat is ole Rusty Boy, he’s a big orange Tabby and he’s an inside cat too and always has been for that matter. This was not by his decision of course, but it doesn’t mean that he doesn’t like fresh air or to take a look outside every now and then either. I think he probably would of liked it out there, because one time he snagged a bird that happened to land on the other side of the screen door while he was on the inside looking out. The door was just a little bit short at the bottom, then a wren landed on the top step and that was all it took. By the time we saw what was going on it was too late; he had that poor thing eaten in no time flat. He must have enjoyed it quite a bit by the way he gobbled it down. He also had plenty of opportunities catching mice in the house in the wintertime too; one week he killed eight of them. But he never required a taste for them though; he just enjoyed the hunt was all. Anyway, Rusty had this habit of lying in the open windows against the screen in the summertime. He really loved doing that and he would lie there in the window all daylong looking at birds, getting fresh air and taking in the morning sun too.

 

   On this one particular day he was in the window as usual, and he must of rolled over too hard or leaned on the screen a bit too much. Whatever the case was, that screen popped loose and out he fell into the yard. Unfortunately for him, the windows were very high from the ground and being an inside cat, he really didn’t know what to do about the situation or where to go either.

 

   At the moment we had two outside dogs and a couple of strays hanging around too, so you could say we had four dogs too many then. We started to hear a lot of barking and commotion on the other side of the house, so I went to the back of the house and looked out of the window and I saw those four dogs and a cat going to it. I was wondering where in the world that cat came from, and why was he out there fighting with those dogs. I said to myself, that’s one tough cat to be fighting four dogs, and he sure looks a lot like my Rusty too. Then I saw that screen had popped loose, and I went nuts after realizing that it was my cat out there doing battle with all of those dogs. So I ran to the backdoor as fast as I could go to try and save him, but by the time I got back there they were already chasing him around the house. I was too late at the back of the house, so I went screaming and running to the kitchen door as fast as I could go to cut them off at the pass.

 

  Then they came running around the corner of the house, and I kid you not, that cat was riding on the back of that Red Tick hound like a monkey at the circus. His eyes were a blazing with fear and his fur was standing up on end. The poor old cat had his fur puffed out so much that he looked like he was a chimney cleaning brush. Anyways, he was riding that dog with his claws and all fours drove into the dog’s back and holding on for dear life, while the other dogs were in hot pursuit and pulling up the rear. Those old dogs were having the time of their lives too, they were grinning from ear to ear like a possum eating a persimmon. The cat on the other hand wasn’t, he was stuck on the back of that dog like a cocklebur and right in the middle of all of the rest of them dogs too. It looked like a pure stampede of dogs a coming and I was going to meet them head on when they arrived. I was pretty sure that was the scariest that cat’s ever been; the vacuum cleaner doesn’t even touch this I bet.

 

    By now I was a nervous wreck and ran out of the kitchen door and started kicking dogs as hard as I could go, including the one that Rusty was riding on. I was right in the middle of it, kicking and screaming at dogs all the way around me. I would get one dog away and another would take his place and get right back into that ball of fur. Rusty finally let go of that dog he was riding on, and attached himself to the metal railing going up the kitchen steps. Now how he got out of that mess I’m not sure; but he’s a better man than me because I was still in the middle of it all and trying to get out myself. I kicked and pushed my way through that canine gauntlet as best as I could, and back to the kitchen porch. Rusty was still holding on for dear life with his fur standing on end and his eyes as big as saucers, he wasn’t about to let go. He was stuck on that rail like it was glue.

 

    At this instance my daughter Caroline came out; she couldn’t have been more than six at the time, and she wanted to help. I was still kicking them dogs off the steps and Rusty was still holding on for dear life, and now here comes Caroline going to try and get that cat. Caroline always was the helpful sort and at the same time always going in face first where any animals were concerned, it just wasn’t a good idea now. So I screamed to her to just let the cat be and to stay away from him, and that I would get Rusty. But she went face first and unafraid to get the cat and Rusty latched onto her face and head with his front claws while still holding on to the railing with his back ones. I was having a duck fit and trying to pull his claws out of her little face and head. He got her pretty good too and bless her heart she was going to have to get some stitches. She went on into the house and I managed to pull the cat off that rail and kept him at arms length of course from me, while I was still kicking dogs and finally got him back into the house.

 

    Caroline being a tough little girl in such matters wasn’t crying a bit, and when she found out about having to go get stitches, she thought it was pretty cool. I on the other hand was heartbroken. So off to the emergency room we went, Caroline, her mama and me. We set there for six hours or better to be seen; nothing like speedy service I always say. She didn’t seem to mind the wait too much; she enjoyed retelling the story to everyone there in the waiting room that would listen. All that about the cat riding the dog and the cat clawing her face, and that she was in a cat and dog fight and that the cat won. With each time she retold the story, she enjoyed telling it that much more. While we were sitting there I noticed in her little scalp a couple of claws that came off… still stuck in her head. Well this just gave her something else to add to her little story and she added it right into it very well. She seemed to be having the time of her life too, all considering of course. She was getting to be a regular storyteller and everyone there was having a good time listening to her tell them. Everyone in there was either sick or injured, but I like to think that it helped them feel a little better. It did help pass the time away anyhow.

 

    They finally did call us back after that long wait and cleaned up her wounds and were getting ready to sew her up, while the whole time she was telling her story again this time to the doctor. Each time it grew some more, the story that is. The doctor laid here back and gave her a shot to numb the area in her face. Now just like most kids, she didn’t like needles one bit, so she wasn’t too happy about that part of it. So when the doctor started to do the stitching up of her face, she turned her eyes and tried to watch it as best as she could. For some reason she found that fascinating to watch but it was still a little painful for her. The doctor finally finished it all up and put a big bandage on her face and this she though was neat looking too, and she wore that bandage with honor. It was a regular “Red Badge of Courage” to her. Everywhere we went she would retell the story about the cat riding the dog, stitches, the claws in her head and the whole bit.  And then she would want to show everybody her new stitches.

 

  That happened years ago and the story doesn’t come up that much now. But I can tell you one thing, Rusty never tries to venture outside anymore, he’ll stand at the door or look out the window every now and then, but that’s about as far as he’ll go.  

Reviews

[Otto L.n. Pipgras]

I really enjoyed this story, Terry. Your southern flair for finding humor in bad situations really comes through. Rusty...lol..I could see him riding that red tick hound...hah. The way you tell the story of how Caroline relished the retelling of the incident, makes me wonder if she too is a writer...good story-telling is in your genes. Again, I really liked this one =o)

[David P. Eckert]

Cool story. Every day life provides so many amazing things to remember, moments that we treasure, and that we can sit back and tell while relaxing before a fireplace, or any other place. It's great that you have so many good stories to pull out and put into print.

[Bubo]

I loved reading this although poor you,Caroline and Rusty!!I could picture the whole story in my head......including you chasing after Rusty and Rusty clinging to the back of a dog........shouldnt laugh,but it was funny!
Your words flow so well and I love your use of language!
Is Rusty still around??
Caroline sounds a brave soul.......and she obviously loved Rusty........well done and thanks for sharing!

[Bedlam The Gypsy]

As always, another hilarious and enjoyable story from you Terry! The scene plays before you like a school play, rich in the telling. In the background you can almost hear Caroline excitedly retelling her piece of the tale. And poor Rusty! lol That sounds like he's had enough excitement to last him the rest of his life! I wonder how he'd retell that tale! lol
I'd fix a few sentences in this piece, but other than that, your gift of storytelling shines once again.
As for the fixing- in the beginning you say "on this particular day" when it should perhaps be "on one particular day".

[John(agudwun)]

Terry, the masters of storytelling could have studied under you.
Steinbeck, Twain and others who pull us right in to the heart of
the action have this indefineable talent.
Old Rusty and his ride of terror will stay in my head for a long , long
time. I am greatful for this diversion from life`s classic winter.
Thank you !
My Rating: FIVE STARS and FAVORITE

[Kira Love]

Poor Rusty!! Poor Caroline!! LOL T., you have an incredible knack for story-telling! This is outstanding! Bravo on a fantastic write!

[Krystal Waters]

I loved this story and Rusty the cat! You had me laughing as I imaged that cat clinging on to the dogs back! LOL I don't know how you do it, but you have a great way of telling stories and mostly all are hilarious! I like your cat, the cat has spunk! Like a bull rider! LOL LOL