Samuel

Over the past 23 years we have lived in Lebanon, Missouri, we have been blessed to have shared our lives with 27 cats, 1 dog, 3 hermit crabs, 4 beta fish, several gold fish and catfish.  Each are special and have their own special place in our hearts.    

One hot summer evening Steve chose Samuel from a litter of kittens.  His beautiful short black tabby stripes shined in the evening light.  Samuel’s cute little black tail stood straight up in the air making him irresistible.  Steve just could not leave without Samuel that night.  As we rode home in the van all Samuel did was mew.  “Meow, meow, meow, and meow!” loudly proclaimed Samuel.  It was as if he were saying, “Where am I going?  Who are you?  I am so excited!”  All the way home for 15-20 minutes there was a constant mew!

We petted and held Samuel and loved on him.  When it was time to go to bed, he just kept mewing.  Finally he shut up and fell asleep.  And thus that is how Samuel acts.  He is high string, determined, and nervous individual.  He is referred to as the “problem child”.  In fact if there ever was such a profession as cat psychologist, then Sam would have went for therapy.  

Samuel annoyed each family member with the exceptions of Steve, Stephanie and Hannah.  Even our American Eskimo Dog, Nanook, felt this cat’s temper.  Even though Nanook attempted to build a relationship with Sam, he was slapped time and again.  Sam stubbornly refused to be kind.  He slapped and hissed at Nanook.  It took several days before Samuel even warmed up to his fellow cats.

On bitterly cold winter evenings, we allowed the cats to spend the night in the garage.  The next morning the cats were ready to eat and to go outside for fresh air.  Which cat was mewing?  Yes, you guessed it.  Samuel.  “Mew, mew, mew, mew, and mew!” Samuel carried on and on.  Missy, part Norwegian Forest Cat, had ran out of patience.  Suddenly Missy, growled and hissed at Sam.  Then one could a lot of wrestling around and banging on the garage door.  Then all one could hear was silence.  It was so quiet you could hear a pin drop.  Then Samuel broke the silence saying quietly and questioningly, “Mew?”