My New Furry Co-Worker

As close as we are to our neighbors most daily activities go unnoticed. Our neighbors to our right have a tree cutting business and as such, have their business truck along with their personal trucks. This one day their activities would be interrupted by their barking dog Mufasa, a raised hood of a pickup truck and several bodies precariously leaning over the truck’s engine.

When my partner and I came out to see what the commotion was our neighbor’s wife explained why her son and husband were doing a balancing act in the son’s truck. It seems their dog was circling his parked truck because of a critter that was in the engine. By the dog’s reaction (he hates raccoons and cats) something was either under the vehicle or in the engine compartment. Mufasa was removed as the men searched the engine on the white full sized pickup truck. Nothing could be seen and since there was nothing visible by the fan belt, they determined that starting the truck engine along with the vibration might scare whatever it was out the truck. As we stood watched and waited nothing came flying out other than exhaust. The engine was turned off again and we were called in to take a look. As everyone was ready to give up my neighbor spotted movement against the trucks firewall. As I climbed up and helped move electrical wires and hoses, I could see a glimpse of something grey and furry. We could now see a tiny tabby kitten pressed up in a small recessed area of the firewall. Extricating this frightened, now hissing kitten would prove to be a challenge. Forty minutes had now passed as towels and coat hangers were used to try and grab the tiny kitten. Finally, the neighbor’s son, who was tall and skinny, climbed up onto the engine, straddling the air filter and made the grab for the kitten which was then thrust into my arms. Once held against my chest a familiar purring vibration could be felt and it started to purr. Since we were a cat friendly household, the kitten was placed in our care.

The next day a vet check determined that the kitten was a male about 5 weeks old. We named him Hemi considering where he was found and his loud purring ability which raced like an engine. He seemed to immediately form a bond with our Giant Schnauzer mix Rowena and became a cute energetic member of the household. Being a former Science teacher, I love experimentation so I tried a behavioral experiment using Rowena and Hemi. We went to PetSmart and found a ferret harness that was small enough for the kitten and with some maneuvering got it around his body. We then bought an appropriate leash and phase one was complete.

We then loaded up the cooler with snacks for us humans and ice, biscuits and water for the pets. Little Hemi was then placed in a crate that had front visibility with his favorite towel. Rowena our dog was loaded first then the cat crate with Hemi nervously peering out. The drive was relatively long ( 1 hour 45 minutes) in order to reach an area that had a not so public beach by the gulf. Once their chairs, blankets, coolers and a little kitten crate were set up. Rowena did her usual sniff and race into the water. She then came back to sniff the kitten crate. We attached the leash and patiently waited for Hemi to emerge. Rowena sat down next to the crate in the sand and we all enjoyed the cool breeze and fresh salty scent of the air. Slowly, the little kitten named Hemi emerged and leaned against Rowena. As the day wore on Hemi explored the sand, the Fiddler crabs and the salt waters edge all under the watchful eye of Rowena and her humans.

As the sun began to set and the mosquito factor was eminent, we packed up the equipment, wiped the sand from the coolers and pets and headed for home. Needless to say, by the time we arrived back home everyone was ready for bed. As we bathed Rowena and showered, we went to look back on Hemi who was now in Rowena's large dog crate complete with 2 hammocks, a round cat bed, litterbox and water. He was sound asleep no doubt dreaming of his adventurous day. So now with his little red harness he travels to beaches and goes for car rides. In the office, once playtime is over, he now is a calming vibration on my lap as I work at my office desk. He is definitely a valued co-worker and member of my fur ever staff.