Spider's Great Adventures

** Images For Use By Upgraded+ Only **

The Adventures of Spider



         Spider, as my cat came to be known, was a throw away. She was tiny the first day I saw her and covered with horrid fleas, they were like ants on her. She had been thrown into a burlap sack along with her brother and sisters and mom and tossed on the road side. A friend I knew from Pine Vale (a church home for kids) had picked the sack up when one of his kids had noticed it moving. I no longer worked there but I was still Aunt Becky and made visits regularly on weekends to buy pizza and ice cream for the kids and work on the computers.

         Spider caught my eye because she was totally black, not a speck of white was upon her body. The effect of that black as coal cat staring at you with green eyes was captivating. So Aunt Becky adopted Spider. The poor kitten got an immediate flea dip, was washed and dried off. The bath was very disagreeable to her but was endured with stubborn silence. As her new owner (ha) I was told that she came from a long line of mean cats and I now had my hands full.

         Well we went home, Spider and I. So began my education in the joys of owning a cat. She was soon strong and fast and she would run freely around the neighborhood playing at will. She also learned to climb trees and of course got stuck high above the ground on a limb. Lisa, my next door neighbor, and I held a towel underneath her for an hour till she finally slipped and fell with a plop into the towel. At this point it became necessary for me to sit her down and have a serious talk with her about behavior. This had very little effect on her and she continued to be adventuresome. Her favorite place was in the neighbor’s yard which was not good as the two dogs that inhabited the yard did not much care for the invasion of a kitten. Little did they know they were dealing with super kitty “Spider” and her bad temper.

         The next experience I remember with clarity was a summer day and I was in the kitchen busy preparing a meal for a small group I intended to have over to the house. Something caught my eye in the kitchen window, which is a plate glass window roughly shaped like a door. As I watched I could hear and see the next door neighbor’s dogs going nuts. They had their snouts stuck through the fence, which was a typical chain link fence. They were clearly aggravated, greatly upset and snapping at spider, who seemed to be ignoring their existence. Then to my horror Spider stood up and began to walk purposefully to the fence. I tried to get her attention because I knew if those dogs got a fang on her she was dead. My efforts were fruitless and she walked casually up to the first dog and politely slapped him with her paw not once or twice but repeatedly. The poor dog went insane snapping, growling, and yipping at Spider. She then turned her back on the whole thing and walked as if she was tip toeing back to the rear deck. I was amazed.

         As Spider grew she became increasingly inquisitive, active, and argumentative. She was very opinionated about dogs and had no problem expressing her distrust and distaste for what she seemed to consider the lower species. My boss at one point had this beautiful puppy he had been trying to find a home for. I hesitated but finally gave into my sillier side and said I would take him home provisionally. If Spider accepts him he can stay other wise bye bye Mr. doggie. Well, I got home, carried the puppy in my arms and walked through the kitchen. I saw Spider coming up the stairs as I put the puppy down. Spider’s ears went forward on her head and before I could move or utter a word she streaked across the room. I swear so fast that the blur looked like somebody had taken a charcoal pencil and drawn a line across across the carpet. The puppy never had a chance. He was completely at a loss and Spider decimated him. I have a scar on my arm where I foolishly but bravely tried to stop the fight. Spider would never intentionally attack me but the dog was another story.

         I returned the poor puppy to his master the next day after taking him to the vet and having various cuts and scratches patched. The poor dog had been so scared he had relieved himself over most of my living room. When I handed him back I calmly said, "The vet says he will live, honest." This for Spider, became the first in many such events and she would and did go out of her way to let every dog know she ruled the block. It was about this time that I learned from the vet that Spider had leukemia and was doomed to a shortened life and probably cancer later. This never did seem to bother her because she never slowed down.

         The next memorable instance I can recount was the day I had just driven up to the house and getting out of the car noticed three things. A dog across the street, a man walking the dog, and at my feet Spider not a good combination! I almost dropped everything trying to reach Spider, to no avail; with a noticeable whoosh of air as she went to light speed she was across the street and attacking the dog so fast nobody had time to think. The dog was getting the worst of it till the owner joined in and tried to kick Spider. For his effort, Spider released her hold on the dog, and latched onto the dog owner’s leg. It was truly funny to see a grown man trying to shake Spider lose and the poor dog standing there shaking with fear. I rushed across and tapped Spider on the head, this was a let go tap which she complied with immediately. I apologized profusely and chased after Spider making sure she would not return. She stood in our yard and watched the dog carefully selecting her next attack. I tried to block her view but she would simply crane her head around my leg to get a view.

         Poor Spider did not know when to say, I am scared, bye now. One day she was sitting quietly in the yard watching me rake leaves. To our surprise a pit bull dog came running into the yard followed by the owner. I exclaimed an "OH!" which only attracted Spider's attention and I immediately tried to block her view. I succeeded for all of twenty seconds just long enough for the amazingly handsome man to grab his dog’s leash. I relaxed a little because I felt Spider after her last adventure with attacking dogs, and their owner's, had listened to my chiding. So I moved back to a less awkward pose that might possibly be more appealing to the gentleman. Spider taking no notice of my interest in the human took three steps so she would be perched on a high point in the brick wall lining my drive. From this vantage point she gazed disdainfully at the dog and owner generally letting all know she was not in the least intimidated.

         Oh if only dogs had brains. The man met my eyes and smiled which was very pleasant but I had seen Spider's move and knew the warning signs. So politely I informed the man he might want to pull his dog back a step or two. He laughed out loud and said "Ma'm this is one mean dog and he isn't scared of anything." To which I replied, "Maybe he ought to be." This banter meant nothing to the two pets. Spider had perked up and was paying close attention to the dog now. I pleaded with the neighbor to back up a few steps. Like his owner the dog was straining to get closer. Not wanting any bodies in my driveway I warned the man one more time. He didn't listen, his dog stuck its nose a little too close to Spider and she attacked. It was so quick you couldn't see her move but the dog got the message and quick. A second later his nose was bleeding and he was backing up growling.

         The dog’s owner was horrified and at the same time angered. Having had enough of the situation I told the man he and his dog needed to vacate before something worse happened. He refused and informed me that his dog was one of the meanest on the planet and could tear my cat limb from limb...Oh such foolishness. He tried to push the dog into a fight with my cat! To my surprise and I think his, the poor dog simply whined and drew his tail down between his legs. So did the man and gratefully they both soon left Spider and I in peace.

         Spider had many other adventures that I may some day add to these but some were much less glamorous as she actually attacked one young lady who was visiting my house. Mistaking her hair, which was very short, for a fur ball of a dog. I could tell Spider felt bad for having made the mistake for days but it did not help the young lady or her need, for stitches in her head. Thank goodness her face was untouched.

         All of Spiders beautiful movements full of grace, and her facial expressions which I assure you went from happy to complete shock and sadness; came to an early end one day. I do not know the exact time frame for it was never established but poor Spider must have gotten out of the house one day and spied me coming home. Not knowing she was anywhere about I pressed the garage door button and went upstairs, the next morning when I was headed for work I found her under the door, dead. I cried for days and struggled through a burial for her. I still honor her name with a plaque that hangs in my house. Its says, "Home of Spider, the meanest kitty in west Tennessee." Please don't feel sorry for my little kitty she wouldn't want that, and I can assure you that because of her leukemia; her death while tragic was far better than what awaited her at the end of her years.

         She was and will ever be my only pet. Spider lives on in her brothers and sisters whom I understand have the same attitude concerning dogs.