By me, they are innocent enough, these colorful, helium-filled balloons. But I fear my dear cat Max was marked for life by such a balloon. The occasion was the 1st birthday of our newest granddaughter. At Albertson's, I saw a silver plastic balloon with a smiley that said "Happy Birthday." Bought it. Tethered it in the hallway at about person height during the party.
At the end of the gathering, on a lark, I fastened the tether to Max's harness. Not a happy idea. So I disengaged the big silver smiley, which promptly floated up to the ceiling. We all forgot about it.
In the middle of the night, my husband woke me up. "The cat's going crazy," he said. Where the bedroom ceiling slanted up to the clerestory windows, the balloon was floating back and forth, back and forth, with the face looking down at us -- and the terrified cat. Shortly thereafter, the knight in shining armor slew the dread monster.
However, ever since that night, Max cat goes into hiding when he hears a car pull up and he takes his time emerging to inspect any arrivals. I suppose if I were a cat or a little kid and saw those eyes staring down at me as the face drifted back and forth, back and forth on the ceiling above me, I'd be more than a little traumatized, too.
By me, they are innocent enough, these colorful, helium-filled balloons. But I fear my dear cat Max was marked for life by such a balloon. The occasion was the 1st birthday of our newest granddaughter. At Albertson's, I saw a silver plastic balloon with a smiley that said "Happy Birthday." Bought it. Tethered it in the hallway at about person height during the party.
At the end of the gathering, on a lark, I fastened the tether to Max's harness. Not a happy idea. So I disengaged the big silver smiley, which promptly floated up to the ceiling. We all forgot about it.
In the middle of the night, my husband woke me up. "The cat's going crazy," he said. Where the bedroom ceiling slanted up to the clerestory windows, the balloon was floating back and forth, back and forth, with the face looking down at us -- and the terrified cat. Shortly thereafter, the knight in shining armor slew the dread monster.
However, ever since that night, Max cat goes into hiding when he hears a car pull up and he takes his time emerging to inspect any arrivals. I suppose if I were a cat or a little kid and saw those eyes staring down at me as the face drifted back and forth, back and forth on the ceiling above me, I'd be more than a little traumatized, too.
Funny post, but not for Max.
ReplyDeleteI fear poor Max was marked for life by that incident! Today is a bad day for him too, as the plumber is here to fix a major, high-priced leak.
ReplyDeleteI love my cats but I'm still laughing at that story.
ReplyDeleteYou're so right. Tis funny, looking back, but oh, the poor cat,to be haunted by that silver smiley!
ReplyDeleteThank you for participating in the Carnival of Family Life 51st edition! It's up and running at DigitalRich Daily.
ReplyDeleteDigitalRich
And I'll be linking it tonight when I get my new post going, Rich. Thanks for the mention -- I've heard from a number of people. Hope they enjoyed the story!
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