The Cat

As the rolling hilltops diminished from view, the night sky closing in and shadows were all that we left. They were only having lunch a few hours ago, the sunlight falling quickly into darkness on the shortest day of the year. With Christmas only 4 days away, it was not going to be the only dark day in the Hansen family.
Gravel crunching under the Shoguns wheel, a few strays clipping the body but just enough to awaken Samson from his sleep.
Firstly, stretching his legs then the full body roll, followed by the arching of back. When the routine was complete, the yawn suddenly became an enormous meow startling everyone in the car.

Samson’s carry cage is first to be moved six hours in a cramped box is not his idea of fun and he informs everyone of this. With the door opened, the adventures can begin, starting with who is following Samson; there is tapping noise and it’s very close. After a few more steps, it all becomes clear, the original waxed mahogany flooring and Samson’s claws are not agreeing with each other.
Pausing to take in the grandeur, looking around the expansive hallway is the flowing spiral staircase leading from both sides onto the balcony above Samson’s head; the space filled with marble and granite ornaments along with oversized furniture.
Like all good cats, the first thing on the agenda is finding a comfortable place to sleep preferably near a source of heat. Prowling confidently past the kitchen, catching the slightest whiff of something tasty, Samson tried the door; locked shut, not good. How about a different entrance? Quickly shooting out of the heavy oak front door, Samson deceived the family and made his way to the back of the country manor. No obstacles in the way of fences so a quick journey was made only to find all chances of entry was shut, and the smell is now tormenting Samson. One last opportunity, the best trick in the book, Samson sat down just outside the rear lobby and let out an enormous, high pitched ‘MEOW’. Birds flew out of trees, there was huge crash within the house and then the back door flung open;
“You silly cat…” but before Samson heard the end, he already had the source of the smell in his grasps. He proudly walked out the back door, with his Christmas present firmly in his mouth. That was the last time the Hansen’s saw Samson and the catnip mouse all Christmas.