The True Story of Boots or How I Adopted a Cat in South Africa

I have two cats. They are fantastic. Their names are Harriet and Millifred, but they go by Harry and Millie. Harry and Millie are my babies and I am very protective and slightly irrational when it comes to them… it is a true test of friendship whether or not one makes a good faith effort to tell them apart. I miss them terribly, mostly at night when the wind is howling and I’m cold. Two cats can keep you very warm. Trust me.

As I have previously posted, we have adopted a cat at our house on Cambridge Road. We’ve named her Boots, in spite of a tag that says otherwise. Today I learned the true story of Boots and have officially adopted her and begun the process of finding her a home for when we leave.

Her story is this:

Once upon a time, Boots lived in the little house at 12 Cambridge Street in Cape Town, South Africa. She was loved and well cared for by a little boy who lived there. The boy played with Boots and rubbed her belly when she would roll over. He scratched her under her chin and behind the ears until she purred.

Then one day the little boy got terrible news. He had to move from 12 Cambridge Street and could not bring Boots with him! The little boy cried to his mom and dad, but alas the decision had already been made. So the boy set about finding a new home for Boots. After many doors had been knocked and bells rung, the little boy’s neighbors across the street (with the freaky monkey gargoyle-uck!) agreed to adopt Boots. The little boy was so relieved and trusted that his sweet and wonderful cat would be well looked after.

But the little boy was wrong! The neighbors disguised as kind hearted folk were really quite thoughtless and uncaring! Shortly after the boy moved, the neighbors went on a long journey. They would be gone for six months! They left instructions for their housekeeper to leave a bowl of food for Boots once a week, but made no provisions for her to be loved!

Boots was sad. She loved the little boy and missed her nice warm house where she was protected from the cold and rain. She was confused and distressed. Then one day three Americans moved into the house. Two of these Americans were quite fond of cats; the third accidentally stepped on her with his big Mississippi feet. Soon the Americans grew fond of Boots and allowed her in the house when they were home and even sleep overnight when the weather was really bad. Boots had hope that when these Americans left, they would leave her in the hands of someone who would love her as much as the little boy had. Until then, she would snuggle deep under the covers and keep the girl American’s feet warm at night.

And that is the true story of Boots of Cambridge Road.

Always,

Sarah