The motley gray house was the neighborhood eyesore in its upper middle class subdivision with its undriveable old vehicle permanently parked, piles of unemptied garbage, webs of undergrowth, fading exterior paint and morbidly abandoned appearance. The house was alive in the past when its owner was functional. At this point neither the house nor the man appeared to be so. Actually, it is rumored that the man was very renowned in the community at one time, honored by notable professionals in memoriam, but we are moving ahead in the story.
The two house mascots were a large orange cat and Curly. Both aging animals presented a somewhat snarly “attitude” about their kingdom seemingly unaware of its very decrepit status. Curly resembled the lion statues framing many building staircases. He was crusty, black furred and short in stature with a somewhat puggish nose which made him look like Winston Churchill. He included the street in his territory which gave him the name “speed bump” as he never moved for cars in the intersection. He acted contrary to strangers but graciously and fiercely loyal to his owner. He was a survivor and also a crumudgeon.
One day we noticed the movable car had not returned and later learned its owner had been injured and ultimately succumbed to his injuries. The independent cat took matters in his own hands and left the minute the food supply disappeared. Curly, on the other hand stayed in wait.
Although he was not overtly cordial in the beginning, we set up a pallet, water and food in the garage. The weather was getting cold. Before very long neighbors who walked frequently in the neighborhood brought him daily treats such as chicken. One animal lover drove by throwing him meatballs. He became so attentive that we felt comfortable taking him for bath and shots.
We knew he was sure to be sacrificed at the shelter , so we continued the above care plan until the man’s out of state daughter appeared to try to make arrangements about the house. She was so captivated by the neighborhood love that she ultimately took Curly with her to retire in Florida and reward his faithful loyalty.
