Alfie

by Duane Wirdel
(Newark, Delaware USA)

Alfie is my Birthday cat. on January 10th, 04 I had my 50th birthday. I took our dog Astrid out for a walk and it was only about 9 degrees above zero. We went down through a gulley to get to the YMCA soccer field when I heard this little "meow." Over to the right, trying to hide in the bushes was this tuxedo cat. I said "whats the matter buddy?" All of the sudden he ran over to me, crying, so I picked him up to warm him up. I then put him down and Astrid and I continued our walk. I heard "meow" and there he was, running after us. I stopped and he began joining us for our walk. All of the sudden he dropped back and we continued. Again I heard the "meow!" I looked back and he was peeing...he wanted us to wait. So, he followed us home and we took him in after looking around the neighborhood to see if anyone lost a kitty. He has been with us since. I named him Alfie because he is smart, willful and tough like an Englishman. He also has the nickname "Challenger" because he is built like Britain's Challenger II tank! He fit in well with our other cats and claims the downstairs powderoom as his own. If you go in there he must go in too. He and my ginger tabby, Wellington...who is 17.5 years old are the best of pals and sleep with me every night.