The cat reacted in shock, the unexpected recovery of the hominid, from what seemed like deep sleep, surprising him to the point of near shock.
The cat froze in place, its own eyes staring into the dark, shiny and unblinking eyes of the human. The meatball was forgotten.
“It’s up to you,” the boy breathed out, his words soft, but also forced. The cat was a substantial animal and a predator of some renown. The boy knew he wasn’t the cat’s preferred prey, but he also knew that he was no contest for the cat, not without some distance between them and a good grip on his hunting spear. The spear was only a hand’s length away, but the boy made no move for it. The big round and unblinking eyes of the cat allowed for no movement at all.
I am in a nursing home, but I have an Ipad and reicived a story on my IPad about a cat that I found very interesting, and I am hooked on your stories and I am so glad. They make my day ! Thank you so much!
Glad to have “aboard” Sharon. Have you read about Harvey?
He was my companion for 17 years
Harvey, the Grey Cat
Thank you for your support.
Jim
I would like to share your stories to my brother who was in the Army for twenty two years and now has Parkinson diaese. I think he would enjoy some oh stories since he is also a veitnom vet . How do I share the stories with him ..?
If he can read from the website, just send the link
JamesStrauss.com
If he enjoys reading on a tablet or in paperback form, we have most of the published books avialable here on the website also.
Books For Sale
When Paperbacks are purchased they come autographed and personalized.
Thank you for your support
I’m intrigued. I look forward to reading this in full. As a huMom yo way to many cats, I know their brains don’t work like ours, but they do think. My cats thought processes may not go beyond “ I want moms attention “ and “ I want food” very often, but I’ve seen it enough to know it does happen.
I don’t often click on links that Facebook has suggested, but I’m glad I did this time.
Thanks for ‘coming aboard’ on the story Jamie. Much appreciate your thoughts and compliment here…
Semper fi,
Jim
That was cool, want more for sure, seems to be a bit familiar don’t know why. I’ll think about it for a time, try to find the why, exploring can be fun on so many levels. Thanks for adding this.
You are most welcome Bill, and it really is my pleasure to write it…
Semper fi,
Jim
I have this fantasy about forming a connection with a large wild cat. This story is about as close as I will ever come to that. I’m purring with delight. I love the dialogue.
The book “Tribe of Tiger” by Elizabeth Marshall Thomas has some interesting Puma stories plus talks about how the bushmen of Africa lived and walked among the Lions.
Someone did a good job with Photoshop on the left ear of the Puma at the top of this segment.
Keep them coming!
In truth I have had a relationship similar to this with a cat, a large venomous snake and an overgrown seagull at different times in my life.
We cannot truly understand the way in which animal minds work but they do work and they do have intellect…and sometimes a whole lot of that.
I am talking relationship here and not the pet thing.
Semper fi,
Jim
The peacefulness of this encounter of the cat and the boy is in stark contrast to the intensity of the A Shau Valley. Does it help you relax?
Yes, Buck, it does help to be writing this alongside Thirty Days…
Observant of you to put that together…
Semper fi,
Jim
Good read. I like these kinds of stories.Semper Paratus
Coast Guard is most welcome here. My Dad did 35 years, which means I did a lot of it with him. Back in the day the CG would let ship captains take
their sons along. I went to Japan on a buoy tender and plied the Great Lakes on an 83 footer!
Thanks for liking the story…
Semper fi,
Jim
It is a good story. Relaxing! Intriguing. Wonder where this is going? Puma and a human are strange trail mates. Guess we’ll have to read on.
Thanks Tomas, for writing nice stuff about what you think about the story on here. Much appreciate…
Semper fi,
Jim
👍 again Lt looking forward for the next chapter
Thanks Jim, means a lot to have some fans…and great ones at that…
Semper fi,
Jim
Can’t wait for the next chapter. Always enjoy your writing. 👍👍
Thanks Johnny, and I much appreciate the compliment…Means a lot…
Semper fi,
Jim
And I agree with Mr. McKinley. Need some of that peace every now and again.
Only noted one typo: “The chunk was huge, and almost, but not quiet…” Perhaps “quite”?
Really appreciate this tale of the young man and the cat, kind of relaxing to read this story, and just enjoy it. Thanks, LT!
You guys can be funny. A little peace now and then. Well, thank you, although I am not sure you’ll be writing that in this
novel. Life in pre-historey was a pretty rough thing…
Semper fi,
Jim
As opposed to the mud and the blood, etc., most things are “peaceful”. Oddly, as a former wildlife biologist, I did a lot of work with cats – bob cats and “Florida” panthers, Ocelots, Margays. All very interesting. Found myself in touching distance of a bobcat of about 40 lb. – took all my will power to NOT stick my hand out and say, “Nice Kitty!” My boss went out and measured the distance between the cat’s butt print and my toes – 15″ !
When I was up in Alaska, Craig, I got out of the Zodiac with a bunch of traveling wildlife professors.
We stood on the shore as the Zodiac pulled away.
We walked toward a fallen log up at the edge of the forest.
Rising up behind that log took a 12-foot Grizzly.
The bear was about fifty yards away.
He looked at us and then slowly retreated and left.
The Wildlife experts were elated. I was brutally relieved.
I realized, that for a brief period in time, my life was in the paws of a creature with a brain about the size of a walnut.
Animals in the bush are not necessarily smart at all, but they are feral and will do what is best for their survival in most cases.
Thanks for setting me off with your own story.
Semper fi,
Jim
Truly amazing critters that cover vast ranges in their lives. They are more prevalent farther east then many know.
Yes, Pete and most people have no clue…
Semper fi,
Jim
Some peace in my world, thank you.
Great compliment Walt. Thank you. Some peace in my world too!!!
Semper fi,
Jim