White Cat II

To close out Jasper’s birthday, it was time to do the late-night walk. 

When we walk, I prefer to carry a pooper scooper - scoop and putter - to deal with exigencies. 

On the return leg, Jasper abruptly stopped and spun around. We were being stalked - by a White Cat! This was a different cat from the White Cat who stalked us several years ago. I found this omen to be portentous. A White Cat! 

I wanted to introduce myself to the White Cat, but as we approached the cat arched its back in cautionary alarm. Jasper’s forthright canine approach was scaring the cat. I needed to tie Jasper to a tree or pole, but none was available. So I laid the pooper scooper down on the sidewalk and tied Jasper’s leash around the scoop and putter, hoping that would hold Jasper, and I approached the cat. 

Jasper wasn’t deterred, and continued approaching the cat. His leash wrapped around the pooper scooper putter, which clattered noisily on the pavement. Jasper panicked at the noise, and bolted. Lashed like Ahab to the White Whale, Jasper fled a block down the street, pursued as if by the Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse by the Pooper Scooper putter. Meanwhile, the cat withdrew a cautionary distance, in order to observe - whatever this was. 

Well, so much for diplomacy. Maybe another night. Jasper eventually returned, and we continued home.