Animal: Cat vs. Alligator

All of the animals except for man know that the principle business of life is to enjoy it. ~ Samuel Butler

She was born in a wood pile, found by a real estate customer of mine, and given to me. Miko, our cat, has been with us over 10 years now. She has slowed down a bit, but always keeps life interesting. She seemed to have the most fun when we lived in Florida. Chasing all the lizards for fun and a snack and exploring around the lake, until...

One day she was there, the next day she was gone. We searched high and low for her, asking neighbors, who were familiar with her antics. Climbing the screens on their porches to get on their roof, was a favorite exercise. This was heart breaking to my wife, who is a cat person, but as the days went on our attention changed to our first son, who was born two months later. Our hope of seeing Miko again was lost.

Logan's first week home from the hospital, we heard a soft meow from the backyard. Surprised, we went to see whose cat had stopped by to visit. It was Miko. She was skin and bones and had long gashes down both her back legs. Taking her to the vet, we found she had been a victim of alligator attack.

Ever year, we would get a gator or two visiting the lake and have to get the local croc hunter to come remove him. Many a day I watched kids playing in the lake, waiting... Miko was probably taking a quick drink when the gnashing jaws crashed out of the water, her leap not quite fast enough she escaped, but with a permanent reminder. She probably holed up to gain strength those two months, living on bugs or mice.

She has been with us many years, and several moves, since then. Now she is more like a mother to the boys, sleeping on their bed, following them around to keep and eye on them. The hair still does not grow on the scars that tattoo her back legs, memories of her past adventures.