By LuAnn McLain
Many humans have witnessed the mysterious and powerful drive pets have to return home to their families. Arlie Lane has sent in a story about one particular pet that became a member of her family because of that drive.
The story of Gimstair, AKA Gympy begins with two girls walking home from school and spotting a black cat they are convinced needs a home. (How many millions of pet stories begin that way?) One of the girls happened to be the Lanes youngest daughter. This cat was not a kitten, however. This somewhat reluctant full-grown male cat had a raucous voice and only three legs.
Can we keep him, Mom? No, honey, we already have three cats of our own and we definitely dont need another.
Arlie reports plaintive cries ensued. He doesnt have a home. The kids pick on him. The dogs chase him. Nobody loves him. Arlie admits he had little to recommend him. She relented and agreed to consult with father.
That evening it was decided the cat could stay only long enough to be found a home. But who on earth wanted a 3-legged, untrained black cat?
A nice young couple who had just moved into a lovely new home on the other side of town adopted the strange black cat. Relief all around! writes Arlie.
The following week, Arlie says she was relaxing in the tub when she heard terrible caterwauling. What on earth? she wondered it couldnt be! But it was!
Our 3-legged cat must have liked our own house and neighborhood better. Although hed been at our house only a week, he somehow limped his way back across town and come home.
I guess we were softies, continues Arlie, and figured if the poor devil made such a heroic effort to come back to us, we were sort of obligated to keep him. He apparently didnt mind being low cat on our totem pole if wed keep him. So he was trained to ask to go outside like the other cats to relieve himself, a trip to the vet to be neutered and shots, and he was ours.
Gympy made a brief sojourn with the neighbors who pampered him to no end. But after the neighbors died, Gympy came back for good. Cancer took Gympys life on Dec. 6, 1984. Arlie concludes, He was a very unique kitty and rewarded us many times over for giving him a home.
Gympys story illustrates an animals determination to get home, but it also illustrates the way animals often choose a home. It sounds like Gympy found love with the Lanes and knew that is where he wanted to be.
If you have a story you would like to share with readers about a pet that managed to find his or her way home, contact Pawsitively Pets at PO Box 1731, Havre, MT 59501.
Have a safe and happy week with your companion critters!
