Snooks was a very small kitten and lived in a preacher’s home. He was
well liked by the children in the home. One day one of the girls became
very ill and for weeks everyone had to be very quiet. The kitten liked
to be in the house and romp with the children but during those weeks
of sickness he had to stay outdoors. One day a young man called at the
house on an errand and as he turned to leave he noticed the kitten
asleep in a chair on the front porch. He told one of the children that
he would like to have the little ball of gray and blue and to his
surprise the little girl gave it to him.
The first ride the kitten ever had in an automobile was that afternoon
when the young man started home with the little gift. Kittens do not
like to ride as dogs do, so this kitten was afraid and had to be kept
from jumping out while the car was running.
The kitten soon made friends in the new home and was named Snooks. This
name was given him by his new mistress because a little pet chicken she
once had was named Snooks. He was trained in many ways during the early
months in this new home and could be trusted alone in the house for he
would not climb upon the table or bother anything.
Nearly all kittens are afraid of water but Snooks likes to get into it
and play by splashing it with his feet. He also likes to take a bath
for he will not offer to scratch or bite, but stands in the bathtub
while his mistress washes him.
Sometime during each day Snooks has a big romp from room to room. He
has learned to run fast and then jump on little rugs and slide on the
floor. Many times a day these rugs have to be straightened and put
back into place. On cold nights he is allowed to sleep in the house on
a little bed which is all his own. This he greatly enjoys, but little
does he realize that many poor kittens which have no homes have to
sleep out in the cold. Many times they go to bed on the cold ground and
their little ears freeze because they cannot keep warm.
One of the greatest delights of this kitten is to play with a little
rubber ball which was bought for him. He will chase it from room to
room, like playing with a mouse. He makes it roll by striking it with
his feet or jumping at it. One day the ball rolled under the pantry
door and the mistress heard Snooks meowing but did not go to see what
he wanted. Soon he came to the living room and meowed again and then
started back toward the kitchen still meowing. The mistress followed
and Snooks led her to the door of the pantry and looked under as much
as to say, “I have lost the little ball, will you get it for me?” She
opened the door and found the ball and the kitten went on playing
again perfectly satisfied.
On another day a Victrola was brought into the house where Snooks
lives and at first he was afraid of the music but soon showed signs of
interest. He would sit and listen and liked to watch the records go
’round and ’round. He would walk all around the machine smelling and
looking as though trying to find where the music and voices were coming
from.
At this writing Snooks, the little blue and gray kitten, is alive and
well. He lives in a college town but has never gone to college. He is
satisfied to eat three times a day and every day he plays with the
little ball which he enjoys so much. He is now about one year old and
is going to be a large cat when grown. Let us hope that he will always
have a good home and be well and playful.
[Illustration]