My favorite place has always been my shelf. I ate there and slept there. I even had my own litter box there. Holly, The Evil One, never climbed on the shelf, so it was my safe haven.

OK, I know it wasn’t stable. It fell over once, but that was just once. Mama and Aunty Susan stabilized it. It was mine – all mine. Well, Little Bear used it, too. Sometimes, Davey Jones ate there, but mostly, it was all mine.

Then one day, Mama and Aunty Susan came and took it apart. I didn’t think too much about it, until I realized that it was trash day and my shelf was disappearing out the door.

Can you believe it? They took my shelf. They took it apart and put it in a box and put it out for the trash truck to take.

I became very upset and confused. I spent the day sitting in the middle of the floor, just looking around. I knew that Mama and Aunty Susan wouldn’t do this to me. There had to be a mistake. I checked the whole house and my shelf was nowhere to be found.

I had no shelf. I was stuck in a metal basket thing. I had no room to play. I had no room to eat or sleep. I was cramped and very uncomfortable. All that I kept thinking was:

       “Why are they doing this to me? What did I do wrong?”

       I’m Beautiful Belle. Everyone loves me. What happened?

It was such a long time. Holly, The Evil One, actually climbed up and was standing over me – just staring at me. I let out a scream and Mama came to save me. It was a terrible experience.

It was at least a whole day and night before things changed for the better.

Suddenly, a new shelf arrived. I checked it out very carefully. It isn’t as tall as my old shelf, but it is beautiful. I fell in love immediately.

I now have a new place to eat and sleep. I have a place for my litter box and most importantly – Holly, The Evil One, doesn’t bother me any more.

I have a brand new shelf. I knew that Mama loved me. Now I have proof.

My name is Belle and I’m two years old.

Cats With Hands