Natural Sciences Sympathetic Imagination

When I awoke today I found myself in some sort of development or township inhabited by the humans. There were tall buildings and the majority of the population seemed to be dressed in burnt orange. When I got over my initialfascination with the culture, I made my way toward a building called the Natural Sciences building. This museum stands as a tribute to time periods and creatures that we have some knowledge about but still want and need to know more. I imagine that the immense size of the dinosaur items is symbolic of the amount of knowledge that is yet to be discovered about the past. There is so much still unknown to the humans! Once I made my way into the museum I was drawn in by an Entelodont skull and mandible from Persidio County, Texas. The skull was eerily familiar. It resembled the skulls that our herd has in honor of our dead elders. Maybe an entelodont is a distant relative or ancestor of mine. It is my thought that this display was some sort of tribute to an entelodont elder. It did not really hit me until I reached the third floor and encountered a white-tailed deer. I felt as though I was looking into some sort of a mirror. My reflection stood frozen in time, absent of a twitch or even a breath. He was surrounded by friends, neighbors, and predators alike. A turkey vulture, rock squirrel, and ringtail all stood frozen. I tried to identify and introduce myself and there was no response. What was this? Was this some sort of funeral? Are they dead?How morbid! Horrified, I rushed to up the stairs to the fourth floor, the Hall of Biodiversity, hoping to find something less offensive. I found myself drawn to a skull of a Pakicetus, a 48.5 million year old whale. Some of its features reminded me of land mammals. Its teeth were specialized for tearing and chewing food, much like my teeth. Leaving the fourth floor, it was still unclear to me whether this museum is a tribute the humans have made or some sort of tomb? I do know that I will take this encounter as a warning and stay clear of this building in the future.

Katie's Story

I am familiar with Katie’s history after she was put in the shelter, but like so many of the dogs and cats who end up in the Town Lake Animal Shelter Katie's name was put on the books there with little or no information about her past. Katie does not have the words to tell me what happened to her before the Shelter. So I will speak for her as best I can. I know that she was either homeless or neglected by her family. Let's assume her family abandoned her and that her story was something like this.

I awake this morning just like every morning to doors slamming and voices of anger. I check on either side of me to make sure that each of my three kittens is safe. They are still sleeping soundly and I’m glad that for now at least they can be spared the stress. I see Ernest more frequently than normal now, which can only mean one thing: he’s lost another job. Ernest and Mae weren’t always this way. In fact, Ernest used to be sweet, gentle and kind. I was a gift to Mae on her birthday last year, but much like Ernest forgot that he loved Mae, Mae forgot she loved me. Their relationship became strained as they attempted and failed to have children. Mae pressured Ernest to make more money and Ernest pressured Mae for children. Thankfully I was more fortunate in producing offspring, offspring who became my main focus as the house became a battlefield. I check them again. Their noses are still nuzzled in each others fur as they sleep intertwined. Mae starts throwing dishes and shards of her wedding china come barreling towards us. What has always been somewhat of an emotionally cold environment has turned into a neglectful, dangerous and barren wasteland. In a pivotal moment I make the decision to grab my kittens and leave for good. The outside world had to be much better than this I thought. A mother always trusts her instincts.

The streets of Austin were full of others like us, families on the run, companions that have been abandoned. We found refuge in an alley behind a restaurant on 53^rd and Avenue G. We grabbed scraps from the garbage and found shelter in some overgrown bushes. Life was not ideal, but it was better than life with Mae and Ernest. Day in and day out we tried our best to be invisible. Being invisible is what we did best. In fact we done such a good job of being invisible in the past that we managed to escape from a home completely unloved and unnoticed. At night while my kittens slept, I dreamt of better for them. I wished that they could have known the happy home that I once knew when Mae and Ernest were different--happy. I wished that they could have stability, warmth, and love.

My pleas were heard, or so I thought. One faithful day, a man exited the back of the restaurant and I could see him pointing in our direction and throwing his hands in the air in frustration. Three men followed him into the alley. In a whirlwind, they had grabbed each of us and before I knew it we were bouncing in the back of a crowded truck with other cats from the neighborhood. Some I recognized as regulars from the alley and others were strangers. All of us, however, were afraid. We arrived a building with blank walls, blank expressions, and blank hearts. I know it now to Towne Lake Animal Shelter. We were all placed in cages as a man walked up and down the line and made marks on a sheet of paper. I wondered he what wrote about us, and then I wondered about Mae and Ernest. Had I made the right decision in leaving them? What sort of fate did we face not that were in this…cat prison. Did they miss us? The conditions were unbearable. The shrill cries of confused and frightened cats and distant dogs were the sounds that filled each night. Every once in a while some cats would go on long “walks” down the line and would never return. I had to explain to my kittens that those cats had simply gone on vacation. I feared the day that myself, or any of my kittens would take that “walk.”

More men came. More men came and were pointing at us again. Only this time the men were not waving their hands in frustration. Their eyes were gentle and their demeanor calm. They shirts had very bold design on them. They themselves were quite a contrast to the blank walls and blank expressions. Again we rode in the back of a truck, slightly less bouncy this time around. We arrived at the most beautiful and lavish store I had every seen. They carried every type of cat toy you can imagine. Pet smart, I heard a man call it, had rows of food that seemed to stretch on for miles and the most comfortable beds we’d ever napped on. Why had we been taken to this lavish cat community? It seemed that our luck had finally changed; yet I remained skeptical. We made ourselves comfortable in our new cat condo. We made friends with cats named Toodles, Forest, and Rhapsody. Just as we had settled in to our new surroundings they began to change. Before we knew it Toodles had left us and then another. Cats would leave on ”walks” and more would take their place. Only this time I had a feeling that these “walks” were different. Mothers came with their children, husbands with their wives, and as they each left with one of our friends in tote, they were smiling. Making new friends with the other cats began to seem pointless and further, it was painful.

When I pictured the day of our adoption, I had always pictured us going together as a family, but that was not the case. Children would come and anxiously point and clamor for chance to take home one of kittens, which had now grown into maturity. Sure enough one by one, they left our home at the condo. Although my heartache at the thought of never seeing them again, I took comfort in the fact that they had found a new mother that could give them more than I could. They were better off, I reassured myself. Each day I would groom my fur and try to look my best for my potential new family. Families filed in and filed out in regular fashion some of which would glance at me, only to look away and chose a kitten. I have not given up hope that someday I will share a fate of my children. I too, will someday find a good home. I will someday be the apple of someone’s eye again. I see students that come in and hear them say they are from Professor Bump’s class. I am unsure what their intentions are but whatever it is, it seems promising. For now I am content in this cat condo, but I hope that one or more of these students can see all of the wonderful things that I have to offer.

Word count: 1215

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Appendix:

Katie

Things really do get better with age and I’m the best example! My name is Katie and I am 1 year and 4 months young! I am an affectionate, and laid back orange tabby looking for a place to call my own. I’ve raised three kittens into maturity and now that the kids are all grown up, I’m ready for someone to take care me. I am loyal and protective, and although I haven’t been around human children too much, give me time and I’m sure my motherly instincts will kick in! A seasoned mama cat like me is ready to kick up her paws and relax in the comfort of a forever home. I’m a blend of keen senses and mild nature and taking naps is one of my favorite past times. I’m a lounge buddy, guard kitty and confidant all in one! My big hazel eyes have seen a lot in this world, but my heart is a stranger to unconditional love. If you’re looking for a low maintenance yet loving companion, you’ll find it in me. I’m a strong female feline would be the perfect addition to any willing family.

Word Count:194

Elijah

Adventure is my middle name, but my first name is Elijah and I am grey tabby on a mission to find a forever home. I’m a spunky little kitten that will crawl my way right into your heart. I like exploring, lounging, and playfully pretending my roommate’s tails are toys. Although I’m small, I’ve got big dreams and an even bigger heart. I’ve got a pair of eyes that would warm even the coldest of hearts and a zest for life that is unmatched. My free spirit is only surpassed by my curiosity---curiosity about the world, and curiosity about my potential family. I’m an independent boy who likes to do all of the things that boys normally do! I love to play with toys, pounce around and stay active. Although sometimes I think I’m invincible, I could use somebody to look out for me and show me the ropes. At a young 10 weeks, I’ll be sure to adapt to any loving family’s dynamic and hopefully be with them for every week to come.

Word count: 176