Do you know why cats’ eyes shine in the dark? Or why they purr? In fact, why do cats do all the things they do?

I don’t know all the answers, but I can tell you one thing: it sure is fun seeing it first-hand!

Yes, you read that right. We have a cat. Here’s the story:

Ever since we rescued Silly in Mobile, AL, I’ve been hankering for a pet. I’ve never had one, you see, and Knox always enjoyed his pets. We didn’t think anything would come of it since we were so busy looking for a house, and Knox is allergic to cats, and well, it is a bit unhygienic.

By a strange twist of fate, however, our friends D & C were looking to give one of their cats a vacation. This cat was always very shy, and felt so intimidated by the relative-newcomer dog and cat that joined the family, as well as the rambunctious humans, that it would often just stay upstairs, hiding. It would go on the roof at night, but rarely downstairs. This came to be a problem, since downstairs is where the litter box was. After one too many instances of cat pee on the bed, D & C decided this animal needed a more relaxing milieu.

And that, you see, is how Galli came to live at the Summit Manse, a.k.a. Club Fey.

She was very nervous and shy at first, and shed like crazy from the stress. Before too long, though, she got used to the good life and would consent—no, no, demand—to be rubbed. She quickly came to appreciate the fine pleasures of savoring the catnip ball and of pursuing the feathers-on-a-stick. Still skittish enough to always want an escape route, she nevertheless was quite adventurous in exploring the whole house. One time, in fact, we underestimated her shyness and let her escape through on open window. What a stressful search we had! She came back on her own later that night, to tears of joy and, a few days later, a cat collar.

My latest discovery into this feline’s psyche? She loathes the slinky with a passion and a hiss. But just hide a salmon treat inside and let her be and, well, her aversion is no match for her gluttony.