Stella Talks Fireworks

The post Stella Talks Fireworks by Michael Leaverton appeared first on Catster. Copying over entire articles infringes on copyright laws. You may not be aware of it, but all of these articles were assigned, contracted and paid for, so they aren't considered public domain. However, we appreciate that you like the article and would love it if you continued sharing just the first paragraph of an article, then linking out to the rest of the piece on Catster.com.

The Fourth of July can be a stressful time for our kitties, what with the flashes and bangs and scent of gunpowder in the air. I asked my cat, Stella, what I could do to make the evening more pleasant for her.

Stella, I’m worried about fireworks scaring you this Fourth of July. Do you think you’ll be OK? Can I set you up a safe area in the back bedroom?
Remind me of the laws about class A fireworks again?

Um, they’re illegal?
Yeah, but is California Health & Safety Code section 12677 actually enforced, you know, for a non-commercial display in a residential area lasting let’s say a half-hour for an audience of mostly animals?

I really have no idea. You seem to know a lot about fireworks.
I’m just wondering about the police response if someone, hypothetically, were to launch 10 pounds of ‘works shipped overnight from Mexico.

Why are you wondering that?
Just bored. Exercising my brain.

Huh.
That’s me, always keeping the noggin healthy.

Well, good for you, I guess. In other news, we got another package to hold for our new neighbor Madame S. Katte.
Great. Just put it with the others in the back bedroom.

I still have a hard time believing someone moved in, in the dead of night and told you to accept her packages when she went off on vacation.
You know I’m up all hours of the night.

It’s still odd.
Why?

You’re a cat.
Maybe she thought I was a dog.

People don’t go around telling animals to accept their packages for them.
Maybe she thought I was your daughter! You know, in the moonlight I look like a 13-year-old YouTube makeup prodigy.

You do not.
Don’t be cruel!

Back to the Fourth, Stella. I just want to know if you’re going to be OK if I go out.
Relax, I’ll be fine. I’ll just hole up in the back room with the packages.

You sure?
Absolutely. Leave me a candle for company. And a fire extinguisher, in case I knock over the candle. Better make it two fire extinguishers.

Huh.
And a bucket of water, in case I can’t work the fire extinguishers.

I’m starting to think I shouldn’t leave the house, Stella.
Oh, come on! What fun is hiding from fireworks if you’re here?

I’m also starting to think I should look inside those packages.
You will not! Tampering with the mail is a federal offense. Those belong to Madame S. Katte.

AKA Stella the cat?
So what if we have similar names? She’s a classy lady.

Stella, if you stole my credit card number to buy fireworks I’m going to be really angry.
You NEVER let me launch fireworks. What kind of cat owner are you?

The aggrieved kind.
Just ONE TIME I want to launch a Roman candle. Is that too much to ask? Actually, 50 Roman candles.

Listen, how about we compromise with a sparkler? Did you buy a pack?
I bought a thousand packs. We’ll light up the block.

I’ll be glad when this holiday is over.
Do you need a safe space? I can put some blankets and beef jerky in the closet.

About the author:

Stella, a Bengal, has a firm grip on her handler, freelance writer Michael Leaverton, whom she rescued from an alt weekly many meals ago. They live in San Diego.

Learn more about preventing cat anxiety at catster.com:

• Holiday Stress and Cats: Tips to Keep Your Kitty Calm at Every Age
• What Are the Signs of Stress in Cats?
• How to Help Your Cat Live a Life That’s Free of Anxiety

The post Stella Talks Fireworks by Michael Leaverton appeared first on Catster. Copying over entire articles infringes on copyright laws. You may not be aware of it, but all of these articles were assigned, contracted and paid for, so they aren't considered public domain. However, we appreciate that you like the article and would love it if you continued sharing just the first paragraph of an article, then linking out to the rest of the piece on Catster.com.