Читать книгу How to Hide Your Cat from the Landlord: A Practical and Spiritual Guide to Living in Harmony with a Compatible Feline in Smaller Spaces - Jasmine Kinnear - Страница 7

Jasmine’s Story of Feline Concealment

My experience with feline concealment began when I rented a small house from my friend’s parents who lived several miles away. Fortunately the subject of pets was never discussed when the house was first viewed. I thought the less said the better and with no contract signed I was accepted as the new tenant. I introduced my three pet cats and was finally able to provide my hidden treasures with additional freedom of movement in a larger space.

As a writer of artistic temperament I confess to periods of time when I am overly sensitive. Therefore never knowing when the Landlord would intrude upon our privacy I was always prepared. As the years passed I knew chances were the presence of my cats would eventually be realized. However due to continued diligence and careful precautions over a 30-year span of residing in apartments, condos and duplexes this fear never materialized. Even during the transfer of ownership of our home and the additional stress of new Landlords we were never discovered.

Although some may view this presentation as deceitful this isn’t how I have chosen to live my life. I was faced with a set of circumstances and simply could not bear losing my cats. Therefore I considered myself blessed and was prepared to live within my limited boundaries. While the Landlord was never aware of my cats I spent a great deal of time enduring additional costs in caring for the house. The previous tenants had been evicted because they were selling drugs from the premises. As a result even though the Landlord had known me for many years I was aware that the neighbors were watching my home carefully. I kept the outside grounds well maintained and the property clean never providing my neighbors with any cause to complain.

Inside, my house was immaculately clean and the carpets remained sanitary. Guests to our home were questioned if they were able to detect the presence of my cats. I was usually informed that there was no visible evidence typical of felines residing in a house. My cats provided such wealth to my life that although there was additional work I have never regretted my decision. Despite the stress I believe residing with my beloved cats gave my life greater purpose and they were well worth any additional expense. I was a single mother with very little money. However my rent was always paid on time and I never complained about anything that needed to be addressed on the property. If I wasn’t able to make a repair myself then I paid for a professional and never troubled my Landlord.

Yes, I hid my cats. Despite how challenging the life of a single mother may become my cats were my salvation and my life would have been empty without them. In appreciation for my Landlord’s trust I was the model tenant. Over time as that trust became established my Landlord remained comfortable with our rental agreement and I was seldom contacted. Considering I was not following all the rules I always made sure they were pleased with every aspect of my tenancy.

After five years I was comfortable within my rental surroundings to begin my life’s purpose of breeding purebred felines. Over many years my cattery produced countless litters of kittens with several stud males and many breeding queens. I encountered few problems despite the number of felines living within our premises. My good fortune is credited to always being prepared, organized and never providing my Landlord with any reason to complain. Therefore I am addressing this subject as both a Feline Behavior Consultant and Registered Cat Breeder having acquired years of experience by living with felines in seclusion.

~~With the qualities of cleanliness, affection, patience, dignity and courage that cats have, how many of us, I ask you, would be capable of becoming cats?~~ Fernand Mery