Danger! Danger!

I was snuggled in bed, book in hand, pillows behind my back, cozy socks on feet. Ike had settled in next to me, purring gently and gazing at me admiringly. (I love that cat.) It was heaven, pure heaven.

Then all hell broke loose. In one quick moment, all of our brood of cats pounded up the stairs and under the bed. It sounded like a herd of cattle or small children scurrying up the steps to safety. Cynical and I were both startled and immediately tried to figure out what disrupted our happy abode.

Ike, feeling as if maybe he’d missed some eminent danger, sauntered off the bed lazily and joined the other scaredy cats, not quite sure what he was supposed to be afraid of. I lifted the blanket to see four sets of eyes gazing at me. Everyone was puffed up, fur standing on end.

I left the frightened “children” under the bed in an effort to find the lone ranger kitty, Cooper. He was crouched beneath a chair, puffed out as well, carefully keeping an eye on everything around him. (He’s a chubby kitty and maybe just didn’t make it up the stairs to safety in time or maybe he was just the lookout. I don’t know what kind of arrangement they have worked out. Apparently they don’t have a “no cat left behind” pact.) I finally managed coaxed him out, but he never quite trusted me all evening, even after I found myself saying, “Come here, Coopie, Momma would never let anything happen to you.” (It’s official, I am the cat lady.)

We still don’t know what happened, but I am starting to wonder if I should have gotten under the bed too. Exactly what was after us?

Wait a minute, I couldn’t fit under the bed, with all of those shoes, purses and boxes of treasures, there just wouldn’t be any room. I guess I’d have to defend the bed alone. Cooper could be my lookout.