I’ve worn the harness for a couple of weeks, but I still can’t say I like it. It seems every few days Mom takes it off me and then puts it right back on. She says I’m growing so fast that she has to adjust the strap that goes around my tummy. She also checks that she can put a couple of fingers in the strap around my neck. My first thought is that if a cat was designed to wear a harness, the darn thing should just grow with me. I’m also not sure I like the color. It’s purple. I think it should be red or bright blue to reflect the fact that I am a strong male kitten. I guess it could be worse; it could be pink!

I asked Fred if he has ever worn a harness. He looks over my head with a smile on his face as if he is remembering very good memories. Then his smile droops as he looks sad. There is clearly a story here that I want to hear. He lays down with his front legs out. I quietly lay down on his legs and ask him to tell me. “It was a long time ago. I had not lived with Mom and Dad for very long. Dad had adopted me from the animal shelter. Mom had sent him to look at a female terrier, and he brought me home instead. They had another dog named Jazzy. She was very beautiful and very sweet. She accepted me instantly. She even told me not to worry when we went to see the vet there. Mom had said we needed health certificates because we were going on a long trip.

“About a month later Mom loaded both of us into their Camper Van. Mom and Dad drove us all the way to the Washington coast at the Strait of San Juan de Fuca. After a long wait Dad drove us into a big dark part of a ferry boat. There were really strange noises and smells. Mom checked our food and water, and told us they would be back as soon as they could. I knew when the boat moved. I didn’t like the way it made me feel. It seemed like forever before Mom and Dad came back. They put us on leashes and we walked up and down beside lots of cars, trucks, and even other dogs. In what seemed like just a few minutes, they put us back in the van and left us there all night long, alone. I hated it. The next day Mom put on our harnesses, and we were allowed to walk outside of the ferry. I was not happy when we had to get back in the van. We would only get to see Mom and Dad a couple of times a day. Each night we were alone. Two days later Dad drove the van off the ferry. He stopped at a small park where we got to get out and go to the bathroom. Mom said we were driving the rest of the way to Anchorage, Alaska. She also said that we would have to wear our harnesses until we got back home. After that the only time we ever wore a harness was when Mom would tell us we were starting a long trip.” I wonder if she is planning another trip. I really hope it isn’t on a ferry boat.