squeaky goes on a field trip

We're currently in the midst of Ramadan, where muslims fast from dawn until dusk. On the weekends, people at our local masjid host iftars, meals to break the fast. It's generally a festive occasion spent with friends and family.

AbuS (my husband) and I were getting ready to head out to iftar on Sunday when dun dun dun, the fire alarm in our building went off. Being 2 responsible pet parents, we couldn't leave our beloved kitty behind, even though there was a 99.9999999999% chance that it was just some silly kids who pulled the alarm as a prank.

Now Squeaky loves her carrier, so itâ€[emoji]8482[/emoji]s not a problem getting her in. She loves sleeping in it, and will easily go in when told (thanks to AbuSâ€[emoji]8482[/emoji] training). It's her cat cave. Itâ€[emoji]8482[/emoji]s only once we actually pick it up that she senses “uh oh, weâ€[emoji]8482[/emoji]re going to the car,†and then the cat doth protesteth too much.

Letâ€[emoji]8482[/emoji]s just say sheâ€[emoji]8482[/emoji]s not a fan of cars and lets us know at the top of her little lungs. Sheâ€[emoji]8482[/emoji]s only been in the car with us 4 times – once coming home from the humane society, twice for the vet and then yesterday. And each time itâ€[emoji]8482[/emoji]s the same “meow! meow! meow meow meowwwwwwwwwwww!!!!!!!†Trying to soothe her with kind words and petting doesnâ€[emoji]8482[/emoji]t work, nor does bribing her with treats. So the best we can do is put the peddle to the metal (to the speed limit of course), and get it done as fast as possible.

And thus, I ended up with my plate o food sitting on the pavement outside the masjid. I would have taken her inside, but it's way to crowded and loud. There were less people outside, including quite a few kids who were staring at the kitty.

Thinking theyâ€[emoji]8482[/emoji]d like to pet her, I foolishly opened the carrier and sproing!!! Out pops the Squeaky. Stupid of me, I know. She wanted to go out and explore. What was the point of taking a horrible car ride if all she got at the end was to sit in her carrier and stare out at the world through tiny bars?

Alas, I had not thought to bring her harness and leash, so I managed to grab her (she hadn't gotten more than a foot away) and shove her back in (and got a taste of the typical cat experience vis a vi carriers), and finished my plate with her meowing pitifully at my side. Not your usual iftar

I did manage to do some good cat dawah however. Dawah is explaining islam to people. In this case, I explained cats to muslims I think I planted a cat loving seed in a few kids, and let the parents know about our rescue, in case they ever want to adopt

Aww, poor Squeaky - but I bet she loved being with mom. I thought there was a lovely story about the Prophent Mohammed and his cat? That rather than disturbing her napping on the sleeve of his robe, he cut off the sleeve?

I also liked that the M on a tabby's head can also be linked to Mohammed, or the Blessed Virgin Mary - seems like blessings all around!

It's one of my favorite stories, although it is apocryphal. Haven't been able to track it back to it's original arabic source.

One of the companions of the Prophet (saws) was known by the nickname Abu Huraira, father of the little kitten. Since childhood, he would often be seen in the company of his beloved cats. And, since Abu Huraira was often in the company of the Prophet (saws), it's safe to assume the Prophet (saws) was around cats often as well

Aww, but sometimes the stories are so lovely, they just should be true, even if it's just a fable.

Wow, I'm sure glad she didn't make it any farther that a few feet!

I am often amazed at the ignorance of cats among children today. I always try to bring a kitten out and let the children pet it if I see some children in the lobby at the shelter. Many of them have never touched a cat. Purring to them is a complete miraculous mystery. And if they are lucky enough to get licked, almost never did they know what was meant by a "sandpaper tongue" before.

aw kitty field trips...
My kitty Joey had a field trip one day...without me knowing! He loved to sleep in the stroller I keep in the kitchen for my daycare. He was about 8 to 10 weeks old or so. I took the child I was watching out for a walk bc he was fussy. We got outside, down the block and back. The little boy ended up screaming bloody murder because it was nap time and he wanted help and not to be in the stroller. I picked him up and was carrying him and pushing the stroller.
As I got back to the driveway area, I heard a very loud indignant kitten meow. I walked around the neighbors garage and propane tank, looking for a kitten (strays hang out around here a lot and it sounded like a baby). I was about to give up and leave the stroller by outside by the cars so I could get the little boy inside, when I look in the bottom of the stroller and see baby Joey half standing in the bottom of the stroller staring at me and crying. He had NO clue where he was or why he was outside and being pushed around!
I could have cried as I thought about what I would have done had he gotten lost or run away. I have been so attached to this kitten since I got him, and I ran to him and grabbed him trying to juggle both him and the child until I could get them both inside safe!! He still slept in the bottom of the stroller but I have ALWAYS checked it since )