Phantom Felines And Other Ghostly Animals - Gerina Dunwich 2006

The Ghosts of the Snuggly Kitties
Phantom Felines

by Melissa Morris

This is a story of what turned out to be a great comfort to my sister. She and I have always believed that those who have passed before us, human and animal, may have occasion to visit from time to time.

She and her husband had just bought their first house together. Her husband worked third shift, which left her to spend many nights alone. She was a little concerned because before she and her husband were married, she had suffered a late-night break-in at her previous place of residence. Needless to say, spending nights alone was not her cup of tea.

During her first week at the new house, she decided she would work on her skills of controlling her fears through mind power. She would simply convince herself that she was safe and there was nothing to be afraid of. But, to her dismay, she had a terrible time going to sleep and often would get up and go into the living room, turn on the TV, and fall asleep on the couch.

Finally, after a few weeks of backaches and stiff joints, she decided to tackle the bed again. She decided that no matter what, she was going to get in that bed and sleep in it all night. With this new found sense of courage and determination, she shut out the light, crawled in the bed, and (against every fiber of her being) turned off the comforting night-light.

Within minutes, she was startled by the sensation of something small jumping on the bed and walking up toward her head. Moving at the speed of sound, she jumped up, flipped on the light, and picked up her hairbrush, ready to take out the intruder trying to be her bedfellow. But, nothing was there. Nothing! Quite disturbed at this point, more at herself than anything, she turned off the light and got back in bed. Again, thump, and then pitter-patter up the side of the bed. And, once again, she was up out of the bed, lights blazing, eyes wide, sweat beading, and hands shaking. Sure it’s possible to imagine something once, but twice? Thoroughly shaken now, she grabbed her pillow and blanket and retreated to the couch.

The next day, she decided to contact the seller of the house to inquire of his knowledge of these occurrences. To her surprise, he actually found the incident quite humorous. She, however, had not yet seen the hilarity of the situation. The gentleman went on to explain that the house had actually belonged to his mother and that she had lived there for the better part of fifty years. She also had a great love of cats! Many a kitty had lived long happy lives in that house and had succumbed to old age snuggled up beside their beloved caretaker. She had, in fact, mentioned to her son that she felt her feline friends would still pay visits to her, looking for her comfort and kindness. She always invited them up on the bed. After all, that’s where they loved to be anyway.

Armed with this new piece of knowledge, my sister decided that her visitors were indeed friends—not enemies. That night, she crawled in bed again—still a little apprehensive. And yet again, she felt the now familiar thump and then little feet walking up the bed. This time, she didn’t panic. She just remained still, speaking softly to her little friend. A few minutes later, she felt another thump and more feet. She said that she felt there were probably four or five little visitors that night. They simply found a place to nest, and then were still.

They came back the next night, and the night after. Pretty soon, my sister began to look forward to their company. They provided a great comfort to her while her husband was at work. In fact, the little guys lulled her to sleep with their little kitty snuggles.