by Shell Martin

Created on: December 10, 2008   Last Updated: January 04, 2009

CAT GOT YOUR TONGUE

Ever heard the proverb about how the "cat got your tongue"? Usually it is referenced when people are at a loss for words or simply do not want to speak. The following is a different take on this old proverb. Although, it is hysterically funny and sounds like something out of a movie, it is entirely a true story.

Dave is eating cheesy doritos as the kitten is crawling up and down his chest. Of course, Dave is paying no mind to the little black furball that in his mind, is merely spending time with us. Time, growing up to be healthy enough to find a forever home.

This little black furball and her brother had been rescued from under a house. The homeowner had heard kittens crying but could not find them. Three days went by before the kittens were located under the house. Momma cat was nowhere to be found and five kittens, of the litter of seven, had already died by the time of the rescue. The homeowner is desperation turned to his neighbor who in then, turned to us. We were suckers for helping little animals. We had just finished weaning and finding homes for two other kittens so we agreed to take these two malnourished babies. Both were so small, black and fuzzy.

Now they had their eyes open and were beginning to explore their surroundings, although they were still very tiny. They could be placed safely in the palm of your hand, they were so small.

Dave was refusing to get attached to these little babies, but the female had taken a particular liking to us. Anyone who knows cats, understands, that often a cat chooses the human. She chose us and so it was only fair to give the poor thing a name. We have now been Tasha's humans for 18 years.

Back to the story. As Tasha plays on Dave, she becomes more curious of what he is eating. She is still being bottle fed but curiosity is getting the better of her. She begins sniffing around Dave's mouth. He is laughing and pointing. Then for some reason he opens his mouth. Tasha in her curious way begins to sniff inside his mouth, on Dave's tongue. She puts her entire head and front shoulders in his mouth! He is trying not to laugh, but undertands that this is hysterical.

Then everything goes to slow motion and turns into something like in a cartoon. Dave lets out a yelp and grabs Tasha's body. He begins to yank her out of his mouth but, she is attached to his tongue by her teeth! Dave pulls his tongue back in his mouth with the cat body still attached. Then in some desperate, twisted, spitting action, he sticks his tongue back out trying to pry her little sharp kitten teeth from his tongue. His tongue is bleeding. Of course, hysterical laughter and stomach holding is all that can be done. The situation is far too funny and cartoon like. With tears streaming down my face, and in between fits of hysterics, I stammer, "Cat got your tongue"?
It brought a whole new meaning to "Cat got your tongue"?

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