Tom Pettie and the Free Cat

There is an adage which states that "art imitates life." These stories began with our own cats and an outdoor male we named Tom Pettie. Laura chose the name based on a line from Mary Jane's Last Dance by Tom Petty, which goes, "Take me as I come 'cause I can't stay long." The line totally sums up Tom Pettie, who loves anybody who will rub his tummy as he rolls on his back. When he has your undivided attention, he simply gets up and saunters away, looking for his next gig. He is an outdoor pet with a collar, but he enjoys making the rounds on the "Green," which is the pocket park where our houses circle. The other cats belong to me, my son, and my daughter-in-law. Tom breezes in and out of our lives daily with his carefree and fun-loving nature. He shares his philosophy with our indoor cats by showing them that life is simple: be kind, generous, and brave. The experiences the cats share are filled with challenges, but by following Tom's suggestions, they discover simple solutions and manage to learn a lesson along the way. Enjoy the adventures Tom shares with his compadres as they explore the world from the cats' unique perspectives.To err is human, to purr is feline. (Robert Byrne)