Susie eyes a loving, permanent home

I HUNT. For a cat, it’s natural. When I see a bird lost in a bush, I cannot help it. It gives me pleasure, although I don’t usually eat what I hunt. I live on what humans don’t want and decide to give me. Don’t get me wrong, I have my own shelter and there’s always something to eat. I don’t starve, if that’s what you’re thinking.

Hunting humans is a totally different game. I spend a lot of time observing them without being seen. I call them. I brush past them with my hair, mark them. You have to be careful. They are good hunters. They are big and strong, and use objects to attack. They are consistent. They go out every day, and come back home with what they’ve killed. There must be a big hunting ground somewhere, with turkeys, hens, cows and sheep. I don’t care, as long as they share the spoils with me.

A curious-looking girl, who stays with a neighbour, has started to feed me ‘duck’ with gravy these days. She comes from a faraway country, and smells of cigarettes, garlic and spices. She calls me her only friend. If I wander around her place, I can eat once a day.

I’m not so sure about the humans who live with her. The bigger human guards his territory like a lion and the house is always full of food smells. The other day I saw the front door had opened and put my forepaws slightly in as the smell was too tempting. Suddenly the floor shook with a thunder and I saw the bigger human coming towards me with a ladle in his hand. I ran my tail off because I cannot possibly fight with a lion and expect to win. The lioness, who was a friend of my owner before she died, doesn’t mind me much but still doesn’t want me in her territory.

I go to my shelter to sleep when it’s dark, and I spend most of my time outside alone. I like it here with no competitors around. I like bathing in the sun, and I don’t mind getting wet a little bit when it rains.

When the shelter is locked until late, I go to my new friend’s house and call her. She comes out and brushes my hair with her hand, but still doesn’t let me in. I’d say she would if she could.

I think she loves me. Not many cats have a South Korean friend. Soyeong Ryu, Dublin

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