Tortoises? Yes. Monkeys? Yes. Giraffes? Yes. Big Cats? Yes. Theo, the gangster cat, is curious about all of them. But . . . let him spend a few minutes with birds or in a bird sanctuary and you have given Theo a one way ticket to heaven.
What? Cats and birds? I know what you're thinking. I love cats and I love birds, too. In fact, I'm a card carrying member of the Audubon Society. Does Theo feel the same way? Probably not. It's a species thing. Call it natural instinct.
Nevertheless, sanctuary birds are safe. They are sequestered from animals and humans, but Theo can see them and smell them and watch them.
At home, Theo will spend hours looking out our supersized patio door watching birds. We have robins, bluejays, cardinals mostly flying about and perching and tiptoeing on the patio itself. Sometimes these little flying bits of magic get so close to where Theo is waiting, I don't think they even realize that only a heavy duty screen is keeping them from being pounced on and loved to death.
Theo, for his part, is super quiet. Most often he's hunched down, his focus like a laser beam, cutting through the air, aimed at his victim, ah hem, I mean aimed at a flying friend.
So we're going to a bird sanctuary to see nothing but birds--unusual and exotic birds, well, that beats even a snack.
As we're walking toward the sanctuary, I spell out the rules to this little gangster. No bird attacking, eating, bullying.
"Remember, we're guests here. Very special guests. We must be on our best behavior."
Is he even listening? He's so focused on getting there, he's literally bouncing along beside me.
Then we're sidetracked. Dan spots a sign for a King Vulture. Outdoor cage. And there King Vulture is in all his magnificence. Theo seems to have no fear. He marches up to the oversized enclosed area and stares in. I'm more worried about Theo's survival at this point than the bird's. A cat versus a vulture?
My imagination takes over. What if that vulture finds some way of escaping from that oversized cage? Is there even a top to this cage? I clearly remember being in a zoo in Lisbon where the cages had no tops. Monkeys were free to come out of the cage at will and swing around on the branches of the trees as unsuspecting visitor was walking along. That freaked me out.
It's all about expectation--monkeys are supposed to be in cages, not dangling above your head, touching your hair, as you walk along.
I crane my neck and look up. Yes, there is a top to this cage. I tell myself there is no way that this vulture can fly out. So, let Theo wander as close as he wants.
"This is a King Vulture," I manage to croak out, tamping down my worry. "They can live up to 40 years, Theo."
Theo steps even closer as if he intends to check out the amount of wrinkles on this vulture's face.
"Isn't he beautiful?" I point out. The colors are magnificent. But then I remember cats can't see all that many colors.
Nothing much happens at first. The vulture stares at Theo, and Theo stares at the vulture. I'm ready to rescue Theo if that vulture makes one move closer, but he doesn't. I'm hoping he'll open up his wings.
I should have been more focused on Theo. He's the one that makes the first dangerous move. He puts his paw right up to the screen and keeps it there. At first I think it's stuck, similar to when his nails get stuck on our patio screen at home. But he's not stuck. He's reaching out.
King Vulture is watching. Probably imagining Theo in some fancied roast cat dinner. What if that vulture puts one of his talons through the screen? I step closer. The holes are pretty small. Would that even be possible?
Theo is not concerned. His paw is there--a kind of welcoming sign--as he sniffs the air.
We wait (and trust me I'm ready to whisk Theo up at the slightest sign of danger.)
In the movies the vulture would have come closer. But this is real life, and that vulture is more than content to stand his ground further back. Finally, Theo takes his paw down. I feel bad.
"You tried," I whisper. "Remember you can only control your own behavior. You're getting more like Chucky everyday. Mr. Ambassador."
Theo is not nostalgic. He shrugs, "Mom, I do what I have to do."
And that's okay.
STAY TUNED TO PART II WHEN THEO ACTUALLY VISITS A BIRD SANCTUARY!
