Chaos Critter Tails: The Case of the Backyard Ghost

The Case of the Backyard Ghost

Dante came running into the living room with clatter of little puppy claws.

Beleth observed the six month old Miniature American’s approach. The running and jumping wasn’t unusual. Nor was the the rapid wagging of the little black stub of Dante’s tail. The rest of the white, black, and tan dog vibrated with excitement. Also typical…

What Dante said was a little more eclectic. “Beleth! There’s a ghost in the backyard! A big white ghost with a huge black mouth!”

Beleth’s furry Maine Coon Cat ears perked up, their tabby grey contrasting with the blue sofa. “A ghost, little guy? Assuming there’s any such thing, what would a ghost be doing in the backyard?”

The puppy was already bigger than him, but the cat knew being called a “little guy” didn’t bother Dante. Plus, he was Beleth’s “little brother” – the same way Aki, the tiny calico, was the big sister to both himself and Crokell, the huge, drooling Newfoundland dog that rounded out their family.

The Mini American flopped over and sighed as he tried to think. After all thinking is hard for excited puppies. When he spoke it was slow and ponderous unlike his previous excitement. “Maybe the ghost is looking for something?”

“Really?” Tilting his head, Beleth stared at Dante’s black spot on his forehead as if the spot would let him see into his friend’s brain. All of Dante’s littermates had all lost their dots. Or so Beleth had heard.

Dante jumped back up, a whirlwind of excitement again. “Do you think it wants my toy? Oh! Maybe it’ll play tug with me?”

Hoping down from the sofa, Beleth headed for the bedroom. “Come little brother. Let’s ask Aki. She’s been with the monkeys longest and is wise in the ways of their oddities.”

Beleth watch, impressed as Aki’s tiny white, brown, and orange body poofed in irritation. She looked twice as big as normal. “You woke me for what? You illiterate dogs. There are no such thing as ghosts.”

She settled back onto the pillows the monkeys kept at the head of the bed for her and began licking her paw in contempt.

Beleth ignored her calling him a dog. The monkeys called him “puppy-cat”. He didn’t mind. It was good to have the quickest response to a recall in the house. When the monkeys shouted “come” and he ran to them, he always got some dog kibble or other treat. So who cared what they called him? After all, he who eats the most treats, wins the day.

Beleth rubbed his nose on her before joining Dante on the floor. “You heard Her Empress. Let’s check with Crokell.”

Drool pooled the floor under the biggest brother’s head. “Let me think.”

Crokell thought. “What could it be?”

Dante tried thinking too. “What could it be?”

Beleth watched them both. “Am I the only sapient animal around here?”

Crokell didn’t have an answer. But he had an idea. “Hey! Try asking Professor Possum.”

Beleth’s eyes got big. “Professor Possum is kind of white. I wonder if Dante saw him?”

Heading for the backyard, Beleth avoided the puppy running full speed around him. Occasionally, Dante would wipe out and flail at the hardwood floors. But he was just a puppy. He was learning politeness, like Crokell had.

Shuddering, the big Maine Coon remembered the first few times the Newfie had licked him. It had taken both monkeys and three towels to dry him. I like water but that was drool.

In the backyard, Professor Possum wasn’t immediately visible.

But Mr. Hoppers was out and about. “Hello Beleth. New addition? Visiting or permanent?”

“Hello Mr. Hoppers. This is Dante. It appears he’s permanent. The bigger monkey says it’s only while he keeps his forehead dot. But nobody believes him.”

Dante crept forward. “Who’s this?”

Beleth cat-laughed as the Mini American tried to sniff at Mr. Hoppers. This kicked in the jump reflect. Which triggered Dante’s herding instinct. “Dante, this is Mr. Hoppers. Mr. Hoppers, this is Dante. I apologize for him. He is still… rude.”

Watching, Beleth could see Mr. Hoppers bravely fighting another urge to jump. The frog listened as Beleth, with occasional help from Dante, explained about the white ghost with the big dark mouth.

Mr. Hoppers’ throat pulsed.

Oh no, thought Beleth, he’s going to take forever to think about it, like Crokell and Dante.

Mercifully, Beleth was wrong.

Mr. Hoppers quickly replied. “Haven’t seen. Haven’t heard. No ghost. Ask Professor Possum.”

He croaked and pointed to where the small grey mammal was making his way along the fence.

The two brothers scampered over to the fence. Beleth politely hailed their neighbor. “Professor Possum! Do you have a moment please?”

Professor Possum’s little, laughing eyes peering down at the Maine Coon and the Mini American. “Why hello my friend. What brings you out tonight?”

“Sir, my new brother, Dante, says he saw a white ghost with a dark mouth out here. Have you seen one too?”

This time, Professor Possum’s laughter was in his voice as well as his eyes. “No. I have not seen a ghost. However, I suspect I know who you mean. She should be along shortly.”

Beleth watched Professor Possums bare tail disappear across the fence. He could still hear the laughter.

Dante tilted his head at Beleth. “What do you think he meant?”

An new, unexpected voice answered Dante from above Beleth’s head. “He meant me!”

Dante’s cry of “the ghost” plastered Beleth’s ears to his head.

“Little brother, calm down. She’s not a ghost. She’s a cat.”

He looked up. “Nice to meet you, ma’am. Dante, say hello.”

Beleth shook his head and laughed as Dante looked up, automatically sitting as he did so. But the puppy greeted their new friend well enough. “Hello. Are you a cat burglar? Are you after my toys? Or do you want to play tug?”

Far above them, the cat on the fence froze. Only her tail moved.

Then the white cat laughed. “Cat Burglar? Little puppy, you may call me that. I like that as a name. But, no. I am not here to either steal your toys or play tug. I may, however, be persuaded to play other games.”

Dante was off like a shot. “Oh boy! Okay. Hang on, I’m getting Crokell.”

Beleth and the other cat looked at each other. In unison, they spoke. “Dogs.”

Back inside, Beleth, Dante, and Crokell got to meet Cat Burglar, who remained outside.

Watching Cat Burglar, Beleth said to Dante. “I think she likes Crokell best. But it’s good to have another friend in the neighborhood.”

Dante flopped onto the smaller monkey’s lap. “Uh-huh. New friends are fun. But I think I need a nap now.”

Smiling, Beleth settled onto the back of the couch. He watched the big, black Newfie and the little, white cat play for a while. It was a pleasant night for a haunting.