Always Free February 2013 - Pets in the City Magazine

26 February 2013 Pets In The City Magazine
Love, the Second Time Around Continued...
ear showing, the footies trailing on the floor.
“What’s the plan?” Julien ignored the trendy slobs while he motioned
over a gecko in glasses wearing an apron.
Tiger excitedly explained that they were going to hit up the ‘second time
around’ Valentines extravaganza, and then head over to the lake for
some midnight fishing.
“I thought you said you had a ‘hook-up’ for me?” asked Julien, as he
ordered a cream lite.
“Yeah, my sister’s co-worker is single, and she’ll be there too!” Tiger
assured him.
Julien gulped his beverage, and the group went to the party.
The rendezvous was set in an abandoned warehouse by the pier – a
place Julien usually avoided. Too many cats ended up ‘downriver.’ As
Julien entered the backdoor, he noticed candlelight and balloons.
“Yeah, it must be Valentine’s,” he growled, to no one in
particular, but a couple of mice in a shoebox raised their
glasses and squeaked in agreement.
Crates and boxes and benches
were arranged in a semi-circle
facing a makeshift stage
where a bluegrass band
fiddled and strummed.
Every kind of animal was in
attendance. Julien saw beavers
and dogs, hamsters and porcupines,
and even a few foxes. Foxes tend to
keep to themselves, but some are
adventurous.
In any case, the atmosphere was
warm and accepting, and Julien began
to relax with his new friends. After
about twenty minutes, an officiallooking
aardvark lumbered onto the
stage and asked for everyone’s
attention.
“Females and males…it is
my pleasure to introduce
the star of the evening,
an owl who needs no
introduction – Rachel!”
Julien was shocked to see the owl from
this morning enter from behind the curtain.
She was still wearing her red scarf, as well as a glowing
ruby necklace.
Nervously, she approached center stage and hooted, “Good evening.
Thank you for having us. This is dedicated to all the lovers-to-be,” to
the crowd. She nodded to her band in the corner, a weasel, a raccoon,
and a pot-bellied pig, and raised her wings. Julien’s heart stopped.
The band launched into a thumping version of every romantic
hit since music was invented. At least that’s what Julien heard. He
couldn’t take his eyes off Rachel, fluttering and warbling about the
stage. When she strutted, he grinned. When she crooned, he cried.
When she laughed, he laughed. Finally, the set ended and the band
took a break.
Tiger grabbed Julien’s shoulder, “That’s my sister’s friend – isn’t she
great?”
Julien nodded, “You know her?” as Tiger led him toward the back of
the stage.
“You want to meet her?” Tiger asked.
“Yeah,” Julien nodded.
“Even though she’s an owl?” Tiger raised an eyebrow.
“Definitely.”
Rachel was seated at a vanity with lots of colorful lights.
She nervously adjusted her scarf when Julien and Tiger
walked in.
“Oh!” she gasped. “It’s you!”
“You’re Rachel, right?” Julien stammered.
Tiger looked at them both and smiled and
ducked into the hallway.
“I’m sorry if I was rude this morning,”
said Rachel, half-hiding her beak behind
her wing.
“I’m more comfortable on stage than in
person…”
“That’s okay – I don’t normally talk to
anybody,” Julien admitted. “I really liked your
show…”
“Thanks,” Rachel said. “Listen, can I take you up on that
offer and join you out front?”
“I would love that,” Julien said, grinning.
Paw in wing, they headed to a table. “I like
your cowlick,” said Rachel.
“Thanks,” Julien glowed.