Return of the Cat

5:54 am -- Instead of my alarm waking me up this morning, I was awakened by the yell of a small cat. It was the same cat from the other day and the same cat that has been meowing for the past few nights. However, this morning it was louder than the last couple of nights when I could just hear the noise coming from somewhere behind our building. After a few minutes, I decided to investigate.

Outside my room I found the cat hiding between a small refrigerator and the trashcan. His hollering became more muffled when his head was in the trashcan, and then he was silent for a moment as he chewed up some leftovers. After that, he was back to screaming at full volume.

Considering it was so early, I wanted to quiet him down so others could sleep. Patting his head didn't help, so I decided he needed to leave. I picked him up, gently holding him at a distance, and carried him downstairs. The door to outside was locked, and I didn't have the key with me. Please don't judge me for what I did next...

I very gently placed him in a large, empty, very clean (we usually use it to collect plastic bags) garbage can. Then I put the lid on it. I really do love animals. A little while later, I was able to put him outside. I'm hoping he gets the idea and decides not to come back because I don't know how patient everyone here at the dorm is going to be about being woken up each night by a screaming cat. We'll see...