" LITTLE JOE AND THE SHAGS "
Part two
By: Lynne G.
The four kittens grew even larger in a short period of time, and they turned out to be the best mousers that the Cartwrights had ever seen before, plus they were also the family's beloved pets.
Little Joe had named each kitten and those names were, Nemo, Sam, Kitty and Rusty. Even Hop Sing loved the kittens and he didn't care if they were in the house or not. The kittens also protected Hop Sing's chickens, and the chickens seemed to realize this and they didn't mind it when the kittens came into their pen.
One warm summer afternoon, Little Joe had been playing in the yard with the kittens, when he decided that he was really hot, so he he climbed into the water trough. The cool water felt very nice and cool on his hot skin.
He was having a great time kicking his his little legs in the water, splashing water in every direction and he was giggling like crazy. The kittens stood there watching their little owner and they were trilling and chirping at him.
" Come in da water wiv me kitties, cuz da water feels so good," Little Joe told the kitties.
The boy stopped kicking his legs, and the kitties jump into the trough with Little Joe, and they were paddling in the water which was making the little boy giggle even more. Rusty and Kitty stood on the child's legs, while Nemo and Sam were standing on Little Joe's chest. Nemo began to headbutt Little Joe's face and then he licked the child's face while purring. The cats were enjoying the cool water as much as the little boy was.
While the fun in the trough continued, Adam and Hoss rode into the yard, and when they noticed the cats in the trough with their little brother, they were very surprised.
" Hey Adam, are ya seein' what I'm seein'? Them cats are in the water with little brother ! I ain't never seen cats that like water," Hoss said as he still couldn't believe what he was seeing. " You're right about that Hoss. I've never seen cats play in the water like that either," Adam replied.
" Hey little brother, whatcha doin' in the water with them cats?" Hoss asked. " We's justa stayin' cool Hoss, and dem kitties wuv ta play in water too," Little Joe declared.
" Well, have fun now," Adam said as he and Hoss went into the house, both laughing.
" Hi
As soon as Ben saw his little son and the four cats playing in the water trough, he couldn't believe his eyes either. " Oh my goodness ! What are those cats doing in the water Little Joe?" Ben questioned.
" Hi ya Papa. We's a playin' in da water and habin' fun!" Little Joe announced. As Ben stood there smiling, he said, " So I can see. Did you put the kitties in the water?" " Uh, no Papa. Daz dun jumped in da water on their own Papa. Daz wuv ta play in the water too !" Little Joe explained.
Hop Sing soon joined the rest of the Cartwrights in the yard, and he too was having a hard time believing what he saw in the trough. " Mr. Cartlight, why cats in water trough with little boy? Hop Sing asked. Ben told him that the cats liked to play in water as much as Little Joe did. " Not believe if not see with own eyes," Hop Sing replied as he smiled at the sight of the little boy and the four large kittens in the water.
After about an hour later, Little Joe and the cats got out of the water. Little Joe watched as the cats shook themselves, so he did the same thing and he was giggling. Then he started to run around the yard, giggling while the cats chased him, and they were trilling as they ran after the little boy.
Later that evening, the cats were stampeding through the house with their little owner right along with them. Then Little Joe would head off in a different direction and the cats would go after him. Loud giggling and the trilling of the cats could be heard all through the house.
" It sounds like a stampede in here. Those cats sure make a lot of noise when they run, not to mention little brother too," Adam said as he watched the stampede racing around and he was smiling. " Yes they do and so does your little brother. I thank God everyday for those cats, and how much your little brother loves them, and the way the cats love that boy," Ben replied as he too, was enjoying watching his baby boy and his cats having a good time.
That night, Little Joe chose Nemo to sleep with him, while Rusty, Kitty and Sam spent the night in the barn on mouse duty. Little Joe's cats were very protective of the little boy.
When Ben went up to check on his youngest son, on his way to his room for the night, he smiled at the sight of his little boy and Nemo, who had his head on Little Joe's pillow.
As soon as Nemo heard Ben walk into the room, he trilled at Ben. Ben walked over to the bed to kiss his baby boy and to pat Nemo on the head. " You take good care of my baby, Nemo," Ben told the cat. Nemo looked at Ben and he chirped back to Ben. Those cats were always impressing Ben.
One day Emma brought over a large amount of freshly picked blueberries, which she gave Hop Sing so he could do some baking with them. She had also given Hop Sing several blueberry plants so he could plant them in the family's berry patch.
Emma had also brought over a small basket with blueberries for Little Joe to eat. " Little Joe be very happy to taste blueberries. Very nice of missy to bring family blueberries, and plants for Hop Sing to plant. Hop Sing very thankful for kindness," Hop Sing told Emma. " You are very welcome Hop Sing. Anytime you want blueberries, just come over and help yourself to as many as you need," Emma told Hop Sing.
Suddenly both Emma and Hop Sing heard the thundering paws of the cats and the little feet of one little boy running into the house. " Here come mischief !" Hop Sing said as he laughed.
Little Joe and his cats came running into the livingroom, and stopped as soon as he saw Emma standing there smiling at him. " Hi ya Emma !" the boy shouted. " Hi honey," Emma replied.
She had to laugh at the sight of the dirty little boy and his cats. " Little Joe, I brought you some blueberries," Emma said. Little Joe gasped, and he said, " Ya did? Oh fank ya ma'am."
As soon as Little Joe put a large juicy blueberry in his mouth and he slowly began to chew it, his big green eyes opened wide and he smiled at Emma and he mumbled, " Daz so good and juicy. I's wuv em !"
" I knew you would honey. Now don't forget, you can have as many as you want. Just have your Papa, brothers or Hop Sing bring you over anytime," Emma told the child. " I's will ma'am. Fank ya," the little boy said as blueberry juice began to run down his dirty little face. Emma thought again to herself at what a beautiful little boy he was. " He's the cutest little boy I have ever seen, even cuter than my own two boy's were when they were little boys."
" Little Joe, how are your kitties doing?" Emma asked. " Oh daz doin' just dandy Emma. I's wuv em so much. Fank ya again fer my kitties," the little boy said. " You are so very welcome Little Joe," Emma replied.
The Cartwrights loved the blueberry muffins, cakes, pies and pancakes that Hop Sing had made with the blueberries that Emma had brought over. Hop Sing was also very happy with the blueberries as well, and he couldn't wait until the blueberry plants that Emma had given him, produced blueberries of their own.
Little Joe did go over to the Pearson's to get blueberries with Hop Sing. He loved to walk through the long paths in the blueberry fields. Emma always went with him as did many of the Shags. Little Joe loved blueberries and he decided that they were his favorite berry.
Over several visits between the Cartwrights and the Pearsons, Fred and Emma had told them about some of the legends behind the Shags which the Cartwrights found very interesting, especially the legend behind Marie Antoinette and Captain Clough, and her royal longhaired cats.
Another day, it was raining, so Little Joe was in the house all day. He played fetch with the cats for a while, then he decided to play with his indians, soldiers, and their horses.
While he playing, Rusty and Sam each decided to steal a soldier. " Hey come back wiv my soldiers ya guys !" Little Joe shouted as he raced after the cats, who each had a soldier in their mouths.
Hop Sing was busy baking cookies when the two Shags raced into the kitchen followed by a brown curly haired little boy. Hop Sing could see a soldier in each of the cat's mouth, and he smiled. He stood still to let the cats and Little Joe run past him and back out of the kitchen. He had to laugh outloud at what he had just seen. " Look like Little Joe's cats get into mischief too," he thought to himself.
Ben had been sitting there reading his newspaper, until he heard Little Joe shout at Rusty and Sam. He folded his paper in half and laid it down on his chair just after he had stood up.
Suddenly, Kitty picked up Ben's newspaper and he started to run after Rusty and Sam and Little Joe. As soon as Ben saw Kitty with his newspaper, he shouted, " Kitty, bring that paper back here!" Ben then followed Kitty, hoping to get his newspaper back. Hop Sing was laughing so hard at the happenings from the livingroom, that he ended up holding his stomach. " Much silliness today!" he laughed.
In the mean time, Nemo went over to Little Joe's indians and he picked up an indian in his mouth and he carried it over to one of the rugs near the front door, and he put the indian under the rug. Then he went back over to get another indian, and he carried it back over to the rug, and he put it under the rug with the other indian. Several minutes later, every indian, soldier, and their horses, were under every rug in the livingroom and dining room.
Little Joe finally caught up to Rusty and Sam. Both cats flopped over onto their sides and looked up at Little Joe and trilled at him.
Soon Kitty joined them and he dropped Ben's newspaper next to the two soldiers that Rusty and Sam had taken. Kitty also flopped over onto his side and he too looked at the winded little boy who was now giggling at the cats.
Ben stood next to his son and looked at the cats and he too was laughing at the way the cats were laying there as if nothing had happened.
" Dem kitties are so funny Papa," Little Joe said as he continued to giggle. " They sure are sweetheart. Just what we need, four furry mischief makers to go along with a small curly haired, green eyed mischief maker too." Ben declared as he continued to laugh.
Ben picked up his newspaper that had teeth marks on it, while Little Joe rescued his soldiers, and they headed back downstairs, followed by Rusty, Sam and Kitty.
" Papa, all my soldiers, injuns and horses is all gone !" Little Joe shouted. Ben looked at his little son, and replied, " How could they be gone? I know Hop Sing wouldn't take them." " Oh Papa, they dun wented away !" the child added sadly.
Ben looked around the room, and then he saw Nemo flopped over onto his side looking ever so cute, and he smiled, because he knew that Nemo must have taken Little Joe's toys.
" Sweetheart, I think you better ask Nemo what he did with your toys," Ben suggested as he chuckled. Little Joe looked over at a flopped Nemo, smiled and said, " Nemo where's my toys?" Nemo trilled back at Little Joe, which sounded like, " huh?"
About that time, Hop Sing walked out of the kitchen to ask Ben if he would like a some freshly made coffee, when he noticed all the lumpy looking rugs.
" What wrong with rugs? They all lumpy looking !" Hop Sing explained. A confused Ben questioned Hop Sing as Hop Sing pointed to one of the rugs.
" What the heck?" Ben declared. Ben walked over to one of the rugs, and lifted it up to see what was under it and he started to laugh as soon as he spotted an indian, a horse and two soldiers hiding under the rug. " Little Joe, here's some of your toys. Looks like Nemo hid them !" Ben said as he was now laughing loudly.
Little Joe walked over to look. " My toys !" he gasped. He was very happy that his toys had been found.
Soon all the indians, soldiers and horses had been rescued from under the rugs. Hop Sing, Ben and Little Joe looked at Nemo and the other cats, and Hop Sing stated, " Cats very funny !"
When Adam and Hoss returned home, Ben told them about all the mischief the cats had been into that afternoon. " Oh great, looks like little brother taught them how to get into mischief," Adam said as he was chuckling. " Ron said the Shags love to get into silly mischief," Hoss told Ben.
" That's what I decided Hoss, but then with Little Joe's mischief too, it sure makes life around here even more interesting," Ben stated.
" I wish I could have seen you and Little Joe chasing the cats all over the house," Adam declared. " I bet we looked silly chasing those Shags everywhere," Ben said as he grinned. " Those cats are sure characters," both Adam and Hoss added.
During dinner, Little Joe wanted the cats to come over and get under the table so he could give them the food he didn't want. The cats were taught to stay away from the table while the family ate, Little Joe wasn't too happy about that.
Another day, Ron and Max came over to the Ponderosa to meet up with Adam and Hoss. They had planned to do some fishing and swimming that day. Adam and Hoss decided to take Little Joe with them to give Ben and Hop Sing a much needed break from the curly haired mischief
maker. Hop Sing had made a big picnic for the boys to have while they enjoyed their day at the lake.
The boys fished part of the time and they also swam too. Of course, Little Joe's cats followed along, and they also enjoyed the cool water of the lake on the hot day.
" Hey, if'n we dunt eat soon, I'm gonna fall right over !" Hoss declared. " Uh oh, can't let that happen. Hoss is always hungry !" Adam stated. Everyone laughed at that. " I can't help it. I'm justa growin' boy !" Hoss explained, which made everyone laugh even more.
The boy's were really enjoying the picnic that Hop Sing had made for them. They talked about all kinds of things and laughed a lot too.
Several minutes later, Hoss realized that they hadn't heard anything from Little Joe, so he looked over towards the child, smiled and said, " Adam, little brother is sound to sleep."
All the boys looked over at the sleeping child and smiled. " He sure is," Adam replied as he got up and went over to cover up the child, who had his thumb in his mouth. The cats were curled next to the sleeping boy.
" When your baby brother goes to sleep, he sure goes fast," Ron said as he smiled at the little boy. " He sure is a cute little boy," Max stated. " Thank you. That he is, and he can use that to charm his way out most mischief too. He sure loves those cats of his. You wouldn't believe all the mischief he and those cats get into," Adam said.
" Oh we know that Shags love to get into mischief without doing any damage. We've been raising them forever. It's like living with clowns in the house," Ron replied.
" They are really silly, but very smart. Little brother keeps trying to give them the food off his plate, but they don't come near the table when we eat. It's just like today, they didn't bother us while we had lunch," Hoss said.
" I love the way they seem to protect Little Joe. They are always with him, Adam added. " Yes, they are very protective of their owners, and they seem to know that Little Joe is little, so they watch out for him," Ron explained. " Very interesting cats, they are," Hoss added.
While Little Joe slept, the rest of the boys fished some more. They were having a good time and catching a lot of fish that both familes could enjoy for their dinners that evening.
A while later, the boys decided to go swimming again. Little Joe joined them again for a swim, since he was now wide awake.
About tow hours later, the boys gathered up all their gear and fish and headed back to the Cartwright house, so Ron amd Max could get their horses and head home with lots of fish for their family's dinner that night.
" We sure had a fun day," both Ron and Max said. " We did too. We'll have to do this again very soon," Adam suggested. " We would love to," Ron replied as he and Max rode out of the yard and towards home.
Hoss and Little Joe had given their fish to Hop Sing so he could get them ready for their dinner that night. Everyone, including Hop Sing loved fresh fish for dinner.
During dinner, the boys told Ben all about their day at the lake, and how much they enjoyed being with Ron and Max. " They really are a wonderful family, and I am so glad to have them as our neighbors and friends," Ben replied.
Later that evening after dinner as the family relaxed, Nemo jumped up on Adam's lap and he headbutted the book that Adam was reading right out of his hands.
" Nemo, stop that !" Adam
declared. Nemo was purring and he then headbutted Adam's forehead, over and over. " Oh good grief. Ok, ok, I'll pet you big
boy," Adam told Nemo, who was now laying on Adam's lap even though he didn't fit on
Nemo looked up at Adam and he chirped at Adam. " Yes, you're a good kitty Nemo. Now go to sleep so I can read my book," Adam said to the cat. Nemo laid his head down and went to sleep while he purred. The sound of the purring cat was very relaxing Adam thought as he read his book.
All of the cats loved to headbutt, but Nemo did it the most. He even headbutted the furniture, the doors, and the other cats as well.
Another day, Little Joe was playing outside and he was watching the cats rolling in the dirt, which looked like a lot of fun. He got a big smile on his face, got down on the ground, and he started to roll in the dirt with his cats.
When Ben went out to check on his giggling little boy, he stood on the porch shaking his head at the sight of Little Joe and the cats rolling in the dirt.
" Joseph, what are you doing?" Ben asked as he tried not to laugh. " We's justa rollin' in da dirt Papa ! It's so much fun. Wanna roll in da dirt wiv us too Papa?" Little Joe asked.
" No thank you son. You do realize that you are going to have to have a bath when you are finished rolling in the dirt, because you are so dirty, don't you?" Ben suggested.
" Uh oh. I dunt want no baf Papa !" the youngster shouted back. " Oh yes you are," Ben replied. " Uh no I ain't," the boy declared. Ben stood there smiling at his young son, then he turned and went back into the house softly laughing. " Oh yes you are my little imp."
Several minutes later, Little Joe got up from the ground and he tried to brush off as much dirt as he could. His clothes were still dirty as was he. As he watched the cats shake off the dirt from the fur, and Little Joe tried the same thing, but it didn't help.
He suddenly got an idea in his head that just might save him from having to have a bath after all. He just knew that this idea would work.
He took off his shirt, unbuttoned his jeans, then sat down on the edge of the water trough. He took his boots and socks off, then he stood up and took his jeans and his underwear off too. He quickly climbed into the water trough and he started to to kick his legs up and down as fast as he could, and he was also splashing the cats too.
After several minutes he figured that he must be nice and clean by now, so he just laid in the water and closed his eyes. Soon the cats had joined the little boy in the water. Little Joe was petting the cats and talking to them.
When Adam
and Hoss returned from
They walked over to the little boy who was smiling at them, when they noticed that he was totally naked, which was a total surprise to them.
" Little buddy, why did you take off all your clothes?" Adam asked. " Cuz day was all dirty, and Papa saided dat's I hab ta hab a baf, and I dunt want no baf, Adam," Little Joe explained as he tried to look as innocent as possible.
Both Adam and Hoss were having a hard time not to laugh at their baby brother. " So I dun figured dat if'n I tooked off my clothes and gotts in da water den gotts all cleaned, den I's wouldn't hab ta hab no baf !" Little Joe excitedly explained. Adam just smiled at his baby brother's answer.
" Hey Punkin, how'd ya get so dirty in the first palce?" Hoss asked. " Well ya see Hoss, I was watchin' da kitties rollin' in da dirt and it looked like fun, so I's dun tried it too, and it's fun. Ya should try it Hoss. Ya too Adam. It's really fun !" Little Joe told them. They both just laughed and shook their heads.
" That boy comes up with the most interesting answers," Adam said as he and Hoss walked towards the house with the mail in hand, and laughing.
" Pa, do you know what your baby son is doing at the moment?" Adam said as he smiled at Ben as was Hoss. Ben shook his head. "He's in the water trough--naked" Adam told Ben.
" He's what ??????" shouted a shocked Ben as he jumped up from his desk. " Pa, he said you told him that he needed a bath when he was finished rolling in the dirt. So he decided to take off his clothes and get into the trough to get clean. Then he wouldn't need a bath," Adam explained.
" That boy !" Ben declared as he went to get a towel and he headed outside to get his little imp.
" Hi ya Papa. I's dunt need no baf !" Little Joe announced. Ben stood there looking at his young son who was looking up at Ben with his big puppy dog eyes, and the cutest little grin on his sweet looking face. He also saw the cats in the trough with his child.
" Ok you cats, out of the water now," Ben told the cats. To his surprised, the cats jumped out of the trough, shook their bodies, and went on mouse duty in the barn and yard. The cats were always amazing Ben, and Ben swore that they understood English as well.
Ben pulled his little boy up and wrapped the towel around him and carried him off to the house. Hoss went out to pick up Little Joe's dirty clothes as he was still laughing at his little brother. He then went into the washroom with the dirty clothes.
Ben dried off Little Joe, but before he had a chance to get him dressed, the little boy took off running towards the kitchen. " LITTLE JOE !" Ben shouted as he saw the naked bottom of his little boy head out to the kitchen. He let out a big sigh and look up towards the ceiling, and slowly shook his head. " I'm getting to old for this," he thought.
Hop Sing did a double take when he saw the naked little boy run into the kitchen. " Where your clothes? What you do now?" Hop Sing asked. " Hi ya Hop Sing. I's a playin'" the little boy replied.
" JOSEPH-GET BACK HERE NOW !" Ben shouted from the livingroom. " Uh oh, Papa's gonna gets me," the boy yelled as he was now giggling, as he ran out the back door and out into the yard.
Hop Sing ran into the livingroom. " Mr. Cartlight, naked boy run outside !" Hop Sing announced. " OH NO !" Ben shouted as he, Adam and Hoss all ran towards the door to go after a certain naked little boy.
As Little Joe was running around the yard, Charlie had just walked out of the barn when he saw the naked Little Joe running towards the barn, so he reached out and captured the running child.
" Little Joe, where in the world are your clothes ?" Charlie asked as he was laughing, when he noticed a frantic Ben running towards him with Adam and Hoss closely following behind, laughing.
" Are you looking for this little imp Ben?" Charlie asked as he was still laughing. " Yes, thanks Charlie. Joseph, you little imp. You can't run around without your clothes !" Ben told his son as he took him from Charlie, and returned to the house and up to Little Joe's room.
" Boys, I have never seem a child who loves to run around without clothes on," Charlie said. " I know what you mean Charlie, and we hope he out grows that too," Adam replied as they were all laughing.
Upstairs while Ben was getting Little Joe dressed, he couldn't figure out why his little boy loved to go naked.
That night after Little Joe had gone to bed for the night, Ben told Adam and Hoss that they never loved to run around without their clothes on, like their little brother did.
" Let's just hope he stops doing that soon. We don't want him running around naked when he's grown up," Adam declared. " Oh, don't even think about that !" Ben stated.
" Yeah,
can't ya just see him all grown up and running down
the main street in
The End of part two.
Footnote.
There are many interesting legends as to how and where Maine Coons actually come from. Here are some of them:
That they are a cross between raccoons and domestic house cats. That is biologically impossible.
That they are a cross between the following: Bobcats and Lynx. Could be, but probably not.
The
romantic legend: Captain Samuel Clough from Wiscasset,
There were
many plots that had sprung up to try to save Marie Antoinette. Captain
Clough was going to bring the Queen to
All plots
to save the Queen failed, so the captain sailed home with some of her
furniture, cloth, wallpapers, household china and silver, various ornamental
knick-knacks and six of her longhaired cats. Once the Royal cats arrived
in
Another legend:
There was
an English sea captain from
Another legend:
When the
Vikings first came to American, they brought with them their longhaired cats,
Norwegian Skogkatts [ know
today as
The Norwegian Skogkatts and it's Danish and Swedish counter parts, the Racekatte and the Rugkatt, have many physical traits in common with the Maine Coon. They have evolved from a similar rough-terrain, harsh climate background and have undergone periods of living wild. The Scandinavian breeds are excellent hunters as are the Maine Coons, and it is not inconvincible that the practical Vikings might have taken some of these cats along to their settlements in Greenland and Vineland to keep down the rodent population in gain and food stores.
Another legend:
There is also a possible connection between these Scandinavian charmers [ the cats ], and Marie Antoinette and Captain Clough.
One of the most ardent Royalists in the French court was a Sweedish diplomat, named Count Alex von Fersen, who was a gentleman and was totally devoted to the monarchy, and tradition says, particularly to Marie Antoinette. He also knew of her love for longhaired cats, and being that he had access to the distictive cats of his native land, he was the logical person to have given the Queen several of those longhaired kittens.
Another legend:
The European ancestors of the longhaired Russian cats, were once very popular on the European continent, where it migrated to the British Iles.
There was also so a breed from Pyreneese, called the French Domestic, that was suppose to have a dead ringer for the Maine Coon.
The early French explorers are thought to have brought these cats over to the indians as destroyers of rodents, since there weren't any domestic felines on the American continent. That would explain the occurence of Maine Coon types in Southern and Southeastern seacoast areas. Neither of these breeds exist today as a breed.
There was a small longhaired cat called the Russian Steppes cat, that many breeders say bears a striking resemblance to the Maine Coon.
The Maine Coon is the result of nature working on a wide genetic pool in the North American continent, with little or no interference from man.
Those are some of the legends about Maine Coons.
For more about Marie Antoinette and Captain Clough, as told by Clough's daughter, Rosalind, go to the following website.
www.geocities.com/Heartland/2250/legends.html
Anyone who loves history would probably find this very interesting. Just click onto " Legend of Rosalind of Squam Island ". The other stories on that page are also very interesting.
Lumpy rugs are a very common sight in our house. Maine Coons love to put anything they can carry around in their mouths, under rugs.
They are very vocal, and they have quite a range and they are capable of making many entirely different nosies, that they use quite obviously as a language.
Their version of the traditional " Mew" is a very small noise that sounds very funny coming from such big cats, but it is only used in social sitsuations like when it is close to dinner time. Each Maine Coon seems to develope it's own vocabulary, most of which is not susceptible phonetic renderings.
There is a high trilling sound, which is said to sound like a baby raccoons, a chirping sound is when they want to talk to you, plus too many other interesting sounds.
They love to headbutt people, and they will jump up to a taller chair or table to get even with your head so they can butts heads with you. That is called ' play goat', or 'goating'.
They have loud purrs and they do love to play in and with water which can make a big mess. Their fur is water resistant, so it beads up on the fur.
They love people and they will get along with any pet you have. The more you laugh at them, the sillier they get.
They really are a wonderful breed of cat.