Thinking back to the real estate classes I took, I recall us covering the topic of safety.  Let other realtor's know where you are going.  Keep your phone with you.  Meet people at the office and get to know them before you meet them at an empty house.  I really don ‘t remember any words of caution regarding cats.

Last week I showed a neat house to a couple.  Well, I had seen the house with the wife the week before but on this particular day the husband was in town also.  The home owners had pets.  There were two caged rats, a house cat, and a large dog in the backyard.  These people obviously enjoyed their pets. 

When we arrived that morning, the dog was absent, the rats were enjoying their rat habitat, and the cat was sitting near a recliner, patiently eyeing us as we toured the home.   Kitty was so pretty, we all agreed.  Since I don't know the name I'll call the feline KC for Kitty Cat.  KC's markings were black and white and she had a perfectly centered triangular black marking in the center of her chest.  KC was so pretty that I snapped a photo of her with my cell phone.   Knowing that cats come in two varieties, friendly and not so much, I approached her with caution.  I placed my hand on her level about a foot and a half away and as I'd hoped she came over and sniffed my hand.  Then I went to the kitchen and looked around some.  When the clients were ready to go I put my hand down again to tell KC goodbye.  This time she literally lunged at me and bit into my middle finger, also snagging me with her claw.  Yeowch!  Talk about a shock.  My finger bled a lot and I washed it and wrapped it in a paper towel. 

Despite my injury, I persevered and the clients did have me write a contract on the house.  That is good.  I mean if I'm going to get attacked by a cat, I should at least sell something, right? 

About five years ago my mother ended up with an 8 day hospital stay from a cat bite.  So I went to the doctor the morning after the bite and got a tetanus shot and a prescription for antibiotics.  Better safe than sorry. 

I called the listing realtor and told him I was bringing a contract and...oh by the way the cat bit me.  He apologized and said the cat had been in hiding of fine during most of his visits to the home but that the cat went "crazy" when he held an open house.   Note to self and other realtors - if the cat (rat or dog) goes "crazy" it would be worth mentioning in private remarks to warn unsuspecting realtors!

So if you are a dog lover, cat lover, rat lover, member of PETA or whatever, exercise great caution when approaching an animal.  You know, I approached the cat with caution so let me make a stronger statement.  Stay away from all creatures having teeth, fangs, talons and claws because they are liable to protect their territory.

My finger is getting stiff today.  I think it is because I bumped it while stowing a bag in an overhead bin on the airplane this morning.  If I'm getting cat scratch fever I'm going to sue somebody for my pain and suffering!  Or at least complain loud and long.