Shrimp and Tiger love the gifts that farmer Joe gave them for Christmas. It’s been over a week now and Tiger loves waking up feeling warm and snuggly.
“These knew beds are so comfortable,” Tiger rolled over and stretched his legs out.
“I know, and sleeping in the barn too is a lot nicer than in the tree trunk,” Shrimp said as she laid on her bed and looked around.
Just then, they heard farmer Joe walk into the barn humming. Shrimp jumped up to see what he was doing. She walked out of the stall and saw Joe set down three grey plastic totes. He then walked outside and up to the back of his truck. Shrimp walked over to the grey totes and sniffed them.
“Tiger, come and see these,” Shrimp called out.
“I don’t want to, I’m comfortable,” Tiger said as he curled up on his bed.
Joe walked back into the barn with some Styrofoam pieces and his electric saw and set them down.
“Well, good morning Shrimp. How do you like your new beds?” Joe reached out and petted her.
Shrimp meowed and then rubbed her face on his hand. Then Joe took the lids out of the totes and took his saw and two of the totes over to his workbench. He plugged in his saw and then cut a hole in one end of the two totes. Joe carried those totes over to where Shrimp was and picked up the third tote. The activity now got Tigers interest so he got up and walked out of the stall.
“What’s going on?” Tiger asked as he walked up to Shrimp.
“I’m not sure but look, he put a hole in this thing,” Shrimp stepped into the tote.
Joe cut a hole in the end of the last tote and then carried it over to the other totes near Tiger.
“Good morning Tiger. You want to know what I’m doing?” Joe said as he pet Tiger on the head.
Shrimp walked out of the other tote and looked at Joe.
Joe snickered, “well, I see that you understand the idea Shrimp.”
Tiger and Shrimp watched while Joe cut the Styrofoam with his knife and fit it into the tote. He lined the insides of the totes with the Styrofoam to make them more insulated. Then Joe walked back out to his truck and carried in three furry padded mats. They were still comfortable for laying on but smaller so they would fit inside of the totes. Shrimp and Tiger rubbed on the corners of the totes while Joe nestled the beds down inside. Joe then picked up Shrimp and set her down inside one of the totes. She sniffed the mat and then started to knead it. Joe picked up one of the lids and slowly placed it on top of the tote that Shrimp was in.
Tiger stepped into one of the other totes and onto the mat. Just as he was sniffing the foam, Joe carefully put the lid on that tote. Shrimp walked out of the tote that she was in and walked over to Joe. She purred and rubbed on Joes knee, letting him know that she was thankful for his kindness.
“Oh, you’re welcome little one,” Joe pet Shrimp. “It can get pretty cold here, so this way you all will stay warm.”
Tiger stumbled out the hole of the tote he was in and looked at Joe.
“Okay, now let’s put these in the stall for you two and your momma,” Joe stood up.
Shrimp and Tiger watched Joe as he carried the totes one by one into the stall. He then lined the totes up against the inside wall of the stall. And then he placed the other beds on top of each tote. Shrimp and Tiger trotted into the stall and saw what Joe did and jumped up onto their beds on the totes.
“There you go, now you have a bed on top and inside,” Joe pointed to the open end of the tote that Shrimp was sitting on.
Shrimp hopped down off her bed and went inside of the tote. Joe watched the kittens as they checked everything out. Just then, Momma walked into the stall and saw Joe and the totes. She sniffed the one tote and went inside of it. Then she walked back out and rubbed up against Joes leg.
“You’re welcome Momma. I should have thought about it sooner for you,” Joe stroked her back.
Shrimp laid down inside the one tote while Tiger jumped up onto the top of the tote with his bed on it. Farmer Joe then took care of his trash, put his saw away, and then left the barn.
“Wow, this is really nice of Joe,” Tiger said.
Shrimp peaked out, “it sure is. What do you think Momma?”
Momma looked at her kittens, “it is very nice of Joe to care of us this way.”
Shrimp pulled her head back inside and laid it down. The winter at the farm was going to be a little more comfortable for them all now. So comfortable that Shrimp’s eyes are already getting sleepy. Momma went about getting a drink of water while Tiger curled up on his bed.
“Yep, this is nice,” Shrimp yawned.
Please join me again for another story with Shrimp and Tiger. If you haven’t subscribed yet you might want to so you can receive it in your email. Thank you and have a nice week.