1-1 Frisky
１章 フリスキーの１話の英訳です。
"Could you keep Frisky?"
Frisky was an orange cat who lived at the house we just acquired.
Frisky was the added bonus to a small house.
My husband and I had been asked to take care of the outdoor cat, since we were going to move into the house.
It was the winter season, still very cold.
Frisky was liked by all the people in the neighborhood. They lived in harmony.
This poor cat wouldn't lose his house after all, even if he loses his master.
Besides, cats tend to stick with the house anyway.
My husband Tim, however was allergic to cats.
His symptoms consisted of red and itchy eyes with a runny nose, leaking like a waterfall.
So we never thought about owning a cat before.
We didn't have any obligation to keep Frisky.
It's not unusual that a pet loses his master suddenly.
He might find a new home, or they may found him.
If not, Frisky would've been taken to the shelter and disposed of.
After all was said and done, Tim with a sour face, decided to keep Frisky.
He was an outside cat anyway, we just simply had to do food and water.
"It won't be any trouble." so we thought.
This decision changed our lives.
We never dreamed that one cat would turn into many cats and dogs with a variety of backgrounds.
Life is a little thing, and a chance came to go down another path.
I'd like to say that it’s been interesting!
Lilacs, an old apple tree, and wild roses grew in the front yard of the little house.
And big Mountain Ash Trees that whistled in the breeze.
They showed up well against the crisp blue sky at the end of summer.
As Autumn deepens, it looks like beads scattered in the leaves, as the red berries fell everywhere.
There were apple, pear, cherry, plum and hazelnut trees in the back yard.
This garden was not only where Frisky could take a nap in the shade,
it was also attractive to wild birds and animals to come and forage for fruit.
The house that we moved into was a little bit unusual.
Originally, it was built as a turkey house.
Nevertheless,it was well built, very sturdy and interesting.
Through the years, our house had been added onto 3 times.
In the neighborhood, there was also an old house built more than 100 years ago.
It may have belonged to the people who built the turkey house.
The back side of the house was a laundry room. Enclosed in an era before they were commonly built.
There were two large washtubs for doing laundry.
Their son came back from the battlefield after the Second World War.
First, he slept in the attic, then moved to the bedroom they had added on for him in the back.
So, the last addition was probably more than 60 years ago.
The living room was long and narrow. The windows were in two corners of the odd-shaped room. Two on each wall, and none of the four windows open.
We enjoyed the iron wood stove and the antique oak floor.
From the front windows in the house,you saw a towering Douglas fir tree that made you look up.
On misty days , the green boughs of this tree seemed to inhale, coming alive with every breath.
Likely to start moving at any moment.
The neighbors on the other side of the fir tree were an elderly husband and wife who liked gardening.
They always planted many colorful seasonal flowers.
Frisky enjoyed visits to their garden.
"Frequently Frisky visits us." the wife said with a simple smile.
Not only the living room, but also the kitchen was strange.
The kitchen must have been designed for an old wood cook stove.
The position of the door was no match for modern appliances.
On the counter, next to an old sink, both sides were covered with strange green tiles.
From a small window above the sink, as well as a large windows in the nook , I saw the park across the street.
The park has tennis courts, also enough space where the children can practice soccer on the expanse of green grass.
I look through the little window while cooking, wide and lush I really liked the scenery.
Even in winter, on sunny days, the tall fir trees in the park across the way cast long shadows on the carpet of green grass, almost like beautiful ladies.
Frisky the outside cat lives in a shed behind the house.
When we enter the smaller room of the shed, under a cute window is the bed where Frisky slept.
There is also a small loft, almost like a pioneer cabin.
It was messy, giving it a private retreat-like atmosphere for the cat.
Frisky was a very shy cat.
After having company, he disappeared for two or three days.
He become invisible, so we figured he was gone.
Still, his food was reduced.
The previous owner had said the food could have been eaten by a dog in the neighborhood, or an opussum or raccoon when they come out.
I was uncertain whether or not it was really eaten by Frisky.
In fact, I witnessed several times the feeding of the opossum on Frisky's food.
Of course, Frisky's care was my thing because I was not allergic to cats.
Nevertheless, Frisky's favorite was Tim, more than me.
Tim had a gentle voice that Frisky was used to.
However upon moving in, Tim quickly caught a cold, then had a raspy voice, Frisky didn't know what to think.
As soon as he would see Tim, Frisky came running.
Tim said "Frisky" gently touching his head.
Frisky certainly knew the smell and feel of his new master's hand, but not his raspy voice.
"Are you really my master?"
Frisky had a puzzled frown. That was so funny and cute.
I took care of Frisky.
Tim wanted less responsibilty if possible.
Still, Frisky wanted Tim.
And in this way, we began our new life.
