. . . Cat’s Demise Sparks Concern

In response to the Dana Parsons column of Sept. 8 about Squawk, the unfortunate feline (“If There’s a Moral to This Story, It Won’t Help Squawk”), I would have to say that after almost 15 years of avidly watching the behavior of cats, both mine and others, I would be inclined to believe Mr. McIntyre’s account of his cat’s demise.

Anyone who has ever watched a cat climb down a tree knows that no cat would ever jump from a 40-foot palm, no matter what the situation. Any cat-watcher knows that cats are intelligent animals who retreat to the safety of heights only when threatened.

Any cat-watcher also could tell you that with a cat, being the independent creature that it is, no earthly amount of coaxing will get it down until it is ready. I am sure many people have numerous frustrating stories of cats, who after hours of pleading with or threatening, decided just as the annoyed owner departs to casually climb down to safety and trot over to the house for dinner.

Finally, I would have to say that after three years of observing Newport as well as Irvine police officers, their conduct and attitudes, I would be inclined to choose Mr. McIntyre’s account of the incident regarding his traffic “skirmish.” I have often wondered if there were some sort of obnoxiousness requirement for the NBPD and IPD. Who knows? Maybe the answer is yet to come.

MARIEKE VELTMAN, Balboa Island