The Tale of Dumpster Dave and Dumpster Dan

It wasn’t too long ago, I think it was late in the winter of 2017 when I first encountered Dave and Dan. They were two brothers who made their home behind one of the convenience stores here in Belton.

They lived a rather idyllic life even if their pastime was dumpster diving. If I failed to mention, Dave and Dan were cats and between the rats and the leftover treats from the store they grew into fine healthy specimens of the feline variety.

Even with all the delicacies they already had, Dave and Dan managed cute little smiles mixed with sad and longing eyes to coax some of the many patrons who visited the store, myself included. Soon I was bringing with me a small bag of cat food that stayed in the car for my frequent visits for coffee.

Then it happened. I guess it was sometime in the early spring of 2018 that a feline lady of persuasion appeared on the scene. She wasn’t what one would call a very pretty temptress, but I guess something like that really didn’t mean too much to the manly Dave and Dan.

Like in many cases, even with us Homo Sapiens we all know what happens. If you don’t believe me, just look at Adam in the Bible. We all know what happened when Eve came along. It was the downfall of man. One minute he was walking in the cool of the morning with God, and the next thing you know him and Eve were being cast out of the ‘Garden of Eden.’



Sad to say but it seems inherent even with cats. It wasn’t long after ‘Slutty Suzie’ a name I maliciously, but endearingly called the female that troubles in Dave and Dan’s dumpster paradise began to manifest.

There were fights between the two brothers over who would get Suzie’s affection. Then came the offspring and then more little cats. Sadly for all it became too much and thus the demise of Dave and Dan and their dumpster kingdom.

If there is a moral to this story, then let it be said. Take care of who you let into your kingdom. Make sure they share the same values that you have and when you find that someone, take care of them, nourish them and for goodness sake... don’t fall for those faint, come hither meows in the night.

J. Allen Wilson © 7/10/2018