The Diva
From Chicken Soup for the Soul: The Magic of Cats
By David-Matthew Barnes

There are two means of refuge from the miseries of life: music and cats.
~Albert Schweitzer

I was struggling through another year of college, but I was out shopping for dog food, and it happened to be Adoption Day. I had no intention of adopting a cat, but then she stuck her paw out through the kennel and I was a goner. She was nearly two years old and full of personality. Stocky and solid, my new tortoise-colored, shorthaired cat quickly became my best friend. Her cute pink nose inspired me to name her Francesca Rose. Within a few months, this morphed into Phronsie, named after the youngest and very devoted daughter in Margaret Sidney's timeless book series, Five Little Peppers.

I discovered Phronsie's singing talent on a Saturday morning. While cleaning the house, I popped a copy of West Side Story into the DVD player, hoping the iconic soundtrack would make sweeping and mopping a little more enjoyable. As a ballad began to play, I heard the distinctive sound of a loud meow. Worried something was wrong, I rushed into the living room, only to find Phronsie staring at the television screen. At first, I was concerned for her. The meow she was making was unlike any I'd heard from her before. As she continued, I listened closely. I realized there was a sort of melody to her meow. Was she trying to sing along with the music? (Keep reading)