The Catnip Cartel
When you think of the word “Cartel”, typically it is associated with drugs, criminal organizations that traffic drugs, and of course, illegal activity. How is it possible that catnip and cartel are associated? The possession of catnip is not illegal or is it? Let me paint the picture of “The Catnip Cartel” as all may not be as it seems.
It was a very warm and far too humid day in July of 1979. One of those Roanoke, Virginia summer days that you need to be lounging by a refreshing pool, but no pool for my sister, Debbie and me. We were stuck at the house with our mother and bored out of our minds.
I had shortly returned from residing in Florida and was living with my mother, Sylvia, my stepfather, my younger sister, Debbie, …show more content…
Bootsie, does not like it!” Debbie shouts from the kitchen.
Mom replied, “I don’t think it will hurt anything if you do. I’m sure they will enjoy it!”
My sister decided that the perfect thing would be to place the catnip inside of a worn tube sock. You remember the type that went to your knee and had lovely colored rings at the top! Since there were two cats, it would be funny to see them playing with one catnip-filled tube sock. Considering the two cat factor, she placed the entire bag of catnip in the sock. This was quite a “stash” of catnip. She threw the sock into the neighbor’s yard, then went about her day.
It was lunchtime and Mrs. Jane pulled into her drive. As the ritual goes, she went inside and let Jose out. We heard barking; Jose was attacking and playing with the sock. We don’t know if the cats had been playing with it because we were not paying attention.
Debbie peered out of the window to see what the commotion was all about.
She chuckled and remarked, “At least, Jose like the toy. Crazy dog!”
She also saw Mrs. Jane place the tube sock in the trash can and secure the lid. Jose was still barking, but now it was directed at the trash can. Mrs. Jane rushed him into the house and left for work about ten minutes