Scaredy Cat

My brother has two serval cats. The breed is alledgely just five generations away from being a wild predator, but we've lived so far from the jungle for so long that most people have lost proper respect for flesh eaters of other species. You only have to look into the gaping jaws of a serval cat to be reminded that our ancestors were cat food.
How big can a serval cat be, you wonder. They are about five sleek pounds of predator, a little bit longer than Felix. Not very alarming if they are just pawing at your toes with retracted claws. It is their attitude that makes them bigger.
One cat, Ginger, is playful and curious. Charming cat, but I am glad that I'm bigger than she is. Her sister, Shredder, or maybe they call her Reaper, is a different kind of cat. Once I caught her attention, she started testing to see if she could take me.
I've heard that about cougars. Once they have chosen a target, nothing distracts them from the kill. Now that is a trait of a successful predator, concentration, focus, and a 'can do' attitude.
Even as Fang, or was her name Gobbler, batted my ankles in a kitten like manner, an alarm went off in my head. She was sizing me up, seeing if she could take me. When she wrapped her paws around my leg, testing her grip, I knew what my leg would look like if she used her claws.
But when I was face to face with Ripper, she opened her jaws and hissed at me. Her fangs were long and needle sharp. I could see down her throat. I knew that whatever she got that mouth around would be dinner. I decided to give her wide berth.
Oh, now I remember. They named her Nibbler. Cute.
Nancy Sherer