Four years ago, when McEuen began a new route, he encountered Bijou.
Despite her rough appearance, the ancient cat with one milky eye and a crooked half-tail was known among other postal carriers as the ultimate sweetie.
“On my runs, there are a few dogs that I enjoy seeing, and a couple who seem to recognize the sound of my truck’s door sliding open. McEuen told The Dodo, “If I can make it work, I prefer to at least offer them a ‘hello’ and some brief love before going on.” “However, Bijou is the only cat on my routes that appears to make it a point to pay me a visit every time I pass by.”
When McEuen started a new route four years ago, he encountered Bijou.
Despite her rough appearance, the ancient cat with one milky eye and a crooked half-tail had a reputation among other postal carriers as the ultimate sweetie.
“When I initially saw her, my first impression was that she was a very elderly, lovely kitten who appeared to have seen it all. “It’s a little rough around the edges, but it’s as beautiful as it gets,” McEuen remarked. “I informed the route’s usual carrier about it, and he said, ‘Yeah, that’s Bijou.’ ‘She’s the greatest!’
McEuen works five different routes as a replacement carrier, so he only sees Bijou once a week. When she hears his truck approaching her house, though, the small cat makes it a point to go out and visit her pal.
“When she heard me getting out of the vehicle for the first several years, she would wander out to the mailbox,” McEuen said. “Once I have the mail on top of the boxes, she is usually there.”
Bijou has never been bashful, and she would rub against McEuen’s foot until he finished delivering even in the early days of their acquaintance.
The elderly cat has recently become even more daring, jumping inside McEuen’s truck while he is preoccupied.
“She started becoming more adventurous with my truck at the end of last year,” McEuen revealed. “It’s only a few feet from where I’m delivering, so she walks that way when she sees me working and not leaning down to pat her.”
“She started crawling in and wandering around on the floors after a couple months of sniffing around the door,” McEuen continued. “That rapidly turned into her sinking into the seat. She simply waits for me to finish my mail.”
The two have become close over time, to the point that Bijou would not allow McEuen leave without giving her some quality time — even if it means seizing control of his car.
“I quickly realized that I couldn’t simply yank her out of the truck. McEuen stated, “She would stand her ground and softly resist until I picked her up and gave her a few strokes and squeezes.” “Once that’s taken care of, she’ll be pleased to return to her residence until the next time I see her.”
Despite the fact that Bijou might be demanding, her visits always brighten McEuen’s day.
“Most cats seem satisfied to remain to themselves and do their own thing,” McEuen added. “I like to imagine Bijou anticipates the arrival of the mailmen as much as we anticipate her greeting us!”
McEuen and Bijou are just two examples of the unique bonds that postal carriers may form with animals, and McEuen hopes that his visits brighten their days as much as they do his.
“I like to think the animals enjoy it when someone comes in throughout the day to say hello while their family members are at work or school,” McEuen added.
