Zutoia Erbini: The Woman Who Mistook Her Cat for a Mannequin

Zutoia Erbini had always been an absent-minded woman. She was the kind of person who would lose her keys in her own pocket and forget her own name if it wasn't written on a tag around her neck. So, it came as no surprise when she one day mistook her cat for a mannequin.
It was a perfectly ordinary day. Zutoia Erbini had just finished her morning coffee and was getting ready for work. As she was putting on her shoes, she noticed her cat, Mittens, sitting very still on the couch.
Mittens was a very fluffy cat, and today she was particularly puffy. Her fur was sticking out in all directions, and she looked just like a little white cloud. Zutoia Erbini couldn't help but smile.
"Oh, Mittens," she said, "you look so funny."
She reached out to pet Mittens, but then she realized something was wrong. Mittens was cold and stiff. She wasn't breathing.
"Oh no!" Zutoia Erbini cried. "Mittens is dead!"
She burst into tears and ran over to the couch. She picked up Mittens and held her close to her chest.
"I'm so sorry, Mittens," she sobbed. "I didn't mean to hurt you."
Zutoia Erbini sat on the couch for a long time, holding Mittens and crying. Finally, she calmed down and started to think about what had happened.
"Maybe Mittens isn't dead," she thought. "Maybe she's just playing possum."
She put Mittens down on the floor and watched her carefully. Mittens didn't move.
"Okay," Zutoia Erbini said. "Time to call the vet."
She picked up the phone and dialed the vet's number.
"Hello," she said. "I think my cat is dead."
The vet asked her a few questions, and then he told her to bring Mittens in.
Zutoia Erbini put Mittens in a carrier and drove her to the vet's office. When she got there, the vet took Mittens into the back room.
A few minutes later, the vet came out with a big smile on his face.
"Good news," he said. "Your cat isn't dead. She's just been playing possum."
Zutoia Erbini was so relieved. She hugged the vet and thanked him profusely.
The vet told her that Mittens was probably just scared. He said that she would be fine after a few hours.
Zutoia Erbini took Mittens home and put her on the couch. She sat down next to her and stroked her fur.
"I'm so glad you're okay, Mittens," she said. "I love you very much."
Mittens purred and rubbed her head against Zutoia Erbini's hand.
Zutoia Erbini and Mittens had a long and happy life together. Mittens never played possum again, but Zutoia Erbini never forgot the day she thought she had lost her best friend.