I was once again walking down Court Street when I found a crumpled piece of paper. After the last discovery, I was a bit suspicious, so again, I picked it up. But this time, I had to wash my hands afterward. Again, it was another page from Rufus’ diary. It was sticky.
Dear Diary,
I am sorry it has taken me so long to write. I had a 2021 season kind of week.
It all started on Monday, the week after my super awesome birthday party and Ohio University’s super awesome win over Florida Atlantic University. That weekend was the best. I got to give so many hugs and high-fives, and there were so many people who came to celebrate with me! It was the best birthday ever and I was feeling so happy.
I went home and spent the rest of my day resting up so that I could have a fantastic week of supporting OU. But then in the middle of the night, I got very cold while snuggled up in my den (which is NOT typical! My extra-warm fur does a great job of keeping me warm at night. It also keeps me warm during the day sometimes. That is why my jersey has lots of sweat stains. I have tried many different detergents, but I have to use the sensitive fur kind so it doesn’t seem to work that well).
When I woke up Monday morning, I had a sore throat! I thought it was just from giving my best Bobcat growls over the weekend. But just in case, I took a Bobcat COVID-19 test. Sadly, after 15 minutes, the result came out positive. I had to call and tell all my mascot buddies who came and visited me for my birthday.
Thankfully, I was vaccinated in April last year when Governor Mike DeWine visited campus (he was much smaller than I expected). I called my veterinarian after reporting my COVID-19 case to Dr. Gillian Ice and the Athens City-County Health Department (my den’s address falls within Athens County, even though it is not on a street).
I spent the rest of my week sniffling, coughing and fevering my way through binge-watching sessions. I rewatched the entirety of OU’s last season of football, but I was too tired to practice my Bobcat cheers. I cried a little. I also rewatched the footage of the time I tackled my friend Brutus (it was a bad moment in my life. I am so glad I took the time to reflect on it. Brutus has been both gracious and forgiving).
Now that my five-day quarantine is over, I get to go back to being OU’s biggest supporter at the Penn State game! This year, I bet Nittany Lion $5 (that is half my weekly paycheck) that we would win! As always, I have full confidence that our Bobcats will pull through.
I will tell you all about the game soon, diary!
P.S. I am sorry there is snot in you now. I am still a little sick. But as the old OU motto goes: The Party Don’t Stop in Athens!
The Pest is a satirical column and does not reflect the views of The Post.
