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DAY 30: Eight cans. Eight cans of tasty gourmet cat food have laid down their pop-top lids in the past 30 days. One after another, they have felt the touch of this striped Manx cat's cool nose. Last week, in a stunning upset, Fancy Feast Chopped Grill was voted out. Now, on the final day, only two cans are left. Fancy Feast Fish & Shrimp. Safeway Select Chopped Grill. Meanwhile, Bella has endured. She's survived on this small island far from home, without catnip, on just the sporadic turkey & giblets or chopped grill dinner. For the final challenge, we are at the Isle of Man's famous Laxey Wheel. Bella's task is to walk up the long circular staircase to the very top of the wheel. There, her choices await.
Then, nearing the top of the wheel, she stops again. She sees, lined up on the steps ahead, the eight now-empty cans that have been voted out. There's Science Diet Chicken & Gravy, the first to go. The once hopeful Sheba Sardines & Shrimp. The Hunter's Stew. We're at the top now, and there are the two surviving cans. Bella takes a deep breath. The choice will not be easy. She approaches, and places her nose on.... |
Mustering all the energy she can, for she has not eaten since early this morning, Bella begins the ascent, pausing on the steps to reflect on her visit to the island. She remembers piloting the Groudle Glen Railway engine, the beautiful West Coast. The touching reception at Tynwald. Herding the stray cats to the Mann Sanctuary. Fishing for trout at Douglas Harbor.