Feline Frolics
It has been brought to my attention by several Alert Readers that they have been blatantly failing to read the Comments I have been attaching to Shu’s last journal entry before she departed for her most recent stint in rehab. I didn’t post them in my own journal because I didn’t know if anybody would think to look there. Were there a chance I would ever put myself thru kitten-sitting hell again, I would perhaps have Shu make such an announcement, but I believe I have learned my lesson and unlike our mutual friend, I have been rehabilitated. Nevertheless, your Intrepid Reporter has copied said aforementioned entries below in chronological order for your voyeuristic pleasure:
Initial Report
2002-11-04 09:56
I sure hope the latest rehab stint works for Shu this time around. It’s been two days since she left and my house has become a cross between a zoo and a war zone. I kitten-proofed as much as possible and to be fair, Claudius is being quite a little angel and getting along fine with everybody. Apollo, on the other hand, is the Demon Seed From Hell. There is NOTHING safe from this feline. He is presently learning how NOT to get on kitchen counters or dining room tables and how NOT to unravel yards of toilet paper. In exchange, he is practicing his growling and hissing at everything remotely feline regardless of proximity. All night. Every night. Nightime Kitty Prison may need to be instituted in order for everyone else to get some sleep. On the bright side, he has managed to dig out every single hidden kat toy that my own four stealth felines have tucked away for lean times.
Early Observations
2002-11-05 08:15
I have learned that white kittens and ashy fireplaces should not be combined.
I have learned that hiding under the bed for the duration of the night is acceptable as long as you have a mousy toy to growl at loudly thus keeping the household informed of your activities.
I have learned that it is socially acceptable to hiss and growl at the resident felines when visiting, as long as the resident human is there to protect you from payback.
I have learned that sitting atop the bedroom telly is normal, even if knocking off the large candle becomes necessary.
Week 1 and Still Alive
2002-11-08 13:14
Well, we’ve made it through the first week. I am now aware, through a lengthy and intensive trial, that kittens are the natural enemy of boxes of tissues.
I have also found out that Apollo LOVES water, to the point where he halfway joined me in the shower this morning. By the time Shu returns from rehab, I expect Apollo and I shall be showering together on a regular basis… I just have to train him to fetch his own towel since he has already proven his fetching skills with the mousie. Repeatedly. To the point where it is impossible to NOT have the mousie dropped at my feet and an expectant look given to me. Unfortunately, I still throw like a girl.
Week Two … Survival
2002-11-13 08:27
Having slipped into a somnolent complacency of late due to a seeming Feline Truce in my household, I have been rudely awakened by The Demon Apollo. I had JUST commented to my guest that “he looks so innocent when he’s sleeping … he’s probably scheming”. Not five minutes later The Demon awoke and headed for my mantelpiece where he immediately attempted to GET DOWN on command and headed in the wrong direction, thus knocking down and badly chipping a member of my Dragon Collection. The Demon survived, the Dragon is still in critical care.