It
all
started
with
this
message
on
the
Cats
board
in
June,
2001
Original
Message.........
My
good
friend
lives
in
Daytona
Beach,
and
is
a
cat
lover.
She
has
two
adult
males,
but
recently
moved
to
a
new
apartment
complex
that
is
surrounded
by
woods.
Lots
of
kitties
running
wild
in
those
woods,
and
they
tugged
at
her
heartstrings.
She
lured
a
female
to
her
with
food
one
day
and
took
her
to
the
vet.
Turned
out
that
this
female,
who
is
probably
less
than
a
year
old,
is
producing
milk,
so
there
are
kittens
somewhere,
and
the
vet
tells
my
friend
to
go
find
them.
She
does,
and
comes
in
with
two
kittens.
Wrong!
These
are
not
the
babies
of
this
mama
cat,
so
again,
my
friend
goes
out
with
the
aid
of
some
of
her
work
buddies
and
the
mama
cat
takes
them
right
to
her
kittens,
all
four
of
them.
So
now,
my
friend
has
her
own
two
cats,
the
mama
cat,
the
first
two
kittens
she
found
(approximately
6
weeks
old),
plus
the
4
additional
kittens
who
are
probably
3-4
weeks
old.
She
is
spending
numerous
dollars
at
the
vet,
plus
has
way
too
many
kitties
in
her
apartment.
She
refuses
to
send
them
to
the
humane
society
because
they
will
euthanize
ferals
immediately.
She
says
that
they
are
all
incredibly
sweet
and
loving.
So,
if
anyone
of
you
are
in
Florida,
know
someone
in
Florida,
etc.
,
who
might
be
willing
to
adopt
a
kitten
and/or
a
young
mama
cat,
she
would
be
eternally
grateful.
Everyone
has
tested
negative
for
feline
leukemia,
but
the
four
youngest
haven't
been
tested
yet
due
to
their
age.
Everyone
but
the
smallest
have
been
wormed,
and
completely
checked
over
by
a
veterinarian.
Please,
if
nothing
else,
spread
the
word,
and
take
a
minute
to
check
out
these
babies
on
my
webshots
album
page.
They
are
under
Family
and
Friends:
http://community.webshots.com/user/xxxxx
Thanks
in
advance.
If
you
can
help,
please
e-mail
me
at
xxxxxxx@home.com
and
I
will
get
you
in
touch
with
my
friend.
My
first
mistake
was
to
click
on
the
link
and
look
at
that
picture.
I
fell
in
love.
Then
I
found
out
that
he
had
a
sister!
One
who
looked
just
like
him.
I
just
kept
looking
at
those
eyes
and
that
moustache.
He
was
one
angry
little
boy
and
would
NOT
be
easy
to
tame.
I
spent
several
nights
thinking
about
it,
then
decided
to
go
for
it.
What
did
I
have
to
loose?
Nothing.
I
was
living
alone
with
my
cat
Runner
and
thought
I
had
a
lot
to
offer.
I
had
patience
also
and
I
was
convinced
that
was
all
that
was
needed
to
tame
feral
kittens.
HA!
So
here's
the
story
of
The
Taming
Of
The
Two..
Saturday,
June
9,
2001
5:56am
No,
Karel.
Relax.
The
only
thing
worse
than
being
late
is
being
too
early.
I
can't
leave
Jacksonville
before
7:30.
And
I
can't
get
to
Mom's
before
7.
So
I
guess
I'll
kill
time
the
way
I
usually
do.
At
the
keyboard.
I've
paid
Runner
all
the
attention
she
will
stand.
She
knows
something's
up.
Me
rushing
in
and
out
yesterday.
Scurrying
around,
putting
away
everything
that's
made
of
glass,
or
breakable
in
any
way,
clearing
counter
tops,
table
tops.
Rushing
to
do
all
of
the
normal
weekend
chores.
(I
don't
want
to
leave
them
for
one
second)
Grocery
shopping,
cleaning,
trying
to
find
kitten
food....no
Iams
in
one
store.....off
to
another.
Dry
food,
didn't
she
say
Kitten
Chow?
Or
did
she
say
Purina
One.
Oh
my,
which
should
I
get.
Both?
Ok.
I
know
she
said
Iams
canned.
Not
here
either?
Ok.
Petsmart.
Oh
NO.
They
can't
be
out!!
Oh
dear.
Now
what
do
I
do?
Glance
at
gas
level.....The
Car!!
Off
to
the
filling
stations.
Get
the
tires
checked.
Check
the
oil
and
water.
Fill
it
up.
Get
all
dirty
and
greasy,
stinking
like
gasoline
'cause
my
hand
decided
to
shake
trying
to
put
the
nozzle
in
the
right
place.
Peeuuuwww.....gas
on
the
sneakers.
Get
'em
out
of
the
car
and
into
the
trunk.
Can't
have
the
car
smelling.
Drive
barefoot.
Illegal,
but
who's
gonna
see.
Oh
dear.
Now
I
have
to
go
home
again.
No
Iams.
Home.
Got
to
get
the
carrier.
What
did
I
do
with
it?
Bought
a
new
one
to
take
Runner
to
the
Vet.
Put
it
somewhere
-
oh
yeah,
on
top
of
the
storage
cabinet
outside.
Outside?
well,
gotta
wash
it
anyway......dirty....wash
it
down
with
soap,
clorox
and
water.
Don't
want
the
little
ones
to
catch
anything
from
it
being
outside.
There,
as
good
as
new.
Not
clean
enough.
Spray
it
with
Lysol.
Not
good.
Wash
the
spray
off.
The
Lysol
might
be
too
strong
for
their
little
lungs.
Something
to
put
in
the
bottom
of
it.
They
can't
lay
on
bare
plastic!
Ok.
A
nice
soft
cloth.
Oh
dear,
better
get
another
one.
Don't
want
them
exposed
to
all
that
air
conditioning.
Need
one
to
drape
over
the
top
so
they
won't
get
a
draft.........
Toys!
They
have
to
have
toys....I
have
no
baby
toys
here...Back
into
the
car.
Back
to
Regency
Mall
to
PetSmart.
Crowded
now.
Lots
of
cats.....they're
adopting
cats
today...can't
be
around
them.
One
of
those
might
have
something
and
I
can't
bring
it
home.
Go
to
WalMart.
Safer
there.
No.
I
was
at
WalMart
earlier,
they
didn't
have
much
cat
supplies
at
all.
Better
here.
Look
at
the
available
kitties.
All
beautiful,
but
none
like
the
Munchkins.
These
don't
touch
me
in
the
same
way.
I'd
like
to
take
them
all
home......but
I
know
I
can't.
Home
again.
Better
run
the
dishwasher
and
vacuumed...they
won't
like
the
noise.
The
laundry
-
I've
got
to
do
the
laundry.
Off
again.
Home
again.
Runner
yowling,
wanting
to
know
what's
up.
Stuff
all
over
the
apartment.
Got
to
put
everything
away.
Hurry,
hurry.
Now,
I've
killed
a
half
hour
making
coffee,
doodling
on
the
keyboard.
Forty
five
more
minutes....what
needs
to
be
done....nothing.
Just
wait.
Relax.
Have
another
cup
of
decaf.
(can't.
I'll
have
to
use
the
bathroom
too
often
on
the
trip....that's
two
hours
away,
relax)
Better
go
re-check
everything....
Saturday
June
9,
2001
11:56am
Home.
Finally.
Not
one
peep
out
of
either
one.
When
I
stopped
at
Mom's
to
borrow
her
cell
phone,
she
asked
if
she
couldn't
drive
me
down.
I
know
you'll
get
lost.
Just
relax
and
let
me
drive.
So
of
course
I
said
ok.
Who
wouldn't.
Her
car
too....fire-engine-red
new
Buick.
Off
we
go.
Trip
down,
no
problems.
Got
to
Pam's
gorgeous
apartment.
Found
our
way
up
the
stairs
and
Pam
was
there
waiting.
We
just
looked
at
each
other
and
didn't
have
to
say
much.
The
kittens
were
in
the
spare
bedroom
with
the
other
ones.
The
Munchkins
ran
and
hid
the
minute
I
walked
in.
(Gee,
Karel,
doesn't
everyone?)
I
took
one
look
and
knew
I
had
made
the
right
decision.
We
didn't
stay
long.
The
faster
we
left
the
easier
on
Pam,
I
thought.
I
snapped
some
pictures
of
her
holding
each
one,
then
we
put
them
into
the
carrier,
along
with
some
toys
that
had
the
home-smell
and
left
the
apartment.
I
was
half-in
and
half-out
of
the
car
strapping
down
their
carrier
when
Mom
said.....Karel
you
forgot
the
paperwork.
Here
came
Pam
running
to
find
us
waving
the
vet's
reports.
One
more
quick
good-bye
and
we
were
finally
on
the
road
again.
(sounds
like
a
Willie
Nelson
song)
Eighty
seven
miles
and
not
one
single
peep
out
of
the
Munchkins.
I
kept
lifting
the
cover
off
of
the
carrier
and
looking
in.
There
they
sat.
Huddled
in
the
back.
Her
with
a
big-eyed
curious
look,
Him
with
a
scowl.....like,
just
dare...don't
even
think
about
it
lady......
I
thought
that
ride
would
never
end.
Switched
cars
at
Mom's.
Quick
kiss
bye
and
off
I
went...with
them
to
myself
for
the
first
time.
Kept
talking
to
them
for
the
seven
miles
to
home.
Got
them
inside
and
into
the
bathroom.
Now,
I've
got
a
fairly
large
bathroom.
It
has
two
doors
even
-
maybe
about
seven
feet
long
and
five
or
six
wide.
Not
humongous,
but
good
sized
for
an
apartment.
Those
two
are
totally
lost
in
there!
They
came
out
of
the
carrier
almost
immediately.
I
put
down
food
and
fresh
water
and
a
litter
"pan"
just
their
size.
A
small
cake
pan
filled
with
litter.
Easy
for
them
to
crawl
in
and
out
of.
You
can't
believe
how
small
they
are
and
they're
over
two
months
old
already.
Doctor's
report
says
April
1,
2001.
Now
they're
by
themselves.
Getting
used
to
new
places
and
new
smells.
Runner
took
one
sniff
and
has
gone
to
the
bedroom
to
sulk.
She
hasn't
even
sniffed
around
the
bathroom.
I
guess
she's
gonna
punish
me
for
awhile.
Still,
not
one
sound
out
of
them.
Excerpt
from
email
to
Andrea
Saturday
June
9,
2001
4:47pm
I
have
a
standard
sized
carrier.
Runner,
no
small
kitten,
fits
into
it
with
ease,
but
not
much
extra
room.
These
two,
crouched
in
the
back,
take
up
only
about
1/6th.
I
reached
my
hand
into
the
opening
to
pull
one
of
them
out.
Picture
me,
down
on
all
fours,
my
head
laying
on
the
floor,
reaching
into
the
carrier.
The
male
jumps
up,
puts
himself
in
front
of
the
female,
draws
himself
up
to
his
full
three
inch
towering
height,
plants
his
massive
paws
firmly
on
the
ground,
and
lets
out
with
a
mighty
roar!
Which
barely
registers
as
a
sound!.
See
Karel
laughing
so
hard,
big
ass
shaking,
head
buried
in
arms,
almost
in
tears......
12
Hour
Update
Saturday
June
9,
2001
11:25pm
They
have
made
the
bathroom
completely
theirs.
Warm,
fuzzy
rugs,
empty
waste
paper
basket
to
jump
on,
towel
basket
to
rummage
in
and
their
draped
carrier
to
sleep
and
hide
in.
Tiny
as
they
are,
they
have
even
managed
to
jump
into,
and
play
in,
the
tub.
I've
been
checking
every
two
hours.
(yes,
I
make
myself
wait
that
long)
If
they're
in
their
little
house,
I
just
back
out
and
leave
them
be.
If
not,
I
go
in
and
spend
at
least
fifteen
minutes
with
them.
Playing,
holding
and
just
making
myself
known.
They
don't
run
when
I
come
in
any
more.
At
first,
they
didn't
want
to
eat.
The
boy
would
nibble
at
the
dry
stuff,
but
they
wouldn't
touch
the
Iams
canned
kitten
food.
Ok.
Well,
we
can't
have
that,
so
I
experimented
a
bit
and
came
up
with
what
seems
like
the
perfect
mixture
for
them.
Warmed
food
mixed
with
Regulator
Milk
Replacer.
A
nice,
slurpy,
goop
that
they
slop
down
like
little
hogs.
After
two
plates
full,
they
finally
gave
in.
The
boy
first,
then
the
girl,
dragged
their
full
bellies
to
the
house,
plopped
down
just
inside
the
opening
and
started
to
purr.....
I
know
it
was
just
the
acoustics
of
the
bathroom
that
made
it
sound
like
a
NASA
engine
testing
(I
used
to
live
next
to
Patrick
Air
Force
Base)
but
that
sound
was
true
music
this
time.
Both
of
them,
in
tune
with
each
other,
purring
away,
eyes
closing.
I
backed
out
quietly,
shut
off
the
light
and
came
out
here.
Sunday
June
10,
4:00am
Time
to
bring
them
more
food.
Wow,
can
that
little
boy
eat!
I
went
in,
quietly
and
saw
that
I
didn't
need
to
be
all
that
quiet.
They
had
been
playing
and
had
everything,
that
wasn't
nailed
down,
all
over
everywhere.
Towels
had
been
snuggled
on,
toys
had
been
played
with,
dry
food
dish
had
been
overturned
and
the
contents
scattered
under
and
over
all.
It
was
a
very
joyful
sight.
It
looked
like
it
had
been
fun,
but
smelled
a
little
heavy.
Sure
enough,
one
of
them
had
had
a
great
big
poop.
In
relation
to
size,
Runner
might
have
made
that
one,
but
I
was
sure
it
was
the
boy.
I
took
out
the
litter
box
and
brought
in
a
fresh
one.
By
this
time
they
had
finished
eating
-
again
-
so
I
sat
down
to
play
with
them.
Then
I
saw
something
that
I
had
never
seen
or
heard
of
before.......
She
went
to
the
litterbox
and
urinated.
He
ran
over
to
her
and
immediately
began
to
cover
it
up.
They
both
sniffed,
covered,
sniffed,
covered
again.
They
kept
this
up
until
it
looked
like
a
completely
fresh
box.
This
must
have
been
one
of
their
survival
tactics
for
those
weeks
in
the
wild.
This
and
probably
many
other
instinctive
actions
allowed
them
to
stay
alive
until
they
were
found
by
Pam.
It
was
amazing
to
watch
the
cooperation
between
the
two
of
them.
They
worked
together.
They
are
a
team.
Sunday
June
10,
5:45am
Runner
All
day
yesterday
Runner
acted
normally,
if
a
little
put
out.
And
just
maybe
demanding
more
attention
than
usual.
So,
I
gave
it
to
her.
No
problem.
She's
such
a
sweet
little
(?)
thing
anyway.
But
this
morning
she
really
surprised
me.
Not
long
after
spending
time
with
the
Munchkins,
see
below
entry,
she
did
a
most
unusual
thing.
She
had
been
in
the
hallway
off
of
the
bathroom.
All
of
a
sudden
I
hear
this
loud
thud
and
a
horrible
screech
snarl
hiss.
Impossible
to
describe.
She
had
taken
a
flying
leap
and
charged
the
bathroom
door!
Apparently
one
of
the
Munchkins
had
been
playing
near
the
bottom
of
the
door
and
Runner
decided
to
show
her
displeasure.
I
ran
to
her
immediately,
picked
her
up
and
hugged
her,
talking
to
her
softly.
I
tried
to
let
her
know
that
I
wasn't
angry
with
her,
I
just
wanted
her
to
calm
down.
She
did.
Then,
at
the
first
sound
out
of
the
bathroom,
turned
around
and
did
it
again.
This
time
I
ignored
her
and
kept
on
typing.
She
just
looked
at
me,
as
if
to
say,
aren't
you
impressed?
Aren't
you
going
to
pick
me
up
like
before?
When
I
continued
to
ignore
her,
she
just
huffed
away
into
the
bedroom
-
her
territory.
I
think
it
will
be
a
few
days
before
I
try
to
introduce
these
little
ones
to
the
Great
and
Mighty
Fierce
Warrior,
Runner.
(me
thinks
she's
read
too
many
of
her
own
stories,
no?)
Sunday
June
10,
4:45pm
Observations
on
feral
kittens.
Its
been
ten
years
since
I
raised
a
kitten,
but
I
haven't
forgotten
many
moments
of
that
experience.
I
didn't
keep
a
journal
then
-
who
knew
how
important
to
my
life
Tinker
Toy
would
become?
But
I
have
noticed
many,
many
differences
that
might
be
attributed
to
these
two
being
feral.
Other
differences
might
also
be
attributed
to
my
lack
of
experience.
Litter
box.
Or
pan
in
this
instance.
I
had
placed
it
between
the
tub
and
toilet.
Well
away
from
where
they
sleep
and
play.
First,
like
I
said
before,
they
are
extremely
careful
to
cover
all
traces
of
themselves.
They
work
together
in
this
and
are
extremely
careful,
looking
over
their
shoulders
constantly.
Second,
if
the
litter
box
slips
too
close
to
the
tub,
so
that
when
they
step
into
it
it
makes
a
sound,
they
will
run.
Not
to
their
sleeping
place,
but
go
and
hide
somewhere
else.
Each
in
a
separate
direction.
Whoever
makes
the
sound,
the
other
one
knows
immediately
and
runs.
They
tend
to
cover
for
each
other,
in
that
when
one
heads
for
the
litter
box
the
other
one
stands
guard.
Maybe
the
reason
they
separate
is
for
one
to
lead
trouble
away
from
the
other
one.
That
makes
sense.
Food.
When
I
first
started
feeding
them,
they
didn't
want
to
eat
it.
They
were
hungry,
but
didn't
trust
me
or
the
food.
After
hand
feeding
them,
even
using
a
nurser,
they
began
to
trust
me
-
and
the
food
that
I
brought.
Now
they
gobble
everything
I
bring
-
as
if
they
didn't
know
that
I
would
keep
bringing
it
and
they
had
to
get
all
the
nourishment
they
could,
while
they
could.
Again,
one
stands
guard
while
the
other
one
eats.
They
will
not
eat
at
the
same
time.
Even
when
I
bring
food
in
two
different
dishes.
As
soon
as
one
has
eaten
some,
it
will
stand
back.
The
other
one
will
rush
in
and
begin
to
eat.
They
will
switch
back
and
forth
several
times.
They
take
turns
in
who
gets
to
go
first
and
it's
a
silent
decision.
I've
not
seen
any
indication
of
how
they
decide
whose
turn
it
is
this
time.
Dish
preference.
Now
this
might
sound
silly,
but
they
prefer
to
eat
out
of
Haviland
china
instead
of
foam,
plastic
or
paper.
I've
tried
all
types
(one
of
the
things
I
did
not
think
of
when
I
was
rushing
around
Friday
was
what
to
feed
them
with)
They
definitely
prefer
the
heaver
china.
(well,
so
do
I,
but.......)
Perhaps
it's
again
noise.
The
foam,
plastic
and
paper
make
noises
when
they
eat.
Either
sliding
on
the
floor
or
when
their
tongue
hits
the
bottom.
The
china
does
not.
Interesting.
Picture
Karel,
"Hum,
lets
see......last
time
I
used
one
plastic
and
one
foam,
this
time
I'll
try
one
paper
and
one
china.)
What
is
this,
an
experiment?
Sort
of.
Even
with
two
dishes,
only
one
will
eat
at
a
time
and
will
always
head
for
the
heaviest
dish.
So.
Bottom
line
is,
noise
will
give
their
presence
away.
Maybe
that's
why
they
have
yet
to
make
a
single
meow.
Even
while
playing,
they're
silent.
No
Thundertoes
from
these
two.
They
will
purr,
but
only
when
I'm
with
them
-
or
if
otherwise,
I
can't
hear
them.
If
a
predator
knows
where
they
are,
they
have
to
flee.
As
long
as
they're
silent,
they
can
stay.
Or
those
are
my
observations
anyway.
Oh
how
I
wish
for
a
webcam.
No,
I'm
not
experimenting
with
these
two
little
royals.
This
is
just
my
way
of
trying
to
get
to
know
as
much
about
them
as
possible.
And
the
more
I
know,
the
more
I
love
them.
Whoops!
Almost
gave
away
a
hint
as
to
names
I'm
thinking
about.
Another
clue,
to
me,
is
those
whiskers
on
the
boy.
So
huge!
They
almost
brush
the
ground.
The
girl's
are
more
in
proportion.
His
are
just
fantastic.
They
are
both
fantastic.
Monday,
June
11,
10:30am
Profound
observation
on
the
third
day
Kitty
poop
stinks!
I
left
the
house
at
7:30
to
head
for
work.
An
hour
later
I
came
home.
Opened
the
door
-
and
WHEWWEEEE.
More
on
better
topics
later.
Mom
and
my
niece
are
coming
over.
(I
wish
I
had
saved
a
shot
to
capture
the
unbelieveable
mess
these
two
are
capable
of.)
I
also
thought
that
kittens
slept
a
lot.
WRONG.
These
are
toddlers
already
and
insist
on
showing
me
that
fact.
Monday,
June
11,
2:00pm
Last
night
was
picture
night.
Quite
a
fun
trip.
Trying
to
get
two
little
tornadoes
to
stand
still
can
be
nerve
wracking.
That's
the
last
time
I'll
only
get
15
exposures.
Next
time
it'll
be
50.
You
get
one
good
picture
out
of
every
ten
you
snap.
Gee,
I
wonder
why
they
don't
understand
"stay
still
now"?
Or
"smile"
Although
Tari
did
pose
beautifully
for
two
good
ones
of
her.
Just
threw
her
head
back,
looked
at
the
camera
and
stood
still.
Born
to
it.
Of
course,
so
was
her
namesake,
a
certain
little
girl,
whose
name
isn't
Alexia,
but
just
close
enough
for
her
mom
to
know
Tari
was
named
after
her.
This
little
girl
is
very
photogenic
also.
I
fully
expect
her
to
be
a
model
or
movie
star
when
she
grows
up.
Maybe
she'll
pose
with
Tari
one
day.
Che
was
constantly
on
the
move.
He
didn't
like
the
flash
and
even
tried
to
attack
it
once.
I
couldn't
get
a
single
good
shot
of
him.
Oh
Che,
just
like
your
namesake.
Always
on
the
run.
The
outlaw.
The
rebel.
Tall,
dark
and
handsome.
Che
Guevara,
moustaches
and
all.
Mom
and
my
niece
just
left.
The
first
thing
I
asked
them
when
they
came
in
was,
"does
it
smell
in
here?"
Thank
goodness
the
answer
was
no.
Whew.
I'm
afraid
that
when
you're
around
the
smell
too
long
you
get
used
to
it.
I
guess
once
they
graduate
to
a
more
solid
food,
it'll
stop.
Hope?
They're
beginning
to
want
to
explore
beyond
the
bathroom.
Runner
continues
to
NOT
want
them
outta
there.
Nikki
had
a
good
idea,
to
bring
their
smell
to
Runner.
Well,
she
pulled
a
hissy
fit.
I
brought
out
the
towel
that
they've
been
sleeping
on
and
laid
it
by
Runner.
She
let
out
a
howl,
jumped
three
feet
off
the
sofa
and
ran.
Right
into
her
bedroom
and
wouldn't
come
out.
I
took
a
few
pictures
of
her
too.
One
of
her
peeking
out
from
under
the
throw
on
the
sofa
and
one
of
her
in
my
office
chair.
She's
a
good
cat
and
I
love
her.
She
just
wants
me
with
her
constantly
and
I
can't
get
anything
done.
When
I
try
to
ignore
her
she
starts
her
talking.
And
talking....and
talking......
I
had
hoped
the
kittens
would
give
her
something
to
do.
HA.
We'll
see.
There's
plenty
of
time.
Next
step,
in
a
few
minutes,
is
to
put
Runner
into
her
bedroom
and
bring
the
kittens
out
to
the
living
room.
Do
I
really
want
to
do
this?
I
think
I've
covered
up
all
of
the
hiding
places,
but......
Let
you
know
later.
Tuesday,
June
12,
10:30am
Another
rule
for
kitten
watching
Do
not
wiggle
bare
toes
in
presence
of
playing
kittens
(Kitten
teeth
hurt!)
Tuesday,
June
12,
6:00am
Runner
This
begins
day
four.
I
had
hoped
to
have
the
kittens
out
of
the
bathroom
by
now.
Runner
says,
I
don't
think
so.
And
that
attitude
really
makes
it
tough.
I
thought
about
bringing
them
out
one
at
a
time
and
just
letting
them
explore,
but
then
what
if
it
only
makes
them,
Che
especially,
want
out
permanently?
Right
now
they're
comfortable
and
safe
in
their
little
world.
Runner
won't
even
come
to
me
if
she
smells
their
scent
on
me.
She
will
growl
and
hiss
at
me.
I've
even
picked
her
up
and
held
her,
but
I
thought
she'd
actually
bite
me!
And
that
is
not
her
usual
way.
So
this
is
quite
a
dilemma.
She
will
lay
where
she
can
see
the
door.
When
she
walks
by
it
on
the
way
to
the
bedroom,
she
growls
and
hisses,
not
just
softly,
but
very
meanly.
Very
mean.
That
definitely
tells
the
kittens
that
they
don't
want
to
go
out
there.
I've
gone
to
great
lengths
to
even
change
clothes
to
spend
more
time
with
Runner.
Play
her
games,
brush
her,
talk
to
her.
This,
of
course,
is
what
she
has
always
wanted
in
the
first
place.
It's
just
one
of
the
reasons
why
I
wanted
additions
to
the
household.
I
thought
she
wouldn't
be
so
demanding
of
my
time
if
she
had
another
cat
or
two
to
play
with.
As
it
is,
she
wants
my
attention
24/7.
Not
only
do
I
have
many
other
things
to
do,
too
much
time
with
her
is
quite
boring.
How
long
can
one
play
chase
the
mousie?
GGrrrrrrr.
I
thought
that
she
would
really
have
more
fun
with
other
cats.
It
might
still
be
that
way.....or
am
I
just
dreaming?
More
Rules
for
Kitten
Watching
Only
wear
sturdy
jeans.
Never
shorts
or
skirts.
(Oh
well,
says
Che,
they
looked
like
tree
trunks
to
me)
Always
fix
twice
the
amount
of
their
feeding
portions
Only
50%
will
ever
reach
their
stomachs
Observation:
A
kitty's
tummy
is
the
most
precious
spot.
Wednesday
June
13,
11:am
Day
five
and
I've
got
to
get
them
out
of
that
bathroom.
Runner
has
calmed
down
some.
She
spent
last
evening
just
sitting
outside
of
their
door,
watching.
She
didn't
snarl
or
growl
once
-
at
them.
But
when
I
picked
her
up,
she
took
one
sniff
at
me
and
hissed
-
loudly!
The
kittens
haven't
seen
daylight
since
Saturday.
Got
to
get
them
out
of
there.
The
bathroom
is
a
mess.
It
smells
in
there.
Kibble
all
over
the
floor,
mixed
with
kitty
litter
and
spilled
water.
Tufts
of
rug
mixed
with
the
food.
Whew
-
Peeuuuwww.
Got
to
air
that
place
out!
Wait
until
Runner's
asleep,
then
close
the
bedroom
door.
Open
the
bathroom
door.
Ok,
now
pick
up
one
at
a
time...where'd
they
go?
Oh
Oh..Hiding
in
the
tub...Humm,
didn't
think
they
even
knew
how
to
get
in
the
tub....Come
on
you
guys....Don't
be
afraid.
Sit
down
and
hold
them
one
at
a
time
with
the
door
open.
Tari
so
scared
she
wants
to
hide
under
my
arm.
Won't
sit
still.
Che
-
makes
a
running
dash
towards
the
open
door
-
gets
to
the
opening
-
leaps
and
turns
at
the
same
time
and
dashes
back
into
the
tub.
Waits
a
minute
then
repeats
the
entire
process.
Tough
guy,
challenges
empty
air.
But
he
doesn't
know
it's
empty.
He's
just
challenging
any
thing
that
might
be
there.
Then
runs
for
safety.
Tari
watches
him....scared.
Pick
up
the
room
while
they
hide
in
the
tub.
Can't
use
a
vacuum
or
even
broom.
Two
tiny
little
things
cowering
in
the
tub.
Would
be
cute
if
not
so
sad.
Pick
up
Che
and
carry
him
out
into
the
living
room.
He's
relaxed
in
my
arms,
watching
everything.
The
verticals
on
the
patio
door
are
open
letting
the
sunshine
in.
He
cowers
and
tries
to
hide.
I
slowly
walk
him
around
past
the
kitchen
and
through
the
dining
room.
Back
to
the
bathroom,
his
world,
and
down
he
goes.
Straight
for
the
tub.
Pick
up
Tari.
Do
the
same
thing.
She
refuses
to
even
look.
Her
little
heart
is
pounding
against
my
arm
so
hard
I
think
it
will
burst.
Quickly,
back
to
her
little
world.
I
close
the
door
and
sit
down.
Then
gently
pick
them
up
out
of
the
tub
and
into
my
lap.
They
stay
there,
but
do
not
purr.
Just
watch
the
door.
Scared.
I
keep
petting
them,
but
they
still
won't
relax.
I
put
them
back
into
the
tub
and
go
out,
closing
the
door
again.
Now
I
hear
them
playing,
happy.
I
don't
think
it
was
a
total
failure.
Just
one
more
step.
(At
least
the
room
got
aired
out
a
bit)
I'll
do
it
again
in
a
few
hours.
They
need
sunshine
-
surely
they
must.
I
haven't
read
that
anywhere,
but
they
can't
live
in
a
dark
room
with
only
light-fixture
light
and
no
vitamin
D.
No
matter
how
happy
they
are
to
be
what
they
consider
safe.
Yeah,
a
few
more
hours
and
I'll
try
it
again.
More
Kitty
Watching
Rules
Eventually
they
will
find
the
toilet
paper
Thursday
June
14,
4:30am
Day
six
begins.
At
least
the
little
ones
keep
weird
hours
too.
I
couldn't
resist
waking
them
up
when
I
couldn't
sleep
any
more
and
they
didn't
mind
at
all.
This
morning
they
were
sleeping
outside
of
their
carrier.
Che
was
on
the
toilet
seat
and
Tari
was
the
basket.
Separate!
The
first
time
I've
seen
this.
They
also
eat
at
the
same
time
now.
I
put
down
two
dishes
and
two
heads
duck
into
the
food
immediately.
Che
continues
to
be
obsessed
with
covering
anything
the
litter
box.
Tari
leaves
it
to
him.
Even
her
own.
She's
got
better
things
to
do
apparently
-
like
play.
Che
even
tries
to
cover
the
food
that's
left
in
the
bowls.
Does
he
just
have
a
covering
fetish,
or
is
covering
food
normal?
Wish
I
knew.
Che
is
also
displaying
aggressive
behavior.
They
always
played
together,
but
it
seems
as
if
his
play
is
more
rougher
now.
He
actually
pounces
on
her
back
and
tries
to
bite
her
neck.
I
know
that
this
is
normal
sexual
behavior,
but
he's
much
to
young
for
that.
Maybe
it's
just
practice
for
him,
but
she
doesn't
like
it
one
bit.
But
she
also
doesn't
like
it
when
I
pull
him
off
of
her.
He
gets
so
rough
that
I'm
afraid
he'll
hurt
her,
so
I
pick
him
up
and
tell
him
no!
She
glares
at
me
and
pounces
on
him
and
they're
off
again.
I
guess
she
can
handle
her
own.
I
hope.
When
I'm
holding
Che,
Tari
just
watches,
patiently,
waiting
her
turn.
When
I'm
holding
Tari,
Che
insists
on
using
my
legs
as
climbing
posts
to
get
into
my
lap.
He
can't
stand
to
be
out
of
the
action
for
one
minute.
Especially
when
he
can't
see
what's
going
on.
When
I
get
back
from
work
this
morning,
I'll
try
the
open
door
thing
again.
Che
showed
signs
of
wanting
to
go
out
of
the
door
last
night
and
this
morning.
Whether
he
really
will
try,
we'll
see
later
today.
Thursday
June
14,
11:00pm
The
Vet!
Today
was
vet
day
and
a
pretty
good
experience
for
all.
They
had
free
run
of
the
apartment
for
an
hour
this
morning.
Che,
naturally,
had
to
be
the
first
to
venture
out.
Tari
couldn't
be
without
him
for
long,
so
she
followed.
They
ran
from
one
hiding
spot
to
another
one.
All
I
ever
saw
was
a
streak
of
gray/black,
and
then
another
streak,
then
nothing.
A
couple
minutes
later,
the
same
thing.
Neither
one
ever
stayed
out
in
the
open
except
to
run
to
a
new
hiding
place.
They
spent
an
entire
hour
doing
this,
but
by
the
end
of
that
hour
it
was
a
game
with
them.
They
knew
I
was
there,
watching
them,
so
they
would
look
at
me
as
they
ran
past,
as
if
to
say
"come
play".
Yes,
my
intent
was
to
let
them
tire
themselves
out.
They
did.
I
let
them
nap
for
another
hour,
then
it
was
time
to
get
packed
up.
So,
sleepy
and
content,
they
got
their
carrier
covered
and
were
carried
out
to
the
car.
I
had
stared
the
air
conditioner
a
few
minutes
earlier
so
they
wouldn't
faint
from
the
heat
(97degrees
outside
of
the
car)
They
are
good
riders...provided
they
can
see
me.
I
rode
with
the
fingers
of
my
right
hand
inside
the
cage.
They
played
the
few
blocks
there.
Once
inside,
it
was
a
different
story.
Dogs.
We
only
had
to
wait
a
few
minutes,
but
I
kept
the
carrier
on
my
lap
with
the
opening
facing
me
and
kept
talking
to
them.
When
in
the
examining
room,
I
opened
their
door
and
put
my
whole
arm
inside.
Che
laid
on
one
side
and
Tari
on
the
other.
Both
purring
up
a
storm.
Tari
even
wrapped
herself
around
my
arm.
Picture
Karel,
arm
inside
carrier,
head
down
by
opening,
butt
stuck
out,
chest
on
table,
getting
major
crick
in
back,
but
afraid
to
move!
Tari
weighs
2
lbs
12
oz
and
Che
weighs
3
lbs
2
oz.
They
got
the
stick
poked
up
their
butts
and
more
wormer,
a
shot
each
and
some
ear
mite
medicine,
but
did
not
make
a
fuss
about
anything.
They
were
angels.
Poor
little
Che.
He
was
so
stressed
out
after
the
fecal
check
that
he
started
nursing
on
the
corner
of
their
blanket.
I
felt
so
sorry
for
him
that
I
wanted
to
cry,
but
Tari
went
to
him
and
started
grooming
him.
He
calmed
down.
It's
beginning
to
look
as
if
Tari
is
the
rock,
not
the
larger,
bolder
Che.
Isn't
that
usually
the
way
it
ends
up?
All
three
of
us
crashed
for
a
long
nap.
We
deserved
it.
Another
Kitten
Rule
Don't
bother
buying
all
those
store
toys
An
empty
TP
roll,
a
pony-tail
band
(the
kind
with
balls),
a
tied-in-knots
tennis
sock....
Friday
June
15,
6:30am
Tari
knows
her
name
and
Che
talks
What
a
beautiful
morning.
I
had
heard
them
play
around
4am
(they're
picking
up
my
habits)
so
I
tiptoed
in.
Che
was
doing
the
playing,
but
I
couldn't
see
Tari.
I
sat
down
on
the
floor
and
softly
called
her
name
several
times.
In
just
a
few
minutes
I
saw
her
little
head
peek
out
from
behind
the
carrier.
She
trotted
right
over
to
me
and
crawled
up
into
my
lap
all
sleepy
eyed
and
started
to
purr.
Each
time
I
pick
one
up
and
pet
them,
I
say
their
name
over
and
over,
but
I
didn't
realize
that
it
was
working.
When
I
finally
gave
in
to
Che's
demands
that
I
play
with
him
too,
I
put
Tari
down
and
started
to
say
Che.
He
squeaked!
Not
exactly
a
lion-like
roar,
but
a
very
welcome
squeak.
More
like
a
rat.
I'll
swear
that
he
also
knows
his
name,
but
just
prefers
not
to
come
when
called.
My
little
man
is
very
stubborn.
And
also
growing.
His
legs
have
gotten
so
much
longer,
in
just
these
few
days.
(hard
to
believe
it's
only
been
six)
Tari
is
shorter
but
is
larger
boned.
Che
is
now
all
legs,
ears
and
paws.
More
Kitten
Rules
Iams
Kitten
food
will
wash
out
of
dry-clean-only
linen.
Eventually.
As
with
human
babies,
kiss
them
good-bye
before
you
get
dressed.
When
the
refrigerator
light
is
out,
always
keep
the
Whiskars
Cats
Milk
on
a
different
shelf
than
the
International
Coffee
Creamer.
Cats
Milk
does
not
taste
good
in
coffee.
Saturday
June
16,
7:45am
One
week
today
and
all
my
attempts
at
introduction
have
failed.
Miserably.
I
spent
hours
and
hours
yesterday
(when
I
should
have
been
catching
up
on
my
work)
on
my
knees
in
front
of
the
bathroom
door
with
Runner.
I
thought
that
if
I
sat
there
with
her
and
watched
the
crack
under
the
door
while
the
kittens
played
inside,
that
she
would
grow
more
comfortable
with
them.
At
least
she
didn't
growl
and
only
an
occasional
hiss
-
when
little
Che
would
put
his
paw
under
the
door.
I
talked
and
talked
to
her,
petted
her
and
called
her
a
good
girl.
Twice
yesterday
I
let
the
kittens
out
for
an
hour
each
time.
Che
put
on
his
usual
show
-
running
all
over
everything
-
exploring
everything.
I
had
wondered
why
Runner
had
stopped
eating.
I
had
thought
that
depression
had
set
in,
but
now
I
knew.
I
saw
Che
standing
with
two
feet
in
each
of
Runner's
double
bowl
of
Meow-Mix.
And
dancing
in
it!
Like
he
was
stomping
grapes
or
something!
After
the
second
outing,
Runner
was
even
more
upset
than
usual.
She
couldn't
settle
down.
Couldn't
find
a
place
to
settle
down.
Wouldn't
come
up
to
my
lap
-
even
after
I
changed
my
clothes
and
washed
up.
I
sprayed
my
fabric
easy
chair
with
Febreeze
and
even
that
didn't
help.
Che
had
run
all
over
'her'
couch,
been
all
over
everything,
so
she
would
only
stay
in
the
bedroom
or
continuously
ask
to
go
out.
(That
she
ain't
gonna
do!)
I
finally
brought
out
a
fresh
sheet
and
covered
her
couch
for
her.
Then
she
could
settle
down,
but
she
kept
glaring
at
me.
No
playing,
no
catnip,
no
grooming.
Now
that
depressed
me.
This
morning,
at
4am,
my
usual
get-moving
time
I
was
very
depressed.
I
haven't
slept
all
week.
I
usually
crash
for
about
15
or
20
hours
during
a
week
of
no
sleep.
Now,
even
when
continuously
'on'
for
days
in
a
row,
I
wake
after
only
two
or
three
hours.
I'm
used
to
Runner
being
right
by
my
side
in
bed.
I
wake
and
find
her
growling
at
the
bathroom
door.
Then
I
have
to
go
check
on
the
kittens.
I'm
behind
on
my
work.
I
can't
seem
to
concentrate
and
payroll
is
due
next
week.
The
apartment
is
a
mess
and
I'm
afraid
to
run
the
vacuum.
I
go
around
with
the
duster
and
the
carpet
sweeper,
but
that
doesn't
help
much
for
cat
hair.
I
clean
the
bathroom
while
Tari
creeps
out
far
enough.
Just
the
broom
scares
her
so
I
put
her
in
the
carrier
and
cover
it.
Then
I
have
to
spend
a
half
hour
with
her
to
calm
her
down.
I
decided
to
push
the
introduction
a
bit.
I
sat
with
Runner
by
the
door
and
opened
it
a
bit.
Che
immediately
came
to
the
opening.
Runner
hissed.
Che
didn't
cower,
he
just
stayed
by
me
and
put
his
head
down
and
took
it.
I
was
so
proud
of
him.
Tari
put
her
nose
into
the
opening
and
Runner
went
off.
She
growled,
spat
and
hissed.
I
became
so
upset
at
this.
I
put
the
babies
back
into
the
room,
holding
them
and
talking
calmly.
Then
shut
the
door
and
went
off.
I
called
Runner
every
name
in
the
book
-
especially
'selfish
bitch'.
I
told
her
she
was
a
bad
girl,
that
I
hated
her
and
I
didn't
want
her
around
any
more.
That
I
wanted
all
three
of
them
and
if
she
wouldn't
cooperate
then
she
could
just
leave.
Get
the
hell
out
of
here.
I
even
opened
the
door
for
her.
Thank
god
she
didn't
go.
She
ran
back
into
the
only
place
the
kittens
haven't
been,
the
bedroom.
I
shut
the
door
and
let
the
kittens
out.
Now
I'm
here
while
they
enjoy
their
freedom
and
Runner
sulks
in
the
bedroom.
I'm
sure
everyone
that
has
introduced
a
new
animal
into
the
house
has
had
to
go
through
this.
Some
will
post
and
tell
me
not
to
give
up,
that
it
will
work,
just
keep
trying.
I
am
greatly
encouraged
by
all
of
the
support
that
everyone
has
given
me,
but
today
is
just
a
really
rough
day.
Its
seven
months
tomorrow
since
I
lost
Tinker
Toy.
And
here
I
am,
trying
to
get
three
cats
to
get
along.
Just
seven
months
after
she's
gone.
Would
she
have
acted
like
Runner?
No,
but
then
she
isn't
Runner.
No
telling
what
kind
of
life
Runner
had
or
why
she's
so
jealous.
I
have
to
keep
remembering
that.
Toy
was
so
very
secure
in
her
closeness
to
me.
She
was
never
jealous
of
anything.
If
I
was
doing
something
that
took
my
time
away
from
her,
she
would
simply
join
me.
But
she's
gone
and
these
three
are
not
Toy.
I
guess
I'm
trying
to
make
up
in
quantity
what
Toy
gave
me
in
quality.
I
don't
know.
I
only
know
that
I'm
tired,
I'm
sad
and
I
want
all
three.
I
won't
give
a
single
one
up
and
I'll
keep
this
two-out-one-in
back
and
forth
stuff
up
forever
if
I
have
to.
Sorry
for
the
personal
stuff
here
-
this
is
their
journal
-
but
I
guess
it's
part
of
them
now
too.
Sunday
June
17,
7pm
Yesterday
evening
and
today
were
much,
much
better.
I
got
over
my
temper
tantrum
as
soon
as
I
got
another
few
hours
sleep
under
my
belt.
Runner,
for
some
reason,
isn't
taking
it
out
on
me
anymore.
I
don't
have
to
change
my
clothes
each
time
I
leave
the
kittens
and
she
doesn't
just
sit
and
stare
at
me
and
cry.
She
still
watches
the
crack
under
the
door,
but
I
didn't
put
kinks
in
my
back
staying
with
her.
Yesterday
must
have
done
the
trick
on
that
score.
As
soon
as
I
open
the
bathroom
door,
Che
is
ready,
willing
and
able
to
dash
out.
Doesn't
look
any
more,
doesn't
care
anymore
-
you
can
almost
hear
him
yell
Freedom!
And
off
goes
Thundertoes.
Now
Twinkletoes
takes
her
own
sweet
time.
She's
gotta
peep
out
from
'her'
carrier
(she
won't
let
Che
in
anymore
-
its
hers!)
peep
out
from
around
the
door
jam,
stick
one
cute
little
toe
over
the
sill,
then
another
then
quickly
spin
around
and
run
back
to
her
cave.
Repeat
entire
process
all
over
again.
This
morning
I
gave
up
waiting
for
Teri.
Che
was
running
totally
wild
in
the
living
room
and
I
wanted
to
make
sure
he
didn't
do
himself
damage,
so
I
parked
myself
in
the
easy
chair.
Twinkletoes
got
her
courage
up
and
finally
joined
him
in
his
'work'.
(To
remove
anything
that
had
been
put
on
any
table
and
put
it
where
it
belongs
-
on
the
floor)
I
wanted
to
watch
the
Sunday
morning
show,
so
I
picked
up
the
remote
and
clicked
it
on.
Never
thinking
that
these
two
had
probably
never
seen
or
heard
a
tv
before.
They
hadn't.
They
almost
knocked
each
other
out
trying
to
get
back
to
their
safe
place.
I
almost
knocked
myself
out
laughing
so
hard.
Che
is
much
more
affectionate
than
I
thought
he
would
be.
During
his
wild
rampaging,
he'll
all
of
a
sudden
stop.
Turn
around
and
look
at
me,
then
trot
over
to
me.
Now
he
waits
for
me
to
pick
him
up.
He
used
to
just
jump
with
claws
already
out.
Then
he'd
get
hung
up
in
my
jeans
and
couldn't
get
free.
Oh,
yeah,
almost
forgot.
Yesterday
afternoon,
I
got
the
bright
idea
to
trim
his
claws.
He
needed
it
bad.
They
were
almost
grown
in
a
U
-
no
wonder
he
wanted
to
scratch
everything.
So,
I
set
meself
down,
with
a
towel,
and
proceeded
to
TRY
to
wrap
the
little
bugger
up.
Ha.
Had
to
put
a
hammer-hold
on
him
and
grab
each
front
paw
with
a
vise
grip.
But
I
got
it
done
without
a
single
quick-nip.
Poor
little
tyke
actually
bit
me
-
right
in
the
fleshy
part
of
my
palm,
under
the
thumb.
Man,
I
could
feel
that
saber-saw
tooth
sink
in......but
I
didn't
dare
draw
back.
I
knew
that
would
tear
it,
so
I
let
him
pull
it
out
himself.
He
did,
and
even
quieted
down
for
a
bit.
He
survived,
but
I
could
hear
Tari
cry
soft
little
noises
while
he
was
struggling.
Her's
aren't
so
bad.
Yet.
So
I'll
do
them
one
bright
afternoon
soon.
I
wonder
what
Che
will
do
when
I
have
to
hold
her
down?
She
is
so
sweet.
She
won't
jump
up
on
me,
but
will
sit
on
my
feet
until
I
pick
her
up.
That's
when
she's
out
of
'her
space'.
When
in
the
bathroom,
she'll
climb
all
over
me.
She
loves
my
shoes.
(well,
flip-flops
are
all
I
wear)
She'll
sniff
them,
walk
around
them,
sniff
them
again.
She's
growing
so
pretty.
Her
face
is
staying
rounder
than
Che's.
And
she's
staying
in
proportion.
She
may
shoot
up,
like
he's
doing
(all
legs),
but
not
yet.
And
she's
so
dainty.
Little
Twinkletoes.
My
dancer.
And
Thundertoes.
My
warrior.
What
a
pair.
Sunday
June
17,
6:45am
Things
are
much
better.
When
Pilose
coined
the
word
Thundertoes,
he
knew
what
he
was
talking
about.
Things
are
going
so
well
that
I
don't
have
time
for
more
now.
Gotta
go
round
up
the
herd.
Tuesday
June
19,
6:30am
Another
Kitten
Rule
One
look
at
a
kitten's
face
will
immediately
stop
your
busy
life,
lift
your
darkest
mood
and
turn
the
biggest
grouch
into
a
smiling,
grinning
idiot.
Today
and
tomorrow
will
be
very
busy
for
me,
so
I
won't
have
time
to
post
much.
The
kittens
are
spending
more
time
romping
all
over
the
place
while
I
work
at
my
desk
in
the
living
room.
Runner
is
spending
more
time
in
the
bedroom.
She
seems
to
prefer
it
that
way.
The
kittens
have
never
been
in
there
-
it
is
her
space.
Her's
and
mine.
I
go
in
there
for
a
few
minutes
about
every
hour.
We
lay
in
the
bed
together
and
talk.
She
loves
this
attention,
and
just
might
not
resent
the
little
ones
as
much
this
way.
I
even
bring
her
food
and
water
in
there
to
her.
I've
also
opened
up
the
bedroom
window
so
she
can
sit
on
the
window
bench
and
dream
of
being
outside.
(I
usually
keep
this
window
shuttered
to
keep
out
the
relentless
Florida
sun
so
I
can
crash
when
able
to.)
So,
all
of
us
are
happy,
if
not
together.
In
a
day
or
two,
I'm
going
to
try
to
leash
Runner
and
take
her
into
the
livingroom
and
sit
with
her
in
the
easy
chair
while
the
kittens
are
out
and
about.
This
will
require
me
going
into
the
box
that
I
packed
all
of
Tinker
Toy's
things
in.
I
know
I'll
start
crying,
so
I'm
kinda
waiting
until
the
work
load
is
over.
I
could
go
out
and
buy
another
leash,
but
since
I
hope
to
have
indoor
cats
only,
it
would
be
a
wasted
expense.
Toy's
leash
will
have
to
do,
so
I
will
have
to
go
into
that
treasured
box.
Wednesday
June
20,
1:00pm
Yesterday,
as
I
was
working,
I
remembered
the
tranquility
fountain
that
I
usually
ran
while
I'm
under
pressure
to
get
the
job
done.
It
has
a
wonderful,
soothing,
bubbly
sound
-
it
also
humidifies
the
room
and
I
keep
it
on
the
end
table
next
to
the
couch.
The
kittens
were
romping
everywhere,
Runner
was
in
her
room,
sound
asleep
and
I
was
on
that
horrid
old
calculator
at
about
the
three
hundredth
time
sheet.
I
saw
the
three
pots
of
kitty
greens
I
had
been
growing
and
decided
to
put
them
around
the
fountain.
I
switched
it
on,
and
before
I
could
get
back
to
my
desk,
the
kittens
had
rushed
the
fountain.
You
would
have
thought
they
were
in
their
own
garden
of
Eden.
They
ate
greens,
played
in
the
fountain
-
dipping
in
their
paws
and
flinging
water
-
drank
from
the
fountain
and
just
looked
happy!
They
must
have
once
lived
around
running
water
because
they
curled
up
and
went
sound
asleep
on
the
couch
next
to
the
fountain.
Like
a
little
bit
of
home.
Runner
is
doing
ok.
She
stays
in
her
room
and
doesn't
bother
the
kittens.
They
play
constantly
and
stay
away
from
Runner.
I
think
it's
going
to
work
out
ok.
Friday
June
22,
12
noon
Wednesday
evening
I
got
up
the
nerve
and
dug
Tinker
Toy's
halter
&
leash
out
of
her
box.
I'll
admit
I
shed
a
tear
or
two
-
heck,
I
even
slept
with
that
leash
Wednesday
night!
Thursday
morning
I
let
the
kittens
out
to
romp
all
over
everything.
I
went
into
Runner's
'room',
the
bedroom,
and
put
the
leash
on
her.
She
wasn't
too
upset,
just
seemed
to
wonder
what
this
silly
thing
was.
Then
I
carried
her
into
the
living
room,
sat
down
with
her
in
my
lap
and
waited
to
see
what
would
happen.
After
a
minute
or
two,
the
Munchkins
came
out
of
hiding
and
began
their
routine.
Up
one
wall
and
down
the
other.
Runner
took
one
look
at
Che
and
hissed.
Che
just
looked
up
at
her
in
my
lap
and
-
I
swear
-
smiled.
Then
started
chasing
dust
bunnies
all
over
again.
Tari
came
by,
stopped
at
my
feet,
looked
up
at
Runner,
and
ran
off
to
play
with
Che.
The
minute
Runner
saw
Tari,
she
switched
from
hissing
to
growling.
That
durned
Runner
growled
for
ten
minutes.
I
sat
there
petting
her,
talking
to
her,
but
she
just
kept
on
growling.
I
finally
picked
her
up
and
took
her
into
the
bedroom.
I
put
her
on
the
bed
and
unhooked
the
leash.
As
I
was
pulling
the
figure-eight
halter
off,
I
caught
a
movement
out
of
the
corner
of
my
eye.
It
was
Che.
In
Runner's
room!
I
had
left
the
door
to
the
bedroom
open
while
I
had
Runner
in
the
livingroom.
Not
only
was
Che
in
there
-
but
Tari
had
run
in
after
him!
I
got
a
good
grip
on
Runner's
scruff
-
didn't
know
what
to
do
-
Che
was
now
eating
Runner's
food
out
of
her
dish
-
Oh,
man,
was
I
scared!
Runner
was
growling
again,
but
hadn't
moved.
I
picked
Runner
up
and
ran
with
her
to
the
bedroom/bathroom
door
and
making
sure
it
was
closed,
ran
with
Runner
into
the
living
room,
closing
the
bedroom/hall
door
behind
me.
Made
sure
the
bathroom/hall
door
was
closed.
Left
Runner
in
the
living
room.
I
went
in
through
the
bathroom/hall
door,
closed
it,
and
opened
the
bathroom/bedroom
door.
Chased
the
Munchkins
out
of
there
and
into
the
bathroom.
Closed
the
bathroom/bedroom
door
behind
me
and
opened
the
bedroom/hall
door.
Chased
Runner
from
the
living
room
into
the
bedroom
and
closed
that
door.
Thought
I
had
it
all
under
control,
when
I
saw
another
flash,
and
there,
in
the
living
room,
was
Tari
again.
Somehow
in
all
of
that
door
stuff,
the
little
girl
had
slipped
through.
I
made
sure
that
all
the
doors
were
closed,
picked
her
up
and
the
two
of
us
sat
in
the
chair
and
recovered
from
the
ordeal.
(She
was
sound
asleep
and
purring
in
a
matter
of
minutes)
It
took
me
another
hour
or
so
to
relax........
Later
yesterday
evening
I
warmed
up
some
chicken
and
dumplings
that
my
neighbor
had
brought
me.
(I
do
not
cook)
I
sat
down
in
my
chair
to
eat
it
and
watch
the
news.
One
whiff
of
that
chicken
and
Che
was
clawing
his
way
up
my
leg
and
plopped
himself
right
into
the
bowl.
Tari
was
only
a
few
inches
behind
him,
but
she
doesn't
use
her
claws...whew!
I
picked
out
two
hunks
of
chicken
and
put
them
on
the
floor,
not
realizing
that
it
would
be
the
beginning
of
a
half-hour
show.
Che
stalked
the
hunk,
leaped
up
into
the
air
and
attacked
it.
He
grabbed
it
in
his
jaws
and
flung
it
across
the
room.
Tari
pounced
on
hers
and
putting
both
paws
firmly
on
it,
started
chewing.
Then
she
backed
off
and
swatted
it
-
hard.
It
hit
Che,
so
he
left
his
and
started
chasing
hers.
She
ran
for
his
and
started
killing
it.
Che
saw
Tari
mauling
his
hunk,
so
he
dropped
hers
and
ran
Tari
down
to
get
his
own
back.
Both
hunks
of
chicken
were
ignored
for
a
minute
while
they
fought
each
other.
Then,
with
no
warning,
they
both
attacked
the
chicken
again.
With
each
attack,
they
would
grab
a
few
bites
off
of
their
hunks,
then
go
kill
it
all
over
again.
Finally
there
was
only
a
scrap
left
for
each
of
them
They
promptly
proceeded
to
cover
their
scraps
up.
They
scratched,
dug,
and
did
everything
they
could
to
bury
their
scraps
in
the
carpet.
I
finally
put
them
out
of
their
misery
by
removing
the
bits
to
the
garbage.
They
fell
sound
asleep
where
they
stood.
I
laughed
for
another
half
hour
and
actually
slept
last
night.
Those
two
did
what
no
medications
have
been
able
to
do
-
wore
me
out!
Saturday
June
24
A
gift
from
Runner.
She
is
accepting
them.
Two
weeks.
Has
it
really
been
only
two
weeks?
It's
been
one
hectic
two
weeks
and
I
wouldn't
want
to
go
through
it
again,
but
I
wouldn't
change
one
thing
for
all
the
peace
and
quiet
in
the
world.
Can
I
remember
what
it's
like
to:
Eat
a
meal
without
cat
hairs
in
it?
Not
have
to
reboot
due
to
kittentoes
in
the
wires?
Not
have
to
use
the
backspace
key
to
wipe
out
the
kitten
tracks
on
what
I'm
writing?
Be
able
to
concentrate
on
what
I'm
writing?
Be
able
to
close
a
door
without
checking
and
rechecking?
Be
able
to
open
a
door
without
checking
and
rechecking?
Feed
just
one
cat?
Empty
just
one
litterbox?
Have
a
clean
house?
Have
a
dirty
house?
Watch
a
movie
and
not
miss
half
of
it?
Talk
on
the
phone
without
saying
-
just
a
sec?
Go
to
the
grocery
store
and
not
have
the
people
behind
me
whisper
about
kittens
or
"just
how
many
cats
does
she
have
anyway"?
Go
to
the
grocery
store
for
one
thing
and
get
out
for
under
$50.00?
Be
lonely?
Miss
Toy
so
much
I
cried.
Again
and
again?
No.
I
don't
remember
what
any
of
that's
like.
And
I
don't
want
to.
I
took
Runner
out
into
the
living
room
again
today
-
on
a
leash
of
course,
and
she
just
sat
there.
Growled
a
few
times,
but
mostly
just
watched
them.
She
wanted
to
get
down,
so
I
let
her
(hand
wrapped
tightly
around
that
leash)
She
crawled
a
few
inches
towards
them,
and
watched.
Che
ran
up
to
her
and
almost
touched
her
nose.
She
let
him.
Tari
got
bold
and
crept
closer.
Runner
hissed.
Tari
(my
sweet
little
baby)
hissed
right
back!
Tari's
back
arched,
she
jumped
into
the
air,
spun
around
and
hissed
again.
Runner
growled,
deep,
and
Tari
took
off
like
a
streak
of
black
lightning.
Runner
settled
back
down.
She
had
showed
them
who's
boss.
I'll
not
let
her
off
the
leash
with
them
for
a
few,
but
I
really
think
it's
gonna
be
ok.
Precious
Tari,
sweet
Tari,
you
can't
cover
up
your
water
dish.
I'm
so
sorry,
You
try
so
hard,
but
it
can't
be
done.
Che
my
man,
my
sweet
wonderful
little
boy,
my
dinner
dish
is
not
your
wading
pool
and
you
don't
even
like
salads.
Oh,
you
do....
Monday
June
25
Observations.
Kittens.....
..run
and
hide
the
minute
you
pick
up
a
camera.
..can
hide
in
places
you
didn't
even
know
were
there
..are
charged
with
nuclear
batteries
that
even
the
Energizer
Bunny
envies.
..sleep
harder
than
a
Saturday
night
drunk
on
Sunday
morning
..will
eat
anything
they
can
chew.
..will
swallow
whole
anything
that
they
can't
chew.
..will
attack,
kill
and
maul
to
pieces
anything
they
can't
chew
or
swallow
whole.
..must
be
made
with
pasta
and
jello.
How
else
could
they
twist
and
turn,
bounce,
run
into
walls,
fall
from
tables,
squeeze
into
the
tightest
places
and
play
with
their
own
tails?
Saturday
June
30
What
a
Saturday!
I've
got
to
close
out
June,
the
fiscal
year
and
get
payroll
done
before
Tues
afternoon.
That
means
I
have
to
work
my
butt
off
this
weekend.
During
all
of
this,
I've
got
two
wildcats
molesting
one
bitchcat.
Yeah,
that's
what
its
turning
into.
Che
is
taunting
Runner.
She's
gonna
haul
off
and
really
swat
him
one
of
these
days.
She
looks
at
me
as
if
to
say,
Can
I?
Huh?
Huh?
Can
I?
Pleasseee?
Much
more
of
this
and
I'm
gonna
swat
him.
Runner
is
being
really
good.
To
get
her
out
of
the
bedroom
(I
was
afraid
of
her
going
into
a
depression)
I
closed
the
bedroom
doors
and
made
her
socialize.
Never
thinking
that
Che
would
be
so
agressive.
Runner
growled
at
him,
he
growled
back.
Runner
swatted
him,
he
jumped
up,
spun
around
and
swatted
her
right
back.
Tari
and
I
just
sat
there
with
our
mouthes
open.
Its
taken
Runner
three
weeks
to
get
there,
but
she's
finally
realizing
that
they're
not
going
to
go
away.
I
still
keep
them
out
of
her
room
and
I
let
her
have
the
run
of
the
house
at
night.
I
feel
safer
with
them
in
the
bathroom
at
night.
Safer
for
them,
that
is.
Che
knows
no
fear
and
has
already
gotten
himself
into
some
scrapes
that
could
have
been
bad
if
I
hadn't
of
been
there.
Like
falling
down
behind
the
entertainment
center
and
not
able
to
get
out.
Some
of
his
accidents
have
been
my
fault.
Like
the
first
time
I
left
the
toilet
seat
up.
He
loves
to
sleep
on
the
soft,
warm
lid
cover.
I
had
just
started
brushing
my
teeth
when
he
took
a
jump
to
his
spot.
OMG.
What
a
sight.
One
little,
soaking
wet
rat,
trying
frantically
to
claw
his
way
out
of
the
still-flushing
toilet.
Scared?
Nope.
Not
Che.
Just
furious
at
that
toilet.
As
soon
as
I
dried
him
off
and
put
him
down,
he
attacked
it.
(the
lid
was
down
again
by
then)
Now,
before
he
jumps
up
there,
he
growls
at
it.
Doesn't
look
to
see
if
the
lid
is
up,
mind
you,
just
growls
at
it.
Then
jumps.
Che
Guevara,
reincarnated.
Tari
is
my
special
girl.
She's
so
durn
sweet
it'll
break
your
heart.
She
lays
in
my
lap,
front
paws
crossed
(like
a
proper
little
lady)
and
looks
up
at
my
face
-
all
amber
eyes
-
and
goes
"mewp".
If
I
mewp
back
at
her,
she'll
start
talking.
Then
Runner
starts
growling
and
soon
we
have
a
chorus
going!
So
it's
no
wonder
I
haven't
had
time
to
get
my
work
done.
(Glad
my
boss
doesn't
read
this
-
or
I
don't
think
he
does
anyway)
It's
Time
Out
now,
so
I
can
get
some
dinner
without
Che's
front
paws
in
it.
Then
back
to
the
desk.
Monday
July2
If
its
on
the
floor
-
its
mine
If
its
anywhere
else,
its
my
solemn
duty
to
remove
it
to
the
floor,
then
-
its
mine
If
its
in
your
hand
or
lap
-
its
mine
So
is
your
hand
and/or
lap
If
its
food,
its
really
mine
and
gone.
If
its
your
food,
to
bad.
Its
still
mine.
And
the
worse
part
is,
he
makes
it
so
it
is
his.
He
plants
his
two
front
paws
on
anything
he
wants
to
claim,
looks
around
him
and
just
glares
at
anyone
who
dares
question
him.
I
go
to
pick
up
whatever
it
is
that
he
shouldn't
have
and
he'll
dance
around
it
and
swat
it
out
of
my
reach.
If
it's
too
big
to
swat,
he'll
perch
on
it
and
growl
at
me.
He
really
goes
crazy
over
food.
He
gulps
it
like
there
won't
be
any
tomorrow,
then
runs
looking
for
more.
Sweet,
little
Tari
eats
what
she
can
of
hers,
dumps
it
out
of
her
bowl,
then
tries
frantically
to
cover
it
up.
I
wonder
if
they'll
ever
get
over
these
habits......Its
heartbreaking
to
watch
them.
You
wonder
how
little
food
they
could
scavenge
while
they
were
on
their
own.
Runner
and
I
just
watch
it
all
with
big
grins
on
our
faces.
She's
getting
more
and
more
used
to
them
each
day.
She
watches
them
like
they're
her
own
TV
show.
She
doesn't
get
involved
-
the
few
times
she
did,
Che
ran
her
off.
Big,
12lb
Runner
against
3.5
lb
Che.
Poor
Runner.
(Yeah,
right.
Sitting
safe
and
comfortable
in
my
lap!)
Are
they
spoiled?
You
bet
they
are.
And
I
plan
on
keeping
them
that
way
for
the
rest
of
their
lives.
A
long,
long
time
From
a
letter
to
Logan
and
Pam
Tuesday,
July
17,
2001
I
stopped
entering
in
the
journal
because
the
sweet
little
devils
are
teenagers
now
and
they
have
adapted
so
well
to
being
domesticated
that
they
really
aren't
any
different
than
any
other
kittens
-
except
to
us
of
course!
At
three
and
a
half
months,
they're
healthy
and
very,
very
active.
I
still
can
only
tell
which
is
which
when
they're
together.
Che
is
taller
and
sharper
looking.
By
sharper,
I
mean
his
bone
structure
is
longer,
leaner,
his
face
more
narrow.
He
just
looks
more
male.
(duh
karel....he
IS
more
male)
Tari
is
shorter,
more
rounded,
daintier.
They're
personalities
are
that
way
too.
Che,
as
I
thought
he
would
be,
is
still
into
everything.
Yesterday
it
was
the
green
ink
pad
I
was
working
with.
Wonderful
green
thundertoe
marks
on
the
paperwork
and
the
desk.
I'll
treasure
them.
He
refuses
to
learn
the
word
no.
He's
into
biting
now
and
all
of
my
efforts
to
make
him
stop
biting
me,
even
his
little
love
bites,
had
failed.
Flicking
him
on
the
nose,
using
a
water
bottle....all
failed.
Then
I
found
out
that
all
I
had
to
do
was
say
'ouch'
and
sound
hurt.
He
stops
and
starts
grooming
me
instead.
(hurts
almost
as
much
as
his
little
nips,
but
gee,
who
cares...)
He
wants
to
eat
everything.
Even
if
he
can't
finish
it,
he
has
to
taste
it.
I
won't
let
him
eat
Runner's
food
(more
on
that
later)
so
I
have
to
tell
him
NO
and
shut
the
door
to
the
bedroom
so
she
can
eat
in
peace.
He'll
keep
trying
-
even
though
he
knows
he's
going
to
get
thrown
out.
He
get
the
rowdies
about
nine
pm
and
gets
so
rambunctious
that
I
have
to
put
him
into
time
out
(the
bathroom
again).
He'll
stay
in
there
and
cry,
sulk,
pout,
but
now
he
knows
what
its
for.
I
wait
fifteen
minutes,
then
go
in
there,
sit
down
and
talk
to
him.
By
that
time
he's
ready
to
be
my
good
little
boy
again.
He'll
get
into
my
lap,
purr
and
be
little
Prince
Charming.
Naturally,
the
minute
I
let
him
out,
off
he
goes.
I
worry
so
about
Tari
-
he
gets
so
rough
with
her-
that's
usually
what
his
time
out
is
for.
He
even
chases
Runner
now.
When
he's
been
very
bad,
he'll
crawl
up
into
my
lap,
purring,
and
nuzzle
my
neck.
He
knows
he's
been
bad.
he
also
knows
he
can
twist
me
around
his
little
paw.
Tari
is
the
opposite.
My
sweet
little
angel.
She's
a
wiggle-wort.
At
sleep
time,
she
parks
herself
on
my
head
and
grooms
my
eyebrows!
Then
she
slides,
just
like
an
otter,
down
to
my
shoulder
and
into
my
face.
She
knows
her
whiskers
tickle
me,
but
she
keeps
it
up
until
I
laugh.
She
flips
and
flops
until
finally
she
snuggles
against
my
arm,
purring
more
and
more
quietly,
until
finally
she's
out.
Che
just
drops
right
down
behind
my
knees
and
zap.
He's
out.
Tari
has
to
play
first.
Its
completely
enchanting.
She
still
talks.
Ehh.
Ehh..quietly.
So
quiet
I
can
hardly
hear
her.
When
I
answer
her,
I
can
just
about
see
her
grin.
Then
she
pats
my
face.
Tari
only
eats
the
dry
food
and
a
nibble
at
her
canned.
A
true
dainty
lady.
Now
my
poor
Runner.
Bless
her
heart,
she's
accepted
her
entire
world
being
turned
upside
down,
but
this
last
weekend
was
really
rough
on
her.
I
keep
her
toys
in
a
box
in
the
bedroom.
At
bedtime
I
close
the
door
and
play
her
favorite
game,
chase
the
mousie.
We
do
this
for
about
a
half
hour,
just
the
two
of
us,
before
we
let
the
kiddos
in.
It's
the
highlight
of
her
whole
day.
I
pay
attention
to
her,
even
more
than
the
others,
but
this
is
her
special
time
with
her
special
pink,
fuzzy
mousie.
Last
Friday
night,
I
looked
down
the
hall,
and
there
came
Che,
carrying
her
mousie.
I
ran
into
the
bedroom
and
there
was
Runner,
laying
on
top
of
all
of
her
toys.
Somehow
Che
had
managed
to
get
the
top
off
and
tip
over
her
little
toybox.
Well,
I'm
not
ashamed
to
say
that
I
cried
for
that
poor
dear.
I
couldn't
be
mad
at
Che....he
was
only
doing
what
Che
does.
I
held
her
and
played
with
her
(with
her
other
toys)
for
hours,
but
she
never
would
relax.
She
stayed
so
tense.
That
morning
I
had
done
the
grocery
shopping
and
the
store
I
usually
went
to
didn't
have
her
favorite
food.
Nine
Lives
Tuna
Select.
I
went
to
another
store
-
they
didn't
have
any
either,
so
I
bought
another
type.
She
wouldn't
eat
it.
She
just
hung
her
head
and
went
and
laid
by
the
window.
She
later
nibbled
at
the
dry,
but
never
really
ate.
That
was
her
food
-
her
special
food
that
I
never
let
the
kittens
have
and
now
she
didn't
have
any.
And
now
she
didn't
even
have
her
special
mousie.
Neither
she
nor
I
slept
much
that
night.
Saturday
morning
I
got
into
the
car
(after
I
closed
the
bedroom
door
so
Runner
could
have
some
peace
and
quiet)
and
set
out.
I
drove
about
40
miles
before
I
found
a
store
that
had
her
food
-
I
went
into
the
kid's
spay/neuter
fund
and
bought
out
the
entire
stock.
Then
I
finally
found
another
mousie
just
like
her
old
one.
I
got
it
home,
tore
open
the
package,
put
her
out
of
the
bedroom
and
started
in.
I
rubbed
her
other
toys
all
over
it,
even
dipped
it
into
her
litterbox
trying
to
get
her
smell
on
it.
Then
I
brought
her
breakfast
in
bed
with
her
food.
She
sure
was
happy
to
eat
that
meal!
Then
I
brought
out
the
mousie.
She
saw
it
and
turned
away.
I
held
it
closer
for
her
to
smell
that
it
wasn't
the
one
that
Che
now
has
his
smell
on.
She
perked
up,
reached
out
for
it
and
we
started
to
play.
Now,
we
only
bring
out
her
toybox
when
the
door
is
firmly
closed.
I
can't
let
that
happen
again.
She's
been
so
good
and
trying
so
hard,
but
it
really
is
rough
on
her.
She
watches
them
play,
but
won't
yet
join
in.
She'll
lay
on
the
coffee
table,
close
to
me,
and
just
watch
them.
Sometimes
Che
will
get
near
her
and
she'll
get
agitated.
That
big,
bushy
tail
of
hers
will
start
to
swish.
Well,
that's
all
Che
needs.
Anything
moving
is
fair
game
for
Che.
The
more
Che
pounces
on
it,
the
faster
she'll
swish
it!
Finally
she'll
growl
at
him,
swat
him,
and
he'll
back
off
-
until
he
gets
bored
-
then
back
to
that
tail!
So,
that's
how
they're
doing.
They
got
their
booster
shots
last
week.
Just
a
quick
in
and
out.
I
forgot
to
have
them
weighed
and
we
didn't
even
get
to
see
the
vet.
But
they're
healthy
and
strong
and
oh,
so
very
much
loved.
Much
loved.
Nefertari
Alexis
and
Ramses
Che
February,
2003
Friday,
June
27,
2003,
12:35am
I've
put
this
off
as
long
as
I
can.
I
must
do
it
now.
Sunday
morning,
May
4,
2003,
approximately
4
am,
I
was
working
at
the
computer.
Tari
kept
pawing
at
me.
I'd
ask
her
what
she
wanted,
get
up
so
she
could
show
me,
but
all
she
wanted
was
to
sit
in
my
lap.
I
can't
type
with
her
in
my
lap,
so
I'd
pick
her
up,
pet
her,
put
her
back
down,
and
she'd
start
again.
I
tried
to
ignore
her,
but
Tari
will
not
be
ignored.
She
kept
it
up.
Finally
I
just
hollered
at
her
-
go
away
and
leave
me
alone!!
She
gave
a
sad
little
'uh'
and,
with
her
head
down,
walked
away.
I
thought,
I'll
go
make
it
up
to
her
when
I'm
finished.
I
kept
working.
It
was
noon
before
I
realized
that
Tari
wasn't
around.
This
was
very
unusual.
Tari
was
always
wherever
I
was.
Always!
I
went
into
the
living
room
and
realized
that
the
cat
door
was
open.
Runner
was
laying
on
the
couch
(she
doesn't
go
out
much)
and
Che
was
walking
back
and
forth
across
the
patio.
I
didn't
pay
much
attention
to
him,
just
started
calling
for
Tari.
Tari
was
not
an
outside
cat.
She
rarely
left
the
patio
when
she
did
go
out
to
get
some
sun.
Usually
she
would
lay
just
inside
the
gate
and
watch
Che
chasing
his
squirrels.
Every
single
morning
Che
would
bring
Tari
a
live
lizard
inside
to
play
with..
This
was
a
ritual.
Tari
would
take
his
gift
and
play
with
it
for
hours,
long
after
the
poor
thing
was
out
of
its
misery.
So
it
was
unusual
for
her
not
to
be
right
there
on
the
patio.
I've
never
had
to
call
for
her
before.
She
didn't
come.
I
walked
all
over,
calling
and
calling.
She
didn't
come
home.
I
won't
go
into
the
hours
of
calling
and
searching.
The
night
spent
sleepless,
the
total
anguish
of
not
knowing
where
she
was.
Monday
morning
I
made
flyers
with
her
picture
and
started
stapling
them
to
trees,
telephone
poles,
anything
I
could.
I
was
behind
an
apartment,
about
to
put
up
a
flyer
on
a
tree,
when
a
young
man
stuck
his
head
out
of
the
door.
I
help
up
the
flyer
and
said
that
I
was
looking
for
my
cat.
He
said
"just
a
minute"
and
came
out.
I
showed
him
her
picture,
he
nodded
his
head,
then
said
"I'm
sorry
to
have
to
tell
you
this".
My
heart
sank.
I
knew.
He
had
been
leaving
to
go
to
the
local
Army
base
at
about
10am
the
day
before.
As
he
walked
to
his
car,
he
saw
a
large,
black
and
gold,
long-haired
cat
laying
next
to
the
curb
in
the
parking
lot.
She
looked
like
she
was
sleeping,
but
it
was
a
strange
place
for
a
cat
to
sleep,
so
he
reached
down
to
her.
That
was
when
he
saw
the
small
amount
of
blood
at
her
mouth.
She
was
gone.
There
was
nothing
he
could
do
for
her,
but
he
didn't
want
to
just
leave
her
there.
He
has
pets
of
his
own,
so
he
went
back
to
his
apartment
and
got
a
plastic
trash
bag.
He
picked
her
up,
wrapped
her
carefully
in
it
and
placed
her
in
the
dumpster.
He
said
a
small
prayer
for
her,
but
had
to
leave
for
work.
He
was
late
already.
He
took
me
to
the
spot
where
he
found
her.
It
was
further
than
she
had
ever
been.
He
was
absolutely
certain
that
the
picture
I
had
was
the
cat
he
found.
The
dumpster
had
been
emptied
up
that
morning.
But
I
knew.
She
was
gone.
My
anguish
and
self-hating
is
beyond
words.
The
if-onlys
never
leave
me.
But
I
know
my
Tari.
She
will
forgive
me
one
day.
Beautiful,
sweet
Tari
left
this
earth
on
the
morning
of
May
4,
2003.
She
was
just
two
years
old.
Che,
after
nearly
two
months,
is
beginning
to
recover
from
her
loss.
I've
got
a
way
to
go
yet.
