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Gracie's Bulletin

Worried

Dad is acting weird. I think it's because mom is gone.

First things first. Mom packs a big suitcase on Wednesday, and leaves. Dad says it's because she went to visit her mommy, and she'll be back soon. The same day, dad takes me to the vet.

I hate the vet.

The vet shaves my paw, and puts something in there I just know it. But I can't remember what, I guess whatever she gives me makes me sleepy. Then when I wake up, I am in a cage, and it's the dead of night. I can't play, and there are other prisoners there. I panic a little. Dad doesn't come get me until the next morning, and boy am I glad to see him. I am so glad that I forget to be mad at him for leaving me there!

Dad takes me home, and Boris seems so happy to see me. "I thought you wouldn't come back", he tells me with his licks. He's been spending so much time with me, and I sort of miss my own space. We both miss mom, too. Dad has been spending lots of time at home too. He keeps petting us and telling us that everything is going to be ok. Why would he say that? He's also been spoiling us rotten.

Boris says he remembers the last time that something like this happened. He says it was when he was still a kitten ("And you didn't even exist yet"), but mom was the one consoling him like that after dad left for a few days and Boris kept looking for him. Then mom left the house too (!) for six whole days (!!!), and Boris got to stay home all alone, except for the nice lady who he says brings food when mommies and daddies are gone. I don't like the sound of that.

Boris says she's nice, and she sneaks him some cuddles and games too when she visits, because she likes kitties. But I'm not sure I like this whole deal with mommy and daddy leaving at the same time, so I told Boris I didn't believe him. He must be playing a prank on me.

Maybe mommy is even in on it. Yeah, that's it. It has to be it.

The alternative.... *gulps*

Strange happenings

Momma keeps coming home earlier and earlier these days. For the past couple of months, she would leave as soon as it got light out, and wouldn't come back until it was dark again. But this week, she's been coming home earlier and earlier. Thursday, she came home hours before feeding time.

Boris says that he remembers the days when she'd come home that early every day, if not during the middle of the day. He says this was before my time, and he fears it won't last long. "You'll see, she'll stay home a few days, and then she'll be gone during day light again. It always happens."

I have to admit, I missed mommy. When she was always there in the summer I would ignore her, but when she was gone most of the day, I'd get lonely for her. But then Boris would beat me to the door, and he'd get all the pets from mommy. :( I'd be lucky if she'd pet me at feeding time!

Even if it is just for a few days, I'll take mom being home early if it means she'll fuss over me every once in a while.

When I grow up, I want to be a ninja, and stealth is part of my training. I already have a natural talent at hiding myself, and using the cover of night (mom says that I blend right into the carpet at night, and she has to be very careful not to step on my tail then), so now I am working on hiding other things. I've been hiding toys all over the house as part of my training.

Except that it's not going too well. Mom just caught me trying to hide one of Boris' favorite balls between couch cushions, and she started laughing at me. How rude!! She says that judging from my frantic pawing, I've got a ways to go. It isn't my fault that I am so little and the cushions are so big and heavy. I tried the carrier first, but then Boris goes in and finds it. :(