2008, Last Thoughts

I was really tired New Years Day. All the festivities must have caught up with me. I haven’t been feeling real chipper the last few months, and She has been helping me with my grooming (and of course, quite NOT up to MY satisfaction) and feeding. Been kind of nice being spoon-fed all kinds of goodies, especially my favorite, TUNA. She would wipe my face and give me a brush afterward, which was always nice. I would thank Her with a nice purr. But, in the long run, I think I preferred doing it myself, since I'm so perfect. I just couldn’t quite manage it of late.

I was especially tired New Years Night, and she carried me into the bathroom where it was nice and warm, and put me by my water bowl. But, I couldn’t go to sleep and neither could She. So I watched her as she readied for bed. I could see her peek out at me and so, although it took me a very long time, I managed to make it from the bathroom to the bedroom. It was quite an undertaking, as I could only manage a few steps at a time. Every time she would awaken, I would be a bit closer. By the time She awoke in the morning, I was there, right by her bed.

I think She knew how very tired I was the day after the New Year, because she picked me up and told me that every thing was going to be all right. She put me in my basket with my favorite blanket and carried me to the living room, where I could watch Her and the Munchkin Person take down the Christmas decorations. I kept following Her around with my eyes, and she would stoop down and pet me, which was great. She was crying every time she petted me…I don’t know why she was so sad.

Then it was time for Him to run that wretched sweeper thing and she carried me into the bedroom, where I wouldn’t be disturbed. She kept coming in to check on me, which was cool. I was really getting tired in the afternoon and when she told me she was going down to take a shower, I was finally ready to go to sleep. She told me it was OK to go to sleep and as I started to doze, I was remembering a bunch of stuff. Like the time She found me. Actually, she stole me, since I was already de-clawed, but I never let her know that. He kept telling her, but she wouldn’t listen. I just let her think that it was me who found Her, because I was always in charge.

I remembered the day they brought the Duncan Dog home. He was about half my size and of course, I put him in his place the very first day, with a nice swipe of my paw. He never forgot who ruled THIS house! I remembered the Girl used to dress me up….gheez…how humiliating. I think that is when I first perfected the "disgusted look". (Actually, I enjoyed the attention, but would never let the Girl know that.) I also remembered the Boy and how he would always pick me up when he came home and would pet my head and neck. I sure love that "under the neck" petting!

Then there was the time I was bored and went into one of the kids’ rooms and brought out the hamster in my teeth. Cripes, you would have thought the world was ending…all that screaming and snatching it right from my jaws. I was just doing my job…never mind that the thing was locked in a cage. Actually, I thought I was quite clever!

Then came the Munchkin Person…gheez. All that squealing and laughter! I would hide out while she was awake, but the minute she went to sleep, I would come out and let them know I was still there and ready to be fed. Thoughts of our Arizona trip drifted through my head as I recalled the lazy days in the sun by the pool. Wasn’t crazy about the car ride, but loved that sun and sand and pool!

With all these good memories, I think I can finally go to sleep now, before She gets back from the shower. I’ll just curl up in my basket with my blanket tucked under me. That’s nice and comfy. I think I’ve had a pretty good eighteen years with this family…and was a much loved kitty. Thanks and I love you all too. But right now, I've got new territory to explore...I think I see HUGE cans of TUNA over there....and butterflies to watch....and hamsters to chase...and lots of sunny spots to rest in....and, and....wow...you can't believe this place....I'll be waiting for you!

KATT

Home at Last, Home at Last, Thank God Almighty, Home at Last

As soon as I got home, I rushed outside, because I wanted some sunshine and sand. Hey, what's this? Yikes! Where'd my pool go? Where's the sun? What's this? SNOW!!!! Oh, Oh....must be back in Ohio. Well, it may be cold and snowy, but it is home. And really, like Dorothy told me one time, there really is no place like home.

She brought me home my very own cactus! At least I will have a little reminder of my trip to the wild west. Should I tell Duncan Dog about the prickles? Or should I let him find out himself? Some choice...yeah right!

Here I am, telling Duncan that the view from my house in AZ had sun and water and picnic benches and sand. I don't think he gets it 'cause all he saw while I was gone was snow!

I had lots to tell Duncan Dog, but you know dogs and their attention spans. He never was sophisticated like me. It was like...pant, pant....pool, what's a pool?...pant, pant...sunbathe?...where's my chew bone.....pant, pant.

Of course, my absolute favorite spot, now that I'm home, is right in front of the heater.

Yes, it has been interesting and I had lots of fun. Can't help but miss the pool and the sun, but she keeps telling me summer will be here soon. Sure, I would go again, now that I know I'm "King of the Road"....thanks Roger.

http://www.photoshow.net/jbroadtrip

Day 33, Last Train to Clarksville...Make that Louisville

Last motel for me!! This is it, our last motel before home. I'm celebrating with lots of snacks while in Louisville, KY. She keeps telling me that we will be home tomorrow...they better have some tuna for me when we get there! Actually, I'm getting quite used to being an "on the road" cat. I don't even bother playing the "hide" game when we get into the motel room. I'm still not crazy about being loaded into the picnic basket and carried, however!


I always knew Lisa had another calling! We found this place at lunch time in Jacksonville. And speaking of lunch....where's mine?





















Here they are, leaving me in the car ....again.... while they go and get a nice meal at the Country Store in Jacksonville, TN. I tried to look my most pathetic, so they would take me with them, but no dice. Can't wait to see Duncan Dog and tell him about my adventures....especially the SUN....hey....where did it go? Is that SNOW, I see????

Day 30, Oh Oh....Again????

I can't believe this! On the road again!!!!! Here I thought she was just getting the suitcase out for me to curl up for a cozy nap. Early in the morning, however, she grabbed me and stuck me in the car again. No!!!!!! My pool, my sunny spots, my sand!!!!!! We were on the road FOREVER! I think we're in Argentina. Nope...she said it was the booming town of Odessa, Texas. So, here I am again, a hotel resident! That's OK...just make sure I have plenty of tuna!

And apparently, in Texas, dogs are allowed to order their own take out food from Sonic! This is Dutchess, a Sharpei and Pitbull mix. Texans really know how to treat their dogs, but I bet there wasn't any tuna on the menu!

Day 24, Ain't it Grand?

Well, they left me...again. This time they were off to the Grand Canyon for two days. They walked a four mile hike on the South Rim of the Canyon, and took plenty of pictures as you can see. She made me look at them all!! No matter, she left me with plenty of food and afterall, that is what is important. Right?

Sunset over the canyon.

She kept telling him....move just one more step....a little to your right...one more step....just one more step!

She said you can walk ten steps and get an entirely different view.

I don't know why they didn't bring these mountain goats home for me to play with!

Day 22, I see more dead people.

They left me for the day and moseyed on down to the Tombstone Territory. Of course, I was happy just relaxing in the sun!

Unfortunately, there were far too many "unmarked" graves here. However, there were a few that will no doubt, remain unique forever.

He was all bummed out because the OK Corral Gunfight was sold out. She was OK with it, because she got to shop!

Day 17, Elvis and Dead People

Well, here I am with my big, backyard fish. I haven't scoped out the lobster yet...maybe tomorrow. If only I could find a tuna this big!!

Since they are in the West now, this is what he makes her cook dinner in/on. It takes her FOREVER to get MY dinner!

And just for Lisa, they found the "Elvis in the Desert Chapel". Actually, it was a movie prop for such oldies as Gunsmoke, Rifleman, Wanted Dead or Alive, but they also filmed Elvis' only Western, Charro, there. All the other buildings burned in 2004, the the chapel was saved! Elvis LIVES.

They were also telling me about the Arizona Science Center they visited. The special exhibition was the Gunther von Hagens' "Bodyworld" exhibit. She told me it was a very odd experience, examining the musculo-skeleten remains. On the one hand, it was an awesome view to the inside workings of the body. On the other, she felt that Dr. von Hagens tiptoed a very fine line between anatomical teaching and artistic rendition. Nonetheless, everyone (and it was VERY crowded) was most respectful of the bodies. For her, it was somewhat a sad experience, knowing that these were very real people. No gum or photographs allowed. (Must not allow gum because someone might stick it on one of the exhibits and it might be mistaken for a tonsil or something.) However, here is a photo of the donar card, if anyone wants more information and is an exhibitionist at heart.