My new pad: Sophie's story

Once I was let out to initially explore, I stretched my neck as far as it would go as I cautiously sniffed out my immediate surroundings, checking out every nook and cranny as carefully as a detective in a crime scene. Once everything passed to my satisfaction, I made my way further out. It did seem that there were more corners to move around, more rooms to check out and more space to roam.

I think it took me a few days before I had all the rooms figured out, what and who were in them and where the windows were: my required view of the outside world.

In the process I've discovered a few favorite places that I hang in every day, plus I have to decide from one minute to the next which window has the best view. I've got a few in one office where the big guy hangs out; one faces the back yard so I can watch the kids play basketball, one faces the side street where there are big holes dug from those guys with the funny looking hats on (I honestly didn't think a dog could dig a hole that big!), and one faces the front yard where I can watch for when Mom comes home with the groceries (I always have to check to see if she got me anything); another window is in Mom's office where she does all of her stuff (I still like to sit right on top of her paperwork, much to her chagrin!); then there's my favorite window in the living room where I hang out on my condo and check out the birds (and more guys with the funny looking hats working on the road outside my new pad: noise!).

Mom sometimes has to look in a few different rooms before she finds where I'm located. There's a new oversized super-cozy recliner in "Big Daddy's" office where I especially enjoy taking cat naps. I've figured out so many napping positions in this new spot that I forget which one I left off with!

One of my favorite things about my new pad in my 'cat run'. I have a long stretch of space from one end of the house to the other where, with tail arched, I can run 100 mph (tearing past Mom walking down the hallway is one of my top amusements.) I especially enjoy this activity first thing after my favorite humans get up in the morning. Mom is glad for me to get my exercise; she knows my cardio workouts are very important for keeping me healthy. But I just do it 'cause it's fun. That's why my tail always arches in the process: I like to play!! (Mom read about that in a cat book, but, of course, I already knew that.)

I've also started a new tradition in my new pad. I always persist in getting a piece of turkey every time Mom makes her lunch each day; and she always comes through for me. Plus I enjoy my daily cat treats kept in the new cupboard. Mom gives me them to help keep the tartar off my teeth, whatever that is.

One of the best changes of all with my new pad is my night time freedom. I've grown up a bit more, so much so, that the big guy thinks it's cool for me to roam at night to keep the critters away. The only thing I have to watch for is coming into the bedroom before the humans are ready to get up. Sometimes I get a little impatient (especially on Saturday mornings), and I jump on the bed. I don't land for long though, much to my chagrin. But I'm a smart cat; I know what's good for me. So I just wait in another favorite window in the bedroom and check out the birds until someone finally exits to make the coffee.


So that's the deal with my new pad. It's full of adventure, twists and turns; but one things that hasn't changed is the love.

All creatures great and small; the Lord God made them all.

(c)2007 by Dawn Herring