Sanderson's Diary, October 1997

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October 3

For those of you who might have been concerned, Mom found my cute little clove of garlic when she was nabbing a few of the refrigerator magnets I had swatted under the appropriately named appliance. And it's about time. I gave her enough hints, like sitting in front of the 'fridge and meowing piteously! Does make things interesting, though, as she now knows two of my major stashes. I thought I might have to develop an additional stash, but Mom still hasn't found the one where I put the last two fake furry baby mice she brought home. She can't get mad at me. After all, I was just trying to put the garlic back in the refrigerator. I can't help it if I haven't been able to perfect my door opening skills. I've certainly been putting in enough practice time! I will admit, however, that I am getting pretty good at opening all kinds of things Mom would probably rather I didn't, so the refrigerator may not be too far off in the future. For the most part, though, I am still in the "you open it, I'll get into it" stage. Dishwashers are fascinating (I love water!). The linen closet is a close second. All those nice, fluffy towels! It's almost better than rummaging through the drawer where Mom keeps her make-up and the things she puts in her hair.

Mom promises me that she will take me out in the car next week when she doesn't have to go to work (they call it a week's vacation). Just to be obstinate, I'll probably pretend like I think she is going to take me to the Vet, and holler my lungs out. (But again, my doctor wrote some nice things in my guest book, so I hope maybe she will take me to see him so we can just chat. I understand he has a really special female Siamese. Haven't seen her, but I think I might be in love!

As they say, "Later dude!"

October 5

Mom and my Aunt Barb went to a cat show in Dixon, CA, yesterday. If I get to be as big as my Maine Coon relatives she saw, Mom's going to have to give serious thought to a larger carrier! I think I'm already bigger than the kittens she saw that were about my age. So I wouldn't feel left out at having had to stay at home, they got me some more of those cute little catnip mice. They come in three-packs. I don't know what made her think I would be satisfied with just one. I always wake up before Mom does, so I went down and grabbed the other two from the opened package and stashed them, and took the unopened three-pack back upstairs. I had just about chewed my way in when she got up to investigate all the noise. Darned cellophane packaging gives you away every time!

Now that Mom is on to my secondary stash, she checks it more regularly. This afternoon she retrieved four mice, three pens, and two Snapple rings from under the refrigerator! See, there's a positive side to having a cat. You become a better housekeeper!

October 9

I really expanded my options on hidey-holes for my mice when I figured out how to open cupboard doors yesterday. The cupboard under the kitchen sink is particularly interesting. There's such a variety of cans and bottles I can wind myself around. After I rearranged them a bit, there was plenty of space to curl up for a nap and lots of choice spots to park my mice!

I wonder if Mom will let me send out my own Christmas cards? I've got the greeting picked out already. What do you think of this one, "'Twas the night before Christmas and all through the house, not a creature was stirring 'cause I just ate the mouse!"

While I'm waiting for Mom to decide, I'm going to curl up and dream of Thanksgiving and all that lovely turkey. (I hear it tastes a lot like chicken.) While I haven't experienced a major holiday yet, looks like its going to be a real food fest. And you know us Maine Coons. Cook enough for four or one Maine Coon! Maybe I'll have to branch out in my cookbook to include some recipes for left-over turkey, for those of you who don't have a cat!

October 12

Mom and my Aunt Barb went to another cat show today. Mom's finally catching on that I am going to get bigger than the average house cat, which I already am! You know us classic cameo tabbies, we are beauteously bountiful! It was fortunate for me that Mom met a man from Southern California who was in real estate, and purchased me a second home. This one is a Southwestern-style, three-story condo. It is more substantial and has a more pleasing elevation than my first piece of property (which, by the way, makes an outstanding residence in Mom's computer room upstairs!). This is too cool. None of my cousins are two-property owner kitties! Guess it pays to be an only child. At this rate, I hope Mom keeps going to cat shows. Who knows what she might bring home next. (As long as it doesn't have real fur and compete for the food, I will welcome it with open paws.) Go, Mom!

October 21

This past weekend I went for my first car ride that didn't result in an examination, shots, or surgery. What a relief! I think I could get to like this. Mom's also gotten better at trimming my nails. Saturday I didn't bleed, and I rewarded her by not munching out on her hand. I did eat one of my toys, however, and wasn't too pleased with the result. Half came up on Sunday, and the other half came out the other end on Monday. I sure did feel better Monday night. So much better that I went exploring and figured out that I can get into the drawer in my bathroom where Mom keeps the upstairs treats by first entering the cupboard and going up the back way! And Mom thought she was so smart keeping my Fishy's in the drawer. Hey, it's my house. There are no secrets. I can also turn on the back porch light! (Oops, I wasn't going to tell her that one just yet. It's fun to watch her try to remember when she did something that she didn't do!)

October 26

I'm pleased to report that I have recovered from the "toy episode," and am now up to eight pounds! And with strength comes advances in discovery. I can now turn off the ceiling fan light in the dining room. It's got one of those pull chains with a wooden dingle ball at the end. I know, not much of a challenge, but sure surprised Mom when it got dark in there! I have also lowered myself to playing catch with Mom and a table tennis ball. It wasn't good enough that I can bat it with my front paws like a kid with a soccer ball the entire depth of the living room without missing a beat. Now I have to be able to pass it as well. (And no, I didn't mean that way. I've learned my lesson with ingestion!) My next objective is the replacement of the wall hangings in the living room. I figure if I swat, gnaw, paw, and generally rearrange the positioning of the goodies over the couch, Mom will take the hint and replace them with something more to my liking. After all, it's my house!

Check back now and then. I'll keep you posted on the latest developments! Hope to see you soon.

Sanderson