Holiday's by Chessie

Hey, Frankster,

 This is probably your first experience with the time of year humans call ‘the holidays.’

 Well, since I’ve been around for quite a few years now – just recently celebrated my eleventh birthday! - I have seen these celebrations and wondered a lot about the thing called turkey.  It tastes good and smells wonderful when Mom cooks it, but they are big, ugly looking birds, and they can’t fly like the little wrens and sparrows in our yards.  They waddle on the ground.

 The other morning Mom had on that big square box that makes noise with moving images on it = TV, its called.  I was asleep in a cozy chair in her office while she worked.  Suddenly, the TV noise stopped... all was quiet for a moment and then there started this sound: ‘gobble, gobble, gobble.’  And I looked up at the TV and there were all these big, black birds, wild turkey, running through the Texas sage making these funny noises: ‘gobble, gobble, gobble.’

 I jumped down to the floor and sat in front of the TV very close to the picture and watched carefully as these birds ran around making a silly little gobble noises jumping and crashing into each other, it was mayhem.  When it was over, I still sat, hoping the birds would come back and play again, but when they didn’t I looked at Mom trying to ask her to make that happen: let me see these silly birds again.  Mom said if I was a good kitty maybe I could have a special turkey treat for supper... and then she did the strangest thing!  Mom said to me ‘gobble, gobble!’  and laughed.

 I’m confused, so I think I’ll take a nap and think on it for a while.
 Happy Turkey Day! Chessie

Another Trip To The Vet's by Chessie

 Sorry I haven’t written in awhile Frankie, but I’ve been a ‘little under the weather’ – that’s a Mom-ism that I do not understand at all.  How can I be under the weather: it’s all around us?

 Anyway, Mom had to take me to the Vet a couple of days ago ‘cause I had a very swollen lower lip.  Really swollen; she said I looked like some guy called Gene Simmons – whoever that is, but I guess he too has a big lower lip and sticks his tongue out all the time.  How rude!!  Oh, wait... that’s what I was doing too.

 The Vet is a really nice man, who calls me by my name, and is very gentle when handling me during an examination.  I really wasn’t feeling well and got quite grumpy and growled at him and the nurse – I know, not nice, but I am allowed when I don’t feel well and they poke and prod at me.  I’ve been sleeping a lot, which is why I haven’t felt like writing to you... so they ran some tests, which meant sticking me with a needle to draw some blood – ‘me-ouch!’  That made me mad!  All the folks at the hospital know me ‘cause I’ve been going there for years, since we moved here: they all think I’m cute and cuddly – well they saw a different side to my personality when they poked and prodded me.  That hurts!  I just wanted to be left alone, but that wasn’t about to happen.

 The Vet and my Mom discussed me while the nurse held me close in her arms and I grunted at the indignity of it all.  Eventually, he left but came back with TWO huge sharp sticks and stuck me in the rump with some medicines.  Dang did that sting!  Mom brought me home and I curled up in my comfy chair to sleep.  I’m feeling just a little perkier, but my lip still is a little swollen.  I’m trying not to lick my lips, and I hide my face in Mom’s lap ‘cause I don’t want to go back to the Vet and have him poke and prod me anymore.

 Feeling sleepy again, Chessie

The New Kitty On The Block? by Frankie

 Well, now that things have settled down a bit from all the weird goings on, everything should be back to normal - Right? Nope!

 Even after the vet visit, the new kitty needed to be quarantined because of her fleas. The vet said she was completely infested because she is really sick. Mommy and mom-mom say her tests didn't look very good. So they are gonna make her happy and fill her little tummy for as long as she's here with us. That doesn't sound all that good to me.

 Maybe if they can kill off all the fleas she might feel better. I'm gonna try and stay nearby and see if I can do something to help. Mommy says I'm a good boy sharing my food with the kitty by letting her have first choice of flavors. I don't think it's really a problem since I love all of my foods, I look up at mommy and say "I don't care as long as I still get fed".

 Mommy still keeps us separated, so I don't get to check her out just yet. The neighbor came up with a name for her, which I think sounds kinda nice, it's Gracie. She also brought over some treats and a few small toys for her. The treats smell nice but I don't care for them, the toys however I want for myself. I tried to grab them from mommy and go play with them but she caught me and took them back. Mommy said I have to share and besides the toys aren't for me anyway. What's with that? She did give me one of the jingly bell balls since I don't have any of those yet. But mommy did take a couple of mine that I haven't played with yet for Gracie. So I guess sharing isn't that bad.

 We'll see how this goes. I'm gonna take another circle around and see if I can get close enough to get a sniff of Gracie without mommy noticing. Talk to ya later.

What's In MY Travel Crate? by Frankie

 Ok, so a few days ago I told you about mommy going over to the neighbors house. That's when she brought something back with her, but she didn't show me what it was. Well, I still haven't been able to see what's going on. I've tried going down stairs but mommy has blocked it off with a gate at the top of the stairs.

 However, she did tell me there's a little kitty that is sick and needs some help to get better. She said that I'm not gonna be allowed to see her for a while until she's been to see the doctor and feels better. That means a trip to the vets.

 Mommy and mom-mom borrowed my travel carrier to take the new kitty to go see the vet. All I can think is, at least it's not me going for tests and shots.

What Did Mommy Bring Home? by Frankie

Hey Chessie,

 Something a bit odd is happening in the house lately...

 Two days ago, one of the neighbors came over to ask mommy to go over and check out a lost and sickly cat in her front yard shrubs. Being the animal lover that she is, she grabbed her shoes and went over right away to see how she could help. I jumped up in the front bow window so I could keep an eye on her and make sure she didn't go too far away.

 A little bit later she came back with something wrapped up in a towel. I followed close behind her trying to get a look or smell of what she had. She stopped to talk to mom-mom then went downstairs and blocked me from going too. Mom-mom grabbed a couple old blankets and some of my food, then went down with mommy.

 I don't know what's going on but I'm gonna get to the bottom of this.

Rude DVD Player by Chessie

  While Mom is still in my sunny room laughing at me – hrumph! – I thought I would share with you, my good friend Frankie, what just happened.

  Maybe you can appreciate my surprise.  I mentioned to you the other day that Mom was trying to move books around to stop me from enjoying the warmth and comfort of sleeping on the DVD thingy which sits on top of the set top box for the TV.  Well, I took care of those books in quick order –pushed them right to the floor - so it was free and clear for me to take a nap.

  A few minutes ago, I tried to climb up onto the bookcase so I set my foot near the front of the DVD player – when suddenly it stuck its tongue out at me!!  I just put a paw on it, and it opened its BIG mouth and whirred and the big, flat tongue slid out.  I waited, but nothing else happened so I touched it again with my paw and it made a chiming noise, but it didn’t pull its tongue back in.

  Mom came to see what the noise was all about, and found me curiously sitting and watching the tongue – but it wasn’t doing anything.  She mildly scolded me, but her tone had a chuckle in it, as she pushed some buttons on the thing.  I guess the thing liked that, ‘cause it pulled its tongue back and closed its mouth again.  I’ve never seen anything like that before... but now I’m not sure if I ever want to sleep on it again = maybe it could swallow me!

  I’ll catch up later, need to think on that some more, Chessie

Training Your Human by Chessie

  Hey there my furry friend, Frankie!

  Greetings from the beach.  Life is good here, as my world is mostly back the way is has always been.  My Mom has restored all the things that she had packed and put away during the great re-carpeting adventure and so I am now happily ensconced in my cozy home with all the familiar places for me to gaze out at the garden to see the little birds and squirrels.  It is too bad though the days are getting less light – so Mom has to get up in the dark, ‘cause my tummy says its breakfast time!  And it gets dark by suppertime too – she has to put the lights on to feed me.  I can see my food dish fine, especially when I can smell the yummy food in it, but I guess she doesn’t have the same vision skills I do.  Anyway, I wanted to tell you something I learned about getting Mom to do exactly what you want her to do: sometimes you have to encourage human behavior, with a little skilled and repetitive training.

  When Mom was putting back everything in the house, she decided to change-up the locations of some of the furniture and books in the bookcases.  That rather annoyed me, ‘cause I like things just the way they’ve been situated since we moved here!  So I started my own campaign:  the bookcase was easy, I have a favorite spot on top of the set-top box for the television, it’s nice and warm without being hot, and it has just the tiniest hum that vibrates the box, even I can barely hear it.  I could sleep on it for hours.  Well, Mom decided to make use of the space and stuck some big old artsy books on it so I couldn’t sleep there anymore.  Yep, that didn’t last.  I took my paw and shifted them slightly and ‘me-owed’ loudly until she paid attention and came to see what was up... purrfect... just as I knocked a whole bunch on the floor!  Didn’t really have to shove them off, just turn the books a bit so they were tipped off balance and they fell – all by themselves!  Smart kitty – me.  I won – books gone!

  We had a similar tussle with the big, old ruffled pillows on her bed.  I like one of them very much and often choose to sleep on it during the day – it’s a soft, comfortable place and I can barely be seen napping.  Well, my Mom decided to wash the covers to the pillows and then to put some of the decorative pillows away for ‘a new look’ – so she said.  I sat and watched her intently, I couldn’t believe that she was going take one of my favorite sleeping places away.  After a couple of days of being without my pillow, I decided to take action:  I pounced on the bed and ran all over it - flipped the remaining pillows on the floor and when Mom came home, she found a pile of rumpled pillows all over the floor and a messed up bedspread!  Chaos reigned!   Mom wasn’t happy with the mess, but I guess she got the message – some of the pillows are still packed away, but others, including my favorite napping pillow has returned.

  All this talk of naps, has made me sleepy, going to my favorite pillow – Chessie

Trick Or Treat? by Frankie

Chessie,

  Have you heard of something called Halloween? It's a weird night thing when those small people go around to everybody's house and beg for treats. Not only that, but they dress up in odd clothes too.

  Mom-mom likes to sit outside and give them food as they walk up to the house. I keep hearing them say "trick or treat". What is that supposed to mean, and what if mom-mom doesn't feed them? I wish just walking up to mommy got me some treats, but that's not gonna happen. Hmmm, I might just try that anyway and see what I get.

  At first it scared me, the noise and those little people running around everywhere. Mommy stood by the door and told me that it was alright. Then she would give them names like Princess, Spider-Man, and Sponge Bob. I sat in the doorway to get a good view of all the activity. And just like that, it was all over and done with.

  Well, I'm gonna see if I can get some treats out of mommy. See ya.

What's Behind That Door by Frankie

Hey Chess,

  That's a nice playpen you have there, although I'd be busy finding an escape route instead of playing. When mommy wants me to stay put, she'll stick me in mom-mom's bedroom and close the door. It's because that's my favorite napping spot, but who can nap at a time like this!

  Something is going on just on the other side of that door. So I cry and try to put my paws under it to get someone's attention. Usually mommy will say "calm down and knock it off, your fine". But if it's mom-mom, she sometimes opens the door just enough that I can squeeze through. I then run over to mommy to see what's going on.

  She's up a ladder putting something on the wall called shelves. All my dreams have come true, I can now walk up on the walls! As I proceed to jump up on the first level mommy yells and says "DOWN". Oops, she means business now. She calls mom-mom in to come get me. When she does, mom-mom calls me a tattle-tail and puts me back in her room with a toy.

  Oh well, can't blame me for trying.

  Frankie

Grounded In The Playpen by Chessie

So, Frankie,

 I’ve only got a few minutes to dash this off to you... something BIG is going on here, and while its been fun, I’m also worried big time.

 I told you my Mom has been packing boxes and moving stuff from all over the house – why I do not know.  She’s put me in my playpen several times (I really do like scooting around in it, playing on the soft floor with my toy mice) but then she opens the doors to the garage and takes all the boxes and other pieces of stuff, furniture I guess its called, out there.  I can watch her from the playpen, she says I’m safe and can’t get into mischief.

 Yesterday she emptied the big pieces of furniture that have cubbies that I’m not allowed to play in – I did once a long time ago and broke some glasses.  Mom was not pleased and said I was a bad kitty.  So we’ve had a game this time, I pretend I want to get on those shelves and dodge around her to watch what she’s doing and try to jump on the shelves, but she can’t catch me ‘cause I’m quick and I run away.  It makes me laugh, but I don’t think Mom is laughing – so she keeps me ‘safe’ in the playpen.

 I can’t figure out what’s going on, it makes me wonder, and I keep talking to her about it very vocally – but she just hugs me and says ‘It’s okay, it’ll be over soon...’  Wonder what that means? I’ll write again, as I can get to the ‘puter... gotta run now Mom’s back from the garage, Chessie

Nip Smells by Frankie

Hi Ya Chessie,

  Catnip, huh. Well I haven't really played with all my toys yet. Mommy brings them out three or four at a time, so when I get bored with them, I get some new ones and she puts the old away for later. It has something to do with what she read online about kitties like me.

  Anyway, I haven't really smelled any of my toys with it, but mommy did give me some straight from a sprinkle jar. It's kinda nice, I get a little more playful and I think it makes me have super-speed, so I can run in all the rooms in the house before mommy can catch me. She laughs and reaches out to grab me, to kiss me, but I'm just too fast for her.

  See, that's the best part, she tries to get me but I'll run past her into another room and hide. When she walks around and doesn't see me, then turns to leave, I jump out and run past her again. She yells 'cheater!' and chases me again. It's so much fun and we do it almost everyday (even without the catnip).

  Oh, I think I hear her coming, I gotta go hide. Talk to ya later.

Catnip by Chessie

Hey there, my kitty friend Frankie!

 Have you ever smelled something called catnip?  Do you like it?  Does it make you all silly and excited??  Evidently some humans, people like our Moms, think it is fun to get cats all excited with this smelly herb.  I can’t be bothered!  I can smell it in some of the toys that I have been given as presents over the years – but I only play with the toys after they have lost their scent.  If there is a fresh smell of this catnip stuff in a new toy, I will ignore it, or try to hide it, until the smell is gone.

 Why do people put herby smells in my little stuffed mice – I’d play with them, and be much happier if they smelled like real little rodents.  After all, I am a mighty huntress - yes I am!

Farting by Chessie

Hey Frankie!

 How are you doing?  I thought your story about running around the room and playing tag-on-the-hand with your Mom was fun.  I sometimes run around the house too, especially when I’m playing with my toy mice and flipping them in the air.  But then I also run around the house... when I ‘um... make a noise.  Well, I am a lady and I just don’t do unladylike things, usually.

 I’ll tell you how it happened, a few weeks ago I got really bored with the canned food my Mom has been feeding me, like forever.  The flavors are boring and not too many varieties of them and I just wanted something different, unusual, a tasty new treat.  Well, Mom finally got so frustrated with me wasting food. She kept reminding me that there are many starving kitties in the world, and she was going to feed the food I refused to eat to kitties in the yard!  Like that was going to impress me:  you have gone to your happy new home, and thankfully no other lost kitties have shown up in our patio garden since.

 Anyway, after almost a week of me being a picky eater – just nibbling around the edges and barely eating a bite of the canned food – Mom gave in.  Yes!!  I usually win in the test-of-wills game.  She had some food stashed in the pantry for emergencies when hungry strays, like you, appear and she opened a can and offered it to me out of desperation.  It smelled delish!  Tasted good too – some kind of shrimp with tuna and cod she told to me.  Yummy!  I gobbled it up and ‘Me-owed’ for more.

 So Mom relented, at least for now, I’m eating the new flavors, and enjoying the different tastes... but, there is a difficulty I’ve noticed and so has Mom.  These funny little noises come out of my butt.  It is a surprise when it happens - it feels a little like a little bubble popped outta me.  I do it mostly when I’m sleeping.  Sometimes I also do it when I’m playing with my toys and it causes me to jump and run around cause I don’t expect it to happen.  It is very strange, it doesn’t hurt and it doesn’t smell – but it happens unexpectedly. Oh my!

 Well, speaking of food, I think I’ll go check out the kitchen and see what’s to eat.
 Chessie

Yummy People Food by Frankie

Hey Chessie,

 I started to talk about this a few days ago to you but since we're on the subject again, I have a couple of new things to say. I've tasted quite a few people food stuff. Before I would just stick to my cat food, nothing else was better. Mom-mom offered me some of her lunch meat and that was it. Now whenever she or mommy goes into the kitchen I follow, and very loudly demand that they show me everything they get out. It's to make sure if I wanna try something I get first dibs.  

 Mmmm, butter! Yeah butter is really good, I've tried it warm and melty as well as cold, it doesn't matter to me - they're both yummy. Now speaking of cheese, grilled cheese that is. Mom-mom loves the american cheese that comes packaged in it's own little plastic sleeve. However mommy likes the 'real' stuff that's from a place called a deli. Don't know what that is but it sounds like food heaven. I've found I like a few different cheeses from the ones mommy gets as a special yummy treat.

 Anyway, I was in the bedroom taking a nap, when I heard the plastic crinkle. So I jumped out of bed, came racing out to the kitchen, and jumped up on my stool by the butcher block. I did it so fast I almost fell off the other side of the seat, then I turned and let out the loudest meow of my life. Mom-mom was so startled she dropped the slice of cheese on the floor, so I figured it was mine now. She and mommy got a good laugh out of it as she cut it up for me, but somehow I know that's not going to happen again.

Toaster Treats by Chessie

Hey, Frankie –

 Remember the other week, when I was telling you about my special treat – a lick of melted butter in the morning… well, I forgot to tell you how I know about that yummy taste.  My Mom puts her breakfast food in a small white box on the kitchen counter and pushes down a lever thingy and then waits for it to get hot and toasty brown, and then wow - it pops up!  Then she rubs cold butter on it – toast she calls it – with ‘my’ knife, and then it melts into all the little nooks.  Some of it stays on the knife – and that’s my treat.

 But sometimes my Mom plays a trick on me and she’ll use the small white box during the day, but when the toast pops up – she puts cheese on it.  It melts too, but I can’t have any of that – ‘cause, she says it’s wouldn’t be good for my girlish figure.  I don’t know what a girlish figure is – do you?  I don’t think I have one… but I’ll keep looking for it, ‘cause that melted cheese smells de-vine!  I’d like to try it sometime.

 Just between you and me Frankie, I’ve checked out that small white box on the counter at night, when it’s dark in the kitchen, and Mom’s asleep.  I can’t figure out how it makes food hot and toasty brown… but I’ll still come a runnin’ whenever I hear it go ‘pop’ – ‘cause I might just get a lick of melted butter, or even better – melted cheese.

Chessie

Yelling About Birdseed by Frankie

Hey Ya Chessie,

 Ouch, I know what you mean. There's been a couple of times where I've jumped and missed my mark by an inch. Unfortunately mommy saw and insists on 'checking me over' to make sure I'm alright. She likes to fuss over me so much, she rubs and touches my legs and sides, then kisses me on my head and sends me off to play again.

 Anyway, about the sun, I have noticed it changing a bit. Even when I lay out by the back door it doesn't feel the same. Sure I get all toasty warm but it goes behind the tree tops so I don't get as much sun. However... all the bird and squirrel activity has gotten good. Mommy has two feeders out full of seed and all the little birds are scarfing down as fast and as much as they can. There's even a squirrel that hangs upside-down on one of them. Mommy gets mad and yells at him/her and knocks on the window or door to get them to jump down. At first I thought she was mad at me, but she pet me and said "It's OK, you're a good boy, but that squirrely is being bad".

 Uh-oh, speaking of bad squirrels, I hear mommy yelling again.
 I better go see what's going on. Talk to ya later.

Fall by Chessie

Yo’ Frankie,

 Have you noticed how lovely, cool and pretty these days are – Mom calls it ‘fall’ – a word I don’t like, ‘cause I’ve fallen a couple of times recently from high places in the house, and it hurts!  I do like to climb to the tippy top!

 Anyway, this temperature stuff is de-light-ful.  The house is open to the breezes and it’s sunny, warm in the sun, and coolish in the shade – purrfect!

 I have a problem tho’ and wondered if you had noticed where you live.  The bright sun moves around the house differently now, and I have to keep moving as well, if I want to nap in the warmth of the sun.  I also think the days are getting shorter, ‘cause now when it’s time to get up in the morning for my breakfast, it’s still dark, not like before… and when Mom fixes my supper the sun is going away and it gets dark and she has to turn all the lights on so she can see.  I, of course, can see ‘cause I’m a cat and we have special night vision.

 Anyway, all this chasing the warm sun’s rays around the house tires me out.
 Happy nappy time, Chessie

The Bengal Bruiser by Chessie

Hey Frankie!

 Read your blog note today about visiting the Vet again – see, now you know what I mean about these big ol’ dogs snuffling along our carriers!  You are correct – it is very rude!  Have to give some thought to retaliation – a hiss of a warning, followed perhaps with a well placed claw across the nose of the intruder!  We should think about that –  ‘cause I don’t want a bloody nose dripping all over my carrier, my Mom wouldn’t like that either!

 So are you officially going to have to change your name from ‘Frankie’ to ‘The Bengal Bruiser’?  Wow!  A fifteen pounder huh?  I’ll make sure to stay on your good side – otherwise you could probably take all seven pounds of me down pretty quick. You wouldn’t do that to a lady, though, would you?  I never would have guessed when I spied you in our garden, skinny little fur ball that you were then, that you would grow into such a big, handsome kitty.  Must be the food, but I would expect it’s also the love and good care your Mom is giving you too!   And as I’ve told you before, I am an eat-to-live kitty – just a picky eater my Mom sez.

 You know Frankie, I wouldn’t say this to most folks, but I really like sharing our catty, ‘er kitty thoughts and opinions and adventures... maybe it might have been interesting to have had you hang around my house a while longer.... but then, you wouldn’t have found your wonderful forever family, and you and I wouldn’t have been able to share our observations and experiences so everybody else would know what we’re thinking and talking about. Pretty cool, I think.

 Later, its supper time and Mom is rustling around the kitchen – gotta go!  Chessie

Oh My, Boxes! by Chessie

 Uh oh, Frankie, you’ve got boxes being packed too?  Wonder what’s up with that??

 My Mom spent the whole of the last weekend moving things around the house, and boxes, all sorts of boxes have appeared.  She’s making me very worried, and she laughed at me and said that “It’s okay… Chessie, it’ll be okay very soon!”  The last time she told me that – we moved!!!

 Before we moved to Delaware, we lived in Florida and one day some people came and when they left – Mom started packing many boxes.  The next thing I knew, we were driving forever in the car, and now we live in this house.  I hope we are not moving again… I like it here.  Lots of windows!

 But at least while Mom is doing all this packing I can play in the boxes.  When she sees me dive into a nice, roomy box sometimes she gently closes the lid and I can sleep in there for a long time.  She always cracks the lid a mite bit so I can push out by myself, when I’m ready.  Mom laughs at me when I go to sleep in a box ‘cause I guess I snore – so what!  Speaking of sleeping, I need to take a nap.

 Catch up later, Chessie

Stuff In Boxes by Frankie

Hey Chessie,

 Mommy has been going around putting all different kinds of stuff in boxes here and there. I'm not sure what's going on but I like it. Some cats really don't like change, but I look at it as a new adventure. I already have a 'moving box' that mommy gave me that has all my toys and junk in it, of course I like to play in it myself too.

 She puts stuff in the box then writes on the outside, I guess where the things go to again. I tried to read it but looks kinda like gibberish to me, Etsy & eBay, but there was one I know the word - Donate. Mommy and mom-mom like to put lots of stuff in that one apparently. When they fill it, they put it outside in the morning and I see someone pull up in a big truck and take the box. I'm usually in the front door looking out the glass and see everything. When I see the truck stop and someone come up to the house I run out of the doorway and jump into the front bow window. It's not cause I'm scared or anything, I just don't want to be taken with the stuff.

 Anyway, back to the other boxes. Even with all mommy's boxes of stuff from the house she gets new boxes from other places. First it was for my window perch, then for toys and a new BIG litter-box, now it's for the house. I can't make out any of the writing on that one. I think it's called 'icky' or something. Maybe you have heard of it, it's spelled I-K-E-A. When she gets a box from that place she opens it and all sorts of things spill out. I was even able to grab a small baggie out of it unnoticed. Although mommy caught me walking away while she was reading some papers from the box. I wonder what all this stuff is for.

 I'm gonna go back in the box to see if mommy forgot anything else in there.
 Talk to ya later. Frankie

My Manicure by Chessie

G’day Frankie!

 I have something more to add on the subject of grooming we've been talking about... I just got back from visiting the lady who trims my nails – I pretend not to like this ritual, but it does feel so much better when my nails get cut and no longer catch on the carpet or the upholstery on my comfy chair.  Chewing them off isn’t very easy, and it still leaves sharp, ragged edges.

 It has been a test of wills between Mom and me over the years – she is afraid of clipping too close to the nail bed, and that’s what I am afraid of  too – ouch!  Mom holds me close, but I squirm and wiggle and it just doesn’t go well... we’re both always a little nervous so, instead she takes me to the trimmer.

 It only takes a very few minutes and its done!  The lady is not afraid of me, she tells me I’m beautiful – of course I am – and while another lady stays close and keeps me distracted with a feather toy thingy – it’s done.  It takes longer for her to tie a silly animal print kerchief around my neck than to trim my nails!  Silly, but I do look pretty, and my nails do look and feel so much better.

Chessie

Personal Grooming by Frankie

Hiya Chessie,

 My favorite isn't to be brushed but to be scratched. Mommy has a nice brush for me (it was an extra of mom-mom's, but she wasn't using it). I more prefer someone to use their hands and nails to scratch, then to rub me back and forth down my back. If I really like how they are doing it, I will roll over to my side and let them continue. I'll stretch out with my front and back legs then arch my back to get a better position. Mommy laughs and rubs me more and reaches up to my head and ears to massage then scratch me there. Hummm... I really love that.

 I purr just about the whole time cause it feels sooo good. I do drool sometimes, just when I get scratched on my neck and chin. When that happens mommy laughs again and rubs it back into my fur. I can pretty much request being scratched anytime I want. Little by little I'm learning these things. Since I was out on my own (running wild on the streets) it's been a bit hard to believe that someone would want to take care of me and not hurt me. Sometimes it gets to much when mommy snuggles me, I freak out and scratch her then run, cause I think she'll hurt me. She doesn't get mad though, she says "I'm not happy with that", but she lets me come slowly back and rub up on her leg to say 'I'm sorry'.

 Speaking of claws, I'm not at all happy about how mine get trimmed. Mommy will hold me like a baby, on my back, while she uses her hands to hold my paws. Then mom-mom will snip them with nail clippers or small super-sharp scissors. It only takes a couple of minutes but I don't care for all the drama. What's wrong with my nails? They grow long and pointy and make nice scratching noises when I sharpen them on the back of the couch. Of course that's when mommy yells "stop that!" or "NO!".

 Oh well, I'll try to understand all these rules some other day. It's time for a nice nap after all that drama. Talk to ya later.

Brushing Time by Chessie

Hi Frankie,

 Do you like having your coat brushed?  I love it!  My Mom has a special wooden box near my comfy chair.  I know that in the special box are my comb and brush.  Almost every morning when she’s finished with her coffee, she’ll look at me and ask “Do you want to get brushed?”  I recognize that word ‘brush’ and I know where she keeps my comb and brush, in that wooden box - so I jump up on the thing she calls an ottoman – funny word – and I start to dance around in anticipation.

 It feels so good when Mom brushes me.  I purr and drool and rub against her hand trying to hurry her along – I LOVE to be brushed!  I’ll even help her by climbing up and trying to use my nose to open the box to make her move faster.  Ah… it feels so good to be brushed!!

 My Mom has realized though that sometimes she says the word brush and I come running ‘cause I think she’s going to brush me – but she’s not!  She laughs when that happens!  Hrummph!  She did this to me the other day – she was working with some funny looking thing, rubbing it on the wall in the hall, and said, ‘This brush isn’t spreading the paint evenly.’

 I was asleep in a chair near where she was working with something that was wet and smelly – paint I think she called it… but when I heard her say my favorite word, brush, I went running into my sunny room and jumped up on the ottoman, but Mom stayed in the hall muttering to herself… until she heard me repeatedly calling to her:  “Me-om!”  She came to investigate and I was trying to open the special box with my nose.

 My Mom really loves me – she finally stopped making that happy, laughing noise and sat right down and brushed me. Ahhhhh…. It was heavenly!

Talking & Singing by Frankie

Chessie,

 Short answer for your question about human words, nope. And I don't think I'll start anytime soon. Now I do let mommy know if I want something by meowing, but it's more of "meh". Sometimes mommy tries to copy me and it comes out pretty good, unfortunately she's just saying gibberish in cat. She might say a word right and I look at her or answer to let her know it was right, but then she gets it wrong again. At least she tries though.

 Anyway, I've gotten really good at letting her know I want something. She calls it charades and thinks I'm so smart for playing along. I meow a few times to get her attention, then she says "show me what you want", so I walk over to the door or window I want open. And just like that, she opens stuff for me, I don't have to lift a paw for anything. Mom-mom says I'm being lazy sometimes cause I'll look at a toy I want and mommy will play with it for 5 minutes before I just walk away bored.

 Another thing I'll do is "meh" at them when they go into the kitchen. I've discovered that most of the time they do that they get food out. If I follow them every time, there's a good chance I might get something. I make sure they show me everything they have, and sometimes I take a taste. So far, mom-mom has the best stuff, cause she has lunch meats like ham or turkey. I also like mommy's Tofurkey baloney, yummy! However mommy says it's too expensive to have me eat all her stuff, so she's gonna make mom-mom get her real stuff to share with me. Sounds like a good deal to me, can't wait. :)

 This letter is making me hungry now, I'm gonna go see if I can get mommy into the kitchen to feed me. Talk to ya later, Frankie

People Talk by Chessie

Frankie, my friend!

   Got another question for you – do you use human words when you talk to your Mom?  I have learned to say a few simple things that sound like the words my Mom says and it takes her ‘over the moon’ as she says, when we have other people in the house and I choose to talk in front of them.  I don’t know what the big deal is, but it seems to mean a lot to everyone else; they act like I am strange to make these human sounds... but whatever.

   I first realized as a young kitten that Mom referred to herself as ‘mom’ when talking with me.  So I decided, when she was ignoring me, talking with someone else here in the house, to call out to her: “Mee-om!”  Works every time!  Everyone stops to listen, some people ask Mom if there is a young child in the house and she shakes her head – no – and laughs!  I can say a few other things too:   Ya know that funny sound – maybe it came from a cartoon show – ‘rut-row’ that some people say?  Well, I can do a similar sound that is like a growl except it is   ‘hut-oh’ – Mom says its my hello ‘cause I only use it when people I know arrive at my house to visit me.  Only special people get my special greeting ‘cause I’m happy to see them.

   Frankie, don’t tell anyone, but I know a bunch of other words too, and I practice them when Mom isn’t around.  Some day I’ll share a few more special words with you.  In the meantime, listen to the words your Mom uses and practice saying them, when she’s not around.

   Fun, fun!  Chessie

Making Mommy Laugh by Frankie

Hey There Chess,

 I've been having fun around here just playing, looking outside, napping and such. It's been nice and cool lately with the breeze. Mommy opened all the windows the last two weeks to let some fresh air in, and so I can talk to the birdies. She also opened the front door to let in light when it got cloudy. I sat and watched it rain for a bit, what else could I do, the birds took cover in the bushes and trees until it stopped. So I got an idea, why not let the birdies inside the house, just when it rains. Mommy said no and almost yelled when I reached up to pull the latch open on the door for them. She forgot to make sure it was locked so I can't get out. Guess that won't happen again. :(

 Oh, mommy called me her little weirdo again. Just because one morning I felt like taking a trip running around the house. Well you see, I make a point of going into each and every room running in a circle pattern around the walls. Making sure to jump up onto and down under all the furniture in that room. Going as fast as I can (without breaking or knocking anything over) I speed down the hallway to where mommy and mom-mom are talking. I then jump up and try to touch mom-mom's hand up high on the doorway. Unfortunately I missed her hand, but I did manage to turn off the light on them, it's not like they needed it on or anything. Your welcome!

 Every now and again I wanna see if I could be an awesome ninja. Is that so terrible?

Type to ya later,
Frankie

Whisker Tricks by Chessie

Good morning Frankie!

   I’m getting a late start this morning… Mom tried to sleep in a bit later, and so that meant she wasn’t getting up to feed me my breakfast. It was the first coolish morning, and we had the windows open. Good sleeping weather, so we were all snuggled into the covers on the bed, but as it became dawn’s early light, I got a rumble in my tummy and I wanted my breakfast.

   I walked around Mom a couple of times – over her pillow, onto her shoulder and even tried to snuggle against her arm – all the while purring, of course = loudly! Mom just burrowed into the covers and said: “Chessie, let me sleep a while longer!” So l had to resort to ‘the secret weapon’ – whiskers! Tickling – with my whiskers – it works every time! I just quietly sit and move up toward her face and snuffle around a bit in her hair – I like the smell of her shampoo… but then I move my face along near her face and my long, thick whiskers start to tickle my Mom’s nose. My whiskers are one of my best features, even if I do say so myself. I tickle her face – no one, especially my Mom, can resist a tickle! It only takes a minute or so and she announces: “Okay, Chessie, I give up! I’m awake, let’s get up and get us some breakfast!” I can see her smile, she thinks I’m funny.

Awww, Do I Have To Go? (Vet) by Frankie

Hey Chess,

   In my letter about my first vet visit, I said I was 8 lbs, but that was right after I got to my new home. Now that I've been here for a while eating so much yummy food, I've been growing by leaps and bounds. Now I'm right around 10 lbs and still not slowing down. Mommy did adjust my food a little but I still get canned and dry everyday, just not as much. She makes sure I get some kitten nutrition as well as the yummy adult flavors so I grow up happy and strong. Mommy did some research online about Bengal cats, and it said that males (that would be me) get to be approximately 10-15 lbs. That means I'll be a BIG boy when I'm fully grown.

   Back to the vet's I go for the second time... A few weeks later mommy needed to take me back to the vet cause I had a sore spot on my back foot. She saw it before but it looked healed over from a while back, somehow (I played & licked at it) it reopened and got all yucky. She tried to clean it up and put a bandage on but after a few days it only got worse. I was gonna need something more, so the vet gave me antibiotics to get this taken care of. I really liked this vet, he was different from Dr E. There was just something I liked about him, maybe it was how he smelled or petted me. I let him know I liked him a lot by purring very loudly and licking his hand. He laughed and scratched me behind the ears saying I was a very nice kitty.

   Anyway, before we could leave we had to get the antibiotics from the nurse. So while I was in the waiting room, a big dog - yellow lab? - came up to my carrier and started to sniff at me. I smacked at her with my paw through the mesh screen and let her know I thought she was rude. She just stared at me like she didn't understand then looked at my mommy. Mommy pet her and said "It's OK sweetie, I guess Frankie just doesn't like doggies." I looked at her and said 'RUDE doggies mommy, I don't like rude doggies.' My favorite vet came around the corner and called the dog by her name and said "come on, lets go home". It figures, he's a dog person. I guess I should try to be nicer next time since she does belong to him and he is my favorite. Oh well.

Vet Visits by Chessie

Frankie,

   I just read your story about going to the Vet for the first time. Wow! Eight pounds huh? A young ‘un like you better be careful or your Mom will put you on a diet – that means less food to enjoy – not fun. I am about the same weight as you, and have been forever. My Mom says I eat to live, not live to eat like she does – whatever that means. But my Vet – a nice lady too! – always gives me a gold star on my chart because my weight is purrfect – no fat kitty me!

   It is a big clinic, and hospital, with lots of docs and staff, and I’ve been going there ever since we moved away from Florida; everyone there knows me. They are all very nice to me and call me by my name – I don’t know how they remember me. The only thing that I don’t like about going to the Vet (you are right it has some really weird smells) but it also has other cats and dogs there: big, barking, drooling dogs. Sometimes they stick their noses right up to my carrier and snort! How rude! I don’t like dogs, it doesn’t matter the size – big ones bark, little ones yap, they are all noisy. Not well behaved, like me.

   We’ll have to discuss more about going to the Vet another time, but right now… I’m getting sleepy – nap time, Chessie     

DIY Tall People by Frankie

Hi Chessie,

 No little people here, but I do see a few that walk the neighborhood out front. There have been a couple of times that they will see me at the door looking out and they wave as they go by. If the windows are open I hear them say "Mommy look, kitty!" I don't know how I feel about them though.

 Mommy has big tall people come in the house, even taller than mommy herself. I try to get close enough without them knowing, so I can sniff them. I wait til they talk with mommy to slink up and check out their big thick boots. So many new and interesting smells. Since the house is a bit older it needs to be worked on and updated here and there. Mommy has a bunch of different people come in and mess around with things. Then mommy says "well I could do that myself" and mom-mom rolls her eyes. In case you didn't catch on already, mommy has her hands full with me and her new burst of DIY energy.

 Anyway, I gotta go. Looks like mommy's packing another box and moving stuff around. I need to check everything out and make sure she doesn't miss anything.

 Later, Frankie

Little Houseguests by Chessie

Hey Frankie,

   I was just curious – does your Mom have other people come to your house to visit? We have lots of Mom’s friends and family visit here at the beach. Some of them are big people and some of them are little – about half the size of Mom, or even smaller. These little people are funny because they like to lay on the floor and watch the big box that has pictures that move and noise coming out of it. TV, I think that’s what they call it.

   Anyway, these little people are always interesting to play with, and they like to play with me, and brush my fur, and pet my head. So I like it when they come to visit us, and sometimes they sleep over the night. Then I curl up and nap nearby in the hallway and listen to them sleep – to be sure they don’t go away in the night. It’s fun to play with little people especially… big people too, but only some of them. I’ll tell you about the big people who come to visit another time.

   Chessie

My Window Perch by Frankie

Hi Ya Chessie,

   I just wanna tell you about my new window perch mommy got me. See, all the windows in the house are up high, so I need to be sitting on something to look out them. There is furniture in front of most of them but not where I really want to look out. Mommy has moved around some things but my favorite spot is in Mom-moms room. You get the best view of the bird feeders and the rest of the back yard. In case you didn't already know, I wanna see the feeders up close and personal. Where I can almost jump out and catch a singing birdie or big fat squirrel. Although, it is around ten feet away plus a tall drop to the ground, but I think I could do it.

   Anyway, mom-mom said she was "NOT gonna move her things around for me to put my big butt up in her window to wreck her curtains". So mommy looked around online to see what she could use for me and came up with a window perch. It's so comfy with a soft furry cover and she opens the window for me with the screen in so I can smell all the wonderful fresh air. It's been cool here too and a nice wind early in the morning. I can see and hear the birdies singing as they eat. During the hot time of the day (noon-3pm) the birds must take a nap in the shade cause I don't see or hear them that much. Oh, and the best part of the perch is I'm not 'under foot', meaning I don't get stepped on or pushed out of the way by mom-mom. I'm still learning the right and wrong way to push the curtains out of the way, mom-mom can be very particular about that.

   I'm sure I'll have lots more letters to write to you about what's going on outside from my new perch.

   Write To Ya Later, Frankie

Talking With Birdies & Yummy Butter by Chessie

Good day Frankie!

   How are you doing?  I’ve still been enjoying the lazy last days of summer.  The weather has been lovely, not too hot here at the beach with a gentle breeze, so Mom has had the kitchen slider open and I can smell the flowers on the patio and hear all the birds chirping.  The wild birds get fed seed every morning very early, right after I get my breakfast (I eat before everybody else in the house, even Mom’s friends who visit!)

   Anyway, I watch all the fluttering about under the big ol’ pine tree where the seed is, and sometimes the little wrens and sparrows come onto the patio looking for a stray ant or two.  They are quite funny, they come right up to the open screen door and turn their heads carefully watching me, and all I do  is sit very still.  If they get too close, I will make a little chattering noise under my breath, but I guess they don’t hear too well – ‘cause it doesn’t frighten them away. I always wonder if I could catch one, but the screen is firmly closed over the door.  I tried to open it with my paw once but Mom said ‘no!’ very sternly.

   I’ll watch the birds and the big, very fat squirrels in the yard until I hear the toaster pop up.  Then I make a quick jump up on the kitchen island and wait for Mom to bring me the knife she has buttered her toast with.  Yum!  I only get a little lick of melted butter from the tip of the knife - on those mornings she had a piece of toasted homemade bread – just enough, but no more.  I love melted butter, not the cold hard stuff tho’.  The bread smells good too, but only ‘cause it has warm butter melting in the nooks and crannies. I sniffed some toast crumbs one morning, but there wasn’t any melted butter on them – ugh.  I don’t really like any of the food Mom calls ‘people food.’ Just butter.  If I could only get her to put melted butter on my food.  Gotta go work on that idea.

Catch up later, Chessie

Lost Balls and My New Fetish by Frankie

Hi Ya Chessie,

   Just a quick update from me while mommy's away making herself some tea. The other day I was nosing around and came across an old toy ball. It looked kinda odd with it's weird yellow-green color and fuzzy texture. It isn't really good smelling from all the dust on it but when I push it, it goes rolling fast. I decided to ask mommy about it so I played and rolled it out to her so she could see it. She started laughing and picked it up and asked where I got it. As if I'd tell her where my new stash is located.

   Turns out, nobody has seen it for years. It's been 'lost' behind the bed since there were dogs living here. Someone must have been playing with it and forgot where they put it. Mommy dusted and cleaned it up by vacuuming it off, then giving it a good soapy wash and dry. She tested it a bit by bouncing it on the floor and getting my attention in the process. In mid bounce I leaped in the air like the jungle cat I am and snatched it away. Scrambling to catch up with it, I ran around the house knocking into things along the way.

   Oh, before I forget to tell you, this is something funny... Mommy thinks I must have a foot fetish cause I like to rub on and lick her feet. She laughs and stops me because it tickles and says it's gross. I think her feet smell and taste nice cause she's always putting lotion or something on them. There's just something about coconut flavored* I mean scented stuff. Yummy!

   Which reminds me, I gotta go find mommy. It's been a little while since I licked her.
Frankie

MY Comfy Chair by Chessie

Meow - there Frankie!!

   What’s going on?  I’m just hanging around the house – my Mom and I have a recurring tussle about my comfy chair... she thinks its hers and I know its mine!  Sometimes she sits in it and I have to get behind her back and nudge her out so I can take a nap!  I’m a delicate little lady, only about seven pounds, but mighty strong when I want her to get out of MY chair.  Mom usually relents... it is such a comfy chair!

   Mom had people in the house visiting for a few days – nice for me – more laps to sit on, but one of them was a big man and he sat in MY chair!  My Mom said it was okay even tho’ I sat and stared at him – he didn’t get the point!  It’s my chair and only sometimes do I let Mom sit there with me too.  But there was no room for me when he was sitting there.  But he left this morning, so I have my house back – and Mom’s busy working in the office, so I can sleep in my comfy chair again undisturbed...purr...

Let Sleeping Mommy's Lie by Frankie

Hey Chessie,

   Yeah, mommy has snapped a few pics of me sleeping. She says it's cause I'm so cute, but I think it's just her being weird. I like to dose off and on in the day as 'cat naps' and I see mommy checking up on me to see what I'm up to. I also do the same with her in the day when I run and play around the house.

   At night I do watch her sometimes, but I really like to play more. I'll jump up on her bed and wrap my front paws around her legs as I fall over on my side and nip at her toes through the sheets. Most of the time she'll just move around without waking up. But sometimes she'll sit up and grab me then slide me up to cuddle with her. I only lay there for a minute or two until she falls back asleep, then I'm up and rolling again.

   As long as I'm being quiet and playing everything is fine, but if I get up on mommy's bookcase that's next to the window, she gives me a warning. Not that I actually listen thou, she calls for me to get down two or three times, then just as she gets up I'll jump down and go running out the room. I know when she means business, but I'll push up against that line to see how far I can get.

   During the day if mommy's not feeling good, she lays down for a nap sometimes. That's when I get up in bed with her and snuggle, but only a little. I wait til she gets comfy, then I go to the foot of her bed and stretch out all I want.

   Hhmmm, just thinking about it is making me a bit sleepy. Talk to ya later,
Frankie

Night Time Activities by Chessie

Frankie,

   I have a question for you – since you are young and inquisitive.  Does your Mom watch you sleep?  Oh wait, of course she does, ‘cause my Mom told me she’s seen pictures on your Blog of you all curled up in a little furry ball.

   Anyway, have you ever watched your Mom when she’s asleep?  I do it sometimes in the middle of the night when I’m bored and I want my Mom to get up and play with me.  I’ll just sit on the edge of the table by the bed where she sleeps, or sometimes I even sit on her bed, in the corner – up close to her head.  I’m patient.  I watch her sleep.  I’ll sit there for quite some time, but eventually staring at her wakes her up and when she opens her eyes to see the clock – I pounce.

   I’ll snuggle against Mom’s head and purr – I’m so happy she’s awake, she laughs and says ‘Stop, I can’t breathe!’  She turns her face the other way and I run to her other side – and do it again. It’s fun!  Of course, its more serious business when she tries to sleep in her bed at first light in the morning; that’s when I’m hungry and I want my breakfast!

   I start moving around looking behind the window blinds, checking for the critters that move about in the yard in the very early morning light.  I run from window to window to see if the deer, or even the pretty fox is in my yard.  All the banging of the window blinds sometimes wakes Mom, but other times I have to go back to her bed and sit quietly and stare at her until she gets up and feeds me my breakfast.  She has to get up very early – at first light – ‘cause by then I’ve worked up an appetite from prowling around the house and sitting and watching Mom sleep in the dark.

   Try it sometime and see what you you think, Chessie

Flowers by Chessie

G’day Frankie!

   Hope you are enjoying these lovely days of late summer.  I was asleep in my comfy chair when I realized that the computer was not being used, so I thought I would write you a quick note... my Mom has been spending lots of time in the garden working with the flowers and shrubs... she cuts off some of the flowers and brings them into the house and puts them in a big, tall glass filled with water.  I like to drink lots of water, always have, so sometimes I will try to take a drink from what the flowers have been placed in.

   I usually get sidetracked though and sniff the flowers to find out why they are in water and not still in the garden.  I can usually catch a whiff of the lovely perfume smell when they are in the garden and the windows are open, but in the house – right under my nose -  it is heavenly.  So sweet smelling.

   Sometimes I try to pull out a blossom that I particularly like and nibble the petals.  That makes Mom crazy ‘cause then I get pollen all over my face... why does that matter?  Then I smell good too.  She has to wash the pollen off my face, but that’s okay, I like having my face washed with a warm, soapy terry washcloth. I don’t know why Mom brings the sweet, pretty flowers in the house for us to enjoy, if I can’t sniff them too and play with the petals.  Sometimes our Mom’s have funny ideas.

   Uh oh, I think I hear her coming to her office... later,
Chessie

Outside Vacume by Frankie

Hi Chess,

   About your odd garden monster, I have no idea what it's called but it does remind me of the vacuum, so I think it's an outside vacuum. The next door neighbor has one just like yours where he sits on top and tells it where to go. However it's red with black and is so fast I barely have time to jump from window to window to watch it.

   Mommy has one too but she has to push it along herself, I think because it's much smaller and has to plug into the house with a cord. (Oh, that's another rule, cords are NOT string - Don't Eat Cords!) I guess mommy's vacuum doesn't like being pushed around cause it makes that loud noise and sometimes doesn't eat all the grass it's saposta. Mommy and mom-mom take turns pushing it all over the front and back yards.

   All the birds and squirrels are terribly afraid of them too. They run and hide until mommy is done and fills the feeders and water bowls. Then little by little they all come back and start pecking at the ground, as if food was thrown everywhere. I like to watch through the glass doors as I press my nose down to the little crack at the bottom and sniff the grass smell. If I can just get out there someday, I'd roll around in the dirt and grass to make myself smell like outside. Then I could sneak up on the birdies and catch one. Mommy said I could try but she doesn't think I could get close enough. She says 'birdies are friends - Not food. I still think I wanna try though.

Catch ya later,
Frankie

Garden Monster by Chessie

Frankie,

   I must tell you about the very strange animal in my yard.  I have never seen anything quite like it... and I can’t imagine what kind of animal it could be.  Maybe you will know because you did spend some brief time in our yard last spring before you went to your new home.  I noticed it earlier in the summer.

   A man sits on top of it – it is quite large and it makes the most awful growling noise – very loud and fearsome!  And it is like a humongous bumble bee - all yellow and black.  The man rides on top of it and it moves very fast twirling and running and spinning all over the yard, maybe trying to toss the man off it’s back.  Then it stops for a short time, and it stops growling and the man gets off it and takes a big scoop on its back and empties it into a bag and then he gets back on and it starts to growl fearsomely again.

   Sometimes it comes very, very close to my sunny room window and I can smell the sharp tang of it’s fumes and dust with grass – I love the smell of grass!  But when the man riding the beast sees me sitting close at the window watching it roar around my yard – he laughs at my fearlessness!  I am not afraid of it, no siree,  but I am glad that I am safe behind the glass window and that I don’t have to ride that big, growling yellow monster.  Have you ever seen anything like that?

   I’m going to take a nap because it’s quiet again, later, Chessie.

My First Vet Visit by Frankie

Hey Chessie,

   I keep forgetting to write to you about my first vet visit, like I said I would. OK, here goes...

   On my first visit I weighed in at 8.3 lbs and I saw Dr E (it's what I'll call her for short). She said I seem to be healthy and not anywhere near too thin. Guess with all the food your mommy gave me it kept me full. The nurse took me in a back room so she could get a sample of blood to run the usual tests. Then came time for all the shots (rabies, distemper, etc) It wasn't so bad, just pinched a little. The doctors office was really nice, so many different kinds of new smells, and things to look at. I was a bit nervous at first, but I stayed on my best behaviour, Dr E even said so. After the poking and prodding, all the nurses wanted to see me, cause I was such a good and quite little boy, plus they thought I was such a cutie.

   On this visit, the nurse that took my blood used some of it for the Feline Leukemia test, unfortunately it wasn't taken correctly (it was her 1st time doing the test). We all make mistakes sometimes, but it came up as a false-positive. Dr E said we'd have to do it over again, and the second test was negative, Woo-hoo!

Nicknames by Frankie

Hey Chess,

   I've just been hanging around the house lately, seeing what kind of stuff I can get into. Mommy was walking around the house the other day, cleaning and such. Going from room to room with stuff, and I was kinda bored so I started to follow her. She would be standing somewhere dusting or organizing something and I'd rub up on her legs and 'talk' to her. She likes when I do that. When she finished putting the clean clothes away she stopped for a sec to pick me up. Then kissed me a bunch of times all over my head and face. I must be getting use to it since I don't think it's too horrible now. When I first came here I'd push and wiggle my way free cause I felt like they were gonna drop me.

   Oh! Before I forget... I know you said before that you don't do nicknames, but apparently here, it's anything goes. Mommy likes to call me 'her little weirdo', but mom-mom thinks it's mean of her to say that. I think if mommy is a bit odd and I'm her little weirdo that means I'm fitting in. Right? I guess that's a good thing cause I like it here and I'm not leaving anytime soon. Besides, I heard mom-mom call me 'the galloping gourmet' when I came running out of the bedroom at dinnertime. So she's one to talk... lol.

Paper Bag Games by Chessie

Hey Frankie,

   I just remembered another fun game I get to play sometimes with my Mom - its with brown paper bags.  Most of the groceries and stuff that she brings into the house come in some flimsy material she calls plastic.  But she won’t let me play with those bags ‘cause she says they are dangerous for kitties, so she takes them away from me if I go snooping in them for the interesting smells inside.  But sometimes Mom brings home big, heavy brown paper bags – my kitty food comes from a store that only uses paper – so it has wonderful smells of all kinds of toys and food and other goodies for furry critters like us.

   Anyway, when Mom is finished unpacking my kitty food she tips the paper bag on its side, on the kitchen island where I eat breakfast, and lets me climb inside.  Then Mom teases me on the outside of the bag making little scratchy noises with her fingers running all around it like a scurrying little mouse.  After a couple of minutes of me chasing the noise I stop and wait to pounce... that’s when Mom slowly picks the bag up and lifts me in the air, then gently puts me down on the floor so that the bag is upright.  That’s when I get to tip the bag over and shoot out of it dashing around the house and then I come running back to the kitchen and dive back into the bag, which usually causes it to go sliding across the floor propelled by me jumping inside.  That always makes my Mom laugh!  When I make my Mom laugh – that makes me happy!

Chessie

Newspaper Play by Chessie

Frankie!

   I just saw your post about the crumpled newspaper balls! LOVED the pictures of you: master of the mess!!  Wow, your Mom must have laughed so hard... before she realized you weren’t going to help clean it up, uh oh.

   Well, I have another game I like to play with newspapers – and it is a little neater too.  When my Mom reads the newspaper she drops sections on the floor and sometimes they tent up in the air a little bit at the fold.  I wait until that happens and then, when Mom isn’t paying any attention – I slip under the newspaper fold.  I can usually get my whole body all the way under so its just my tail sticking out – and its dark and quiet and I can nap there for a while.  Of course my Mom thinks its funny and sometimes she’ll ‘catch’ my tail as I wag it gently back and forth.  That’s an invite for me to go running out from under the newspaper, throwing it off my back as I go running out of the room in one real fast lap through the house and then back again – jumping up on the ottoman where Mom rests her feet when she’s reading.

   Really, really fun – and sometimes she plays the game again with me – but this time she’ll drop the newspaper over my head when I’m resting on her ottoman.  My Mom is such a character – she also likes to play ‘peek a boo’ with me, using the edge of the newspaper just raising it a bit to ‘find’ me!   

   Fun, fun!  I’m going for a nap now... all this talk about running around the house has tired me out,  Chessie

paper - Paper - PAPER !!! by Frankie

Hey There Chessie,

   I took your advice you gave me earlier about hiding toys for later. A few weeks ago I was playing with my little mouse, the one your mommy gave me before getting to my new family. And I remembered what you said. So I stashed it away and mommy has been looking for it ever since... lol  Every now and then I will get it out and play with it in the living room, tossing it up in the air, then catching it mid flight and pouncing on it. Oh, it's so much fun playing with it. Sometimes mommy hears me and comes out to see what I'm up to, so I have to grab it before she sees and hide it again. She's getting close to finding my hiding places though. I'll need to change it up a little.

   Mommy was reading an ad paper the other day from a craft store called ACMoore that she shops at. When she was done she was just going to recycle it, but I was looking kinda bored. So she crumpled it up into a ball, which got my attention right away, and threw it over my head. Well, I should say she tried to throw it over me, I caught it mid-air. She cheered and said I was a good boy, I like that, it makes me feel good. Anyway, I like to roll around with the paper ball, scratch it with my feet and tear the corners off into shreds. Mommy got such a kick out of watching and playing with me, she decided to get more ads from the paper and make more balls to play with. We played for hours together and by the time we were tired and needed a nap, the whole house was covered in ripped up and crumpled pieces of paper everywhere. I love it, it's so much fun, but as usual mommy just had to snap a few pics of me. After we both settled down a little, she picked up all the pieces and put them in my box to be played with again later. You just have to get your mommy to do the paper thing with you. It's so much fun!

Coffee by Chessie

Hi There Frankie!

   What’s doing with you this lazy summer day?  I’ve just been hanging around my Mom’s desk, sleeping on her computer router – its nice and warm and hums and vibrates a very little bit. Sweet.  She’s stepped away from the desk for a few minutes... so I thought I would tell you about my newest discovery = coffee.

   Every morning since forever, after Mom and I have our breakfasts (she feeds me first, of course) she makes this pot of dark brown stuff.  It smells interesting, I can’t quite describe it, sorta nutty and sweet.  When she turns on the machine that makes it, which sits on the kitchen counter – the same counter that I am NOT allowed on! – it gurgles and makes all manner of noise and hisses steam and then there is a big loud finishing noise and it stops.  Mom pours the liquid in a big mug and takes it into my sunny room and sits in MY comfy chair and reads the newspaper – another fun thing to play with, which I will tell you about some other time.

   Anyway, this has been happening almost every morning for forever... as long as we’ve shared my sunny room.  Well, one morning a couple of weeks ago, Mom got up to stop the black thing on the kitchen counter from ringing – it’s so annoying!  She stayed in the kitchen and talked into the thingy for a long time, so I got back up in my comfy chair and sniffed at the brown liquid in Mom’s mug.

   The warm steam from the hot liquid tickled my noise, but it wasn’t too hot ‘cause their wasn’t much brown stuff left.  Just a little in the very bottom, so I pushed my head in the mug to see if I could reach it with my tongue – it did smell wonderful, different than anything I’ve ever had and in the cup the flavor seemed intense. But I got my head almost all the way into the cup and was just about to taste this mysterious liquid – when Mom came back into the room!  I heard her yell, but the smells in the mug were so lovely and I didn’t want to stop – my head was snugly almost to the bottom – my whole face was inside the mug.  Mom sat down and gently pulled my head out of the mug and said, very sternly "Coffee isn’t for kitties!"  So now I know it’s called ‘coffee’ – it sure does smell nice, and I still want to taste it, I’ll just have to wait for that thingy to ring again and take Mom away from her coffee mug!