Conference misery::feline_v1

993.0. "Baby's first Christmas" by CIVIC::JOHNSTON (I _earned_ that touch of grey!) Tue Dec 29 1987 13:40

    Christmas Day began much as any other day at the Johnston homestead.
    Milo woke up at his usual 6:00 a.m. and began doing laps around
    the bed on the rails swatting mother's feet, Maggie's tail, and
    mother's ponytail on each lap.  Dad scooped him up and they went
    to make the coffee.  Maggie stretched and began slapping me about
    the face to 'get up and get bathed so you won't be late for work,
    Mother.'  I rolled over and went back to sleep.
    
    I awoke at 9, to the tune of Maggie glaring at me with that 'it's
    a wonder they don't FIRE you, you lazy slut' look -- she knew it
    wasn't Saturday, she never wakes me before 10 on Saturday.  While
    I was showering, Milo came in to tell me that the tree in the corner
    of the living room had sprouted more stuff and I had better come
    quick.  'Also, Mother please feed me because Daddy hasn't fed me
    in 14.2 yeeeears!'
    
    Now, let me state that Milo had become reconciled to the tree growing
    in the livingroom to the point of checking on it frequently for
    any new developments; but he was totally unprepared for Christmas
    morning.  When we began to open boxes -- well, words don't do him
    justice!  As each box was opened he carried off any and all tissue
    paper, excelsior, and styrofoam peanuts contained therein and ran
    back to see the next box opened.  He became frantic to the point
    of dementia if Rick and I opened things at the same time, so we
    had to take turns.  After the 4th or 5th box, Milo noticed Maggie
    seated regally on my small foot-stool peering into boxes within
    her range and he seemed to think, "Oh! they forgot to get HER anything"
    and proceeded to drop two [2] styrofoam peanuts at her feet.  This
    was ALL he felt he needed to share with her.
    
    Maggie was un-impressed.  SHE, of course, knew that it was all for
    her anyway...
    
    When Rick & I opened the champagne with breakfast, Milo appropriated
    the cork and the cage. [These are two of Milo's favourite things!].
    Maggie stepped right in and took the cage from him -- this is one
    of HER favourite things.
    
    Then mother was cooking...then Daddy was putting things together...then
    mother was serving up dinner...then Maggie was checking it out...
    then...
    
    Poor Milo did NOT sleep from 6 a.m. to 10 p.m.  All day, every time
    he thought he was drifting off, he'd snap out of it and tear up
    some peanuts or chase his cork or just run up and down and up and
    down the stairs.  When he finally fell asleep, his little feet were
    still twitching!
    
    The next day, Milo woke up at 7 a.m., walked to the top of the bed
    and flopped over on mother's pillow and promptly got back to sleeping.
    Milo got up several times to potty, to have a drink, to move in
    to the living room and sleep on first Dad, then Mother...all in
    all, he spent the day AFTER Christmas semi-comatose.
    
    Maggie was FINALLY able to conduct her traditional minute inspection
    of the Christmas loot without interruption.
    
      Annie

    Well, this was Sherlock's first Christmas also.  He's decided that
    the pretty colored balls on the tree are there for his amusement.
    He swats at them and grabs them between both front feet until he
    pulls them off, leaving the top and hanger in place on the tree.
    I've spent a lot of time moving ornaments higher and higher into
    the tree to keep him from getting them.  We put some plastic ones
    on long strings near the bottom of the tree just for Sherlock to
    play with.  But, of course, he prefers the breakable ones.
    
    He had a ball Christmas day.  Playing with the wrapping paper, ribbons,
    bows, and anything else we'd let him.  In fact, he dove into the
    large garbage bag of wrapping paper and helped himself to some nice
    big pieces which he crawled under and played turtle (just the head
    and feet showing).
    
    Ande

    Re:  .1
    
    Wouldn't it be great if we could scan in color pictures of our pusses?
    Big ones for the id note and we could decorate our individual messages
    with borders of pictures of our cats.... color graphics terminals
    for everyone!
    

    re:  borders of pictures of our cats ... on our replys
    
    If pictures of our cats were part or our replys to this conference,
    I am sure that _some_ of us would have no room left over for any
    text in the reply.
    
    Marion

    RE: -1
          
    We all KNOW of one person who wouldn't have any room for her reply.
     Right Elaine????
          
    
    Holly

    I was very surprised at how well my babies handled Xmas this year.
    The cats didn't rip one package or destroy anything on the tree.
    Something is definitely wrong.
    
    My dog did manage to knock down the tree Xmas night but nothing
    got broken.
    
    Lightning was seen playing with the balls on the tree and Deja did
    like to sleep under it but nothing was destroyed.
    
    Wow !!!
    
    Sandi
    

    Gee Holly, are you saying that because a whole wall in my office
    is completely covered with pictures of my 12 kids?  There are also
    piles of them on my tea table and two boxes of pics at home!
    
    E.T.