Taming of the Shrew

Good morning! Smitty here.

My mom and me...we're pals, and so this being Palentine's Day, I was out bright and early this morning to scare up a little gift for her. It took a while, but eventually I found it. It's one of the things that excites my mom the most: a lovely little shrew.

And I barely got it through the kitty door when, wouldn't you know it? That little bugger wiggled his way right out of my mouth. And then....the hunt was on!

And let me tell you, those things are so fast! Everything was just a blur!

And my mom was so happy and excited, and she kept saying, "Smitty! Catch it! Take it outside!" And hey, man, I was doing the best I could. Then I got the bright idea to jump up on the barstool and use it as my launch pad.

And about that time, my dad came down and he got in on the act. And when the shrew ran by, I launched like those Ninja turtles do and I yelled, MEOWABUNGA!!

As it turns out, my mom and dad were quicker than I am, and they threw a bowl over it. They wanted to play with it outside, and I said, "Whatever you want, man. It's your gift, but they get lost out there. Just sayin'."

But would they listen to me? No. Wouldn't you think they'd know that cats are experts on these kinds of things? So right away, the thing is lost, and everybody goes back inside except for me. I stayed outside and kept looking for it, and eventually, I found it again. And then, when my mom went to get her morning cereal, I dropped it at her feet. And I know she was glad to see it because she said, "Oh, Smitty! You shouldn't have!" She always says that when I bring her little gifts.

So, we had a lot of fun playing catch again. But my mom...she never learns. She wanted to play with it outside again, and now I'm afraid it's gone for good. Oh well. I can probably catch another one for her. Just give me a little time.

I hope your Palentine's Day is as sweet as ours is starting out to be! Smitty, signing off. There's work to do. A cat's life is never dull.