the kitten chronicles -part 202

Sorry for the long time in between posts, loyal followers. Interruption of employment will do that. That's right readers, the Big Cat is on the dole. This makes for much more time with the fur-brains. I may be getting on their nerves. "Why is the Big Cat always home these days?" "He constantly stops us from our valuable work in home destruction - we're now hopelessly behind schedule!"
It's true. The boys have only succeeded in destroying a small throw rug in the past 3 weeks - small potatoes for a world-class
demolition team like Rufus and Rooney. Other things have taken up their time. Like critters coming into the house. Last weekend I was sitting reading the Globe when the boys and I heard a chirping coming from the living room. I assumed a bird had flown down the chimney and was trapped in the house. So I picked the boys up and put them in lockdown in the study so I could deal with getting the trapped bird out. I looked in the room - no bird. I thought I must be imagining things. I released the boys and sat back down with the paper. Then came a new flurry of high-pitched chirping. Back into the living room to investigate. The lads stood back at a safe distance from what looked like a chubby, short-tailed mouse. They carefully poked at the thing with their paws - it made the chirping noise. The boys were very entertained. A new cat toy! How splendid! The new guest turned out to be some kind of vole or mole. And given its stubby legs it couldn't really evade the boys. But boy was it fun to play with. And play they did. But very gently. No tossing it in the air and catching it in their mouth like they often show off doing with their stuffed mice. After half and hour of "investigation" I intervened and removed the visitor with a tea towel and put him shell-shocked, but otherwise fine in the front garden. So how are you going to top that excitement, boys?, I asked the delighted felines. Quite easily, as it turns out. This morning a bird did fly in the house. This provoked a different response from the boys. No more careful restraint. Instead both cats charged after the crazed sparrow leaping several feet in the air. They immediately chased the bird down into the basement working as a deadly tag team. I followed with a blanket hoping to catch the latest visitor before they did. But as I was going down the stairs the boys were heading back up - the game apparently was over. I checked each room for signs of feathers and random mayhem - nothing. The bird had flown up the basement chimney. Rooney and Rufus looked at each other. "Next time, brother, next time." xxx dad