TOOTSIE'S NIGHTLY TEA PARTY

by Lee Simonson

       There's something very strange going on here. I can't prove it, but I think it happens in our kitchen every night.  It takes place after we've all gone to bed and the lights are out.

      I have to be very careful not to jump to conclusions, because if what I suspect is true, the fabric of the universe will tear apart, the world will stop spinning, and civilization will be doomed.

       So, I do warn you.  What you are about to read, while only conjecture, will be shocking.  Some of you may be in denial.  Others will be incredulous.  But regardless, it's my duty to tell you.

      Our cat Tootsie is good at a few things.  First, if she really likes you, she sneezes in your face.  Second, she can plop her butt on a newspaper on the very spot you are reading.  And third -- fasten your seat belts -- we suspect she is hosting a party in our kitchen every night.

     Her invited guests?  The neighbourhood MICE! Now I always thought that mice avoided homes that had cats.  I was told that mice could sense and smell cats and knew enough to stay away.  But not here.

      Evidence indicates the party guests are laughing hysterically at the accommodations and free food, while getting along like it's an old class reunion!

      Tootsie, who was rescued by our daughter, is a black cat with a tuft of white fur on the front of her neck.  One of our friends aptly pointed out that she looks like a priest.  How she ended up here is a long story but suffice it to say, she is a house cat and has never had any experience chasing anything except crinkled up post-it notes, M&M wrappers, and anything that rolls.

      Summary:  Tootsie wouldn't know how to attack a mouse if her life depended on it.  As far as she is concerned, they're playmates.

     We don't let Tootsie sleep with us and she is confined to the downstairs area.  After we go to bed, she has the run of the place. From what we can tell, she is having the time of her life and is apparently doing a darn good job of entertaining the local wildlife with nightly house parties.

     How can we tell?  Well, how it that we can still find mouse tracks (a delicate phrase for something more disgusting) while Tootsie is on the loose in the kitchen all night?  And don't tell me she's sleeping.  She does that during daylight hours.

     If Tootsie approaches mice the same way she goes after spiders and ants and mosquitoes, the mice have a friend for life.  In fact, the rodents have probably never been safer.  She obviously missed the classes on cat stalking and attacking since she thinks everyone, no matter how many legs or arms or wings, is her friend.

     I think she puts out a big cat sign somewhere that says, "Tootsie's Tea Party - Come Join the Fun!"  The mice happily accept, step right up, and take the place over.  It's probably their version of Disney World.

     One thing for sure -- Tootsie is a hostess, not a hunter.  She's ready to entertain and play with anyone whom she stumbles across on her nightly adventures.  Even mice!

     We may never know what really happens in the darkest hours past midnight, but Tootsie is content when the sun rises and wears her Cheshire cat grin quite well.  We can only suspect that the mice have retreated to more private quarters as they patiently await their next chance to play with Tootsie.

     Nature may not have planned it that way, but so far, it looks like everyone is having a good time.

n       Lee Simonson, Publisher, Petwarmers

                        <Moderator at petwarmers.com>

 As seen in www.petwarmers.com August 2007

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