as you may recall, i mentioned a while ago that a dog might be a good addition to the family.  we used to have dogs, but they’re all gone now.  i fancy the idea of a pit bull to help me keep the other cats in line.  so the gal and i have talked it over, and without mentioning it to mr. her husband, we started looking at rescue websites for a nice canine friend for her and me.  she found an adoption event nearby, and off she went to see if our new pal was there waiting for us.  my hopes were pretty high, and while she was gone i paced the floor like an expectant father from a sit-com.  then i heard the car in the drive.  the door opened.  she walked in—–with a kitten!

my heart sank.  what the hell.  a kitten?  really?  after all our conversations about dogs, she brings this home?  i have no beef with cats, what with being one myself, but damn it all, how is this little thing going to help my master and commander compaign?  there’s no way a kitten will help me restore order with the fractious femmes.  “but he’s an orphan,” she said.  “hiss,” said i.  she’s calling him Spot because he looks like a little black blob of ink.  Lady Macbeth expresses my feelings quite nicely.  “Out damned Spot! Out i say!”

i wanted strength and teeth and muscle to set things right, and what i got was this tiny, helpless baby.  oy.   happy advent and purr, y’all.