The Return of Yellow Mouse

Yellow Mouse has returned to us. Proving once again that even when luvin' hurts, it's still luvin'.

One of the cats in my home is named Booger. She started out with a perfectly nice name, but earned Booger. I guess the most polite way to say this is that Booger is "neurotic." She hides in very small places - like under our sofa. She fears being picked up. She demands affection only when you are sitting on a chair and she is on the floor. And, she has a favorite toy - Yellow Mouse. Every day, she would batter Yellow Mouse about - eventually shoving it under furniture or doors. Then, Booger would pace in front of where ever Yellow Mouse was - and cry until I fished it out for her. She also would play fetch with Yellow Mouse. Sometimes, she'd forget where she shoved Yellow Mouse, and patrol the whole house looking for it. A couple of times, Yellow Mouse would stay hidden for a week or more.

About 18 months ago, Yellow Mouse decided she'd had enough of this abuse and hit the road. Furniture was up turned. All doors opened and closets searched. Yellow Mouse was gone. Booger could not be distracted by Blue Mouse or Orange Mouse. Every day, she'd look at the bathroom closet door as if Yellow Mouse might just be hiding better than usual.

Eventually, Booger would play fetch with Orange Mouse - but she never had the joy of shoving it under doors or furniture.

Then, Friday - Yellow Mouse returned! Booger found her in the bird seed pail. Since we feed the birds regularly, and refill the pail frequently - I have to think that Yellow Mouse really did seek her fortune on the road - and found the outside world a cold place.

Booger promptly shoved her under the bathroom closet door - where she belongs.