Do not let the innocent photo fool you. Junior is merely posing; he doesn’t use his little bed often or for long. He’s been using them more often because of the cold, but his favorite spot is my recliner…

Last night, Scamper came to the door rather late. Of course we let her in. Then when she left, I closed the door. Five minutes later, she was back. Why can’t she *finish* eating and then leave? It was husband’s turn so he let her in. The bell rang, so we knew Junior went out. Moments later, it rang again, Scamper out. Husband got up and closed the door. I was busy trying to fall asleep. That was going well, except husband was being awfully noisy. Little rumbles as he moved around. Who knew sheets could make so much noise? And funny breathing, but his allergies have been acting up lately. I expected him to get up and take allergy medicine at any moment because he sounded like he was hissing rather than breathing. Then there was the rather large thump from the living room, which was a pretty good trick since husband was in bed next to me.

Whaaat?

I bleary-eyed myself into the living room and turned on the light. There was an orange lump that was probably Junior. I went to get my glasses. Husband was up now asking, “What was that thump?”

“I don’t know. Junior’s in though.” I left him mentally adding up the bell rings.

In the living room, sure enough the orange lump was Junior. No sign of Scamp.

“Is she in here? Maybe she’s under the couch,” Husband suggested.

“I thought I heard her body-slam the door. That’s what she usually does when she wants out.” I went over to the door, looked out and checked the dining room. Nope, no Scamper.

Husband said, “There she is,” as he spotted her on the other side of the couch. “Did you want out?”

“Why can’t you meow like a normal cat?” I asked her. Of course, I opened the door. Of course, she waited for me to get allllll the way on the other side of the room before going out.

The bell works well for telling us a cat is going in and out. It does not tell us when Junior goes out and comes right back in. But at two in the morning, we don’t pay much attention. Not until later when Scamper lets us know we have *Failed* again.