My dear sponsors,

I have a little something to share with you – I want it all. Yes, all! I’ll settle for now for the adoration of the world (and, in particular, the people that visit Tabby’s Place). But really, I think life would be best if I were The Cat in Charge. I just don’t want to share, either my authority or the affection of my subjects.

It seems, however, that some of the other lobby cats have their own dreams of domination. Take Gunther for example. Just the other day, I was sitting on a sumptuous lap, my ears and back being stroked just so, and Gunther settled on the floor not far from my perch. There he sat, not moving a muscle, and he stared at me. Can you believe it? He had the nerve to look at me while I was being pet. I fixed him, though. I glared right back at him, refusing to blink until my person distracted Gunther and he looked away. Ha! That showed him, huh?

That wasn’t the end of it. Would you believe that not thirty seconds later, Toya had the audacity to walk across the lobby towards me! I can only imagine why the other cats think it’s a good idea to invade my space, whether it’s from one foot or twenty feet away! Greatness needs room to breathe. Toya is clearly has not yet accepted the fact that I am The Cat in the lobby, and she even had the nerve to rub against the legs of my lap’s person. I knew just how to handle the situation, though, and gave her the stinkiest of stinkeyes until my person stroked Toya’s head a few times and she finally walked away.

It really can be trying, having to deal with all these other cats. I’m not a mean cat, though, so I’m trying to find my more magnanimous side in working through my trials. Take this for example: I was sitting on the floor, looking out the front doors and appreciating the loveliness of spring when one of my people came to me and went down on her knees to pet me. (That’s right, she genuflected. To me. You can’t say I’m not training them well!) All was well…until Levi wandered over.

I’m not sure what he was thinking, but he decided to climb up my person’s back. As if she’d gone down to the floor for his benefit, not mine! I didn’t overreact, though. Levi’s a really nice cat, and he’s got enough challenges, so I didn’t think he needed any words from me. I just stepped a bit further away and waited for him to have his turn for smooshing. If you’re going to be in charge of the whole wide world, you have to know when to be merciful.

There have also been reports that I have been spotted “snuggling” with Cookie. I feel the need to clarify. I have a lot of respect for Cookie, but neither of us can properly be considered a snuggler of fellow felines. Here’s the scoop: we both love the gigantic marshmallow bed that’s in the lobby – love it enough that we just might each be willing to allow the other to nap there at the same time on occasion. And if our bums happen to touch when we’re both asleep, well, blame gravity – you know, the dent in the middle of the mattress and all. All the same, you can hardly call that “snuggling”, can you?

I save my snuggling for people like you!

Love to you all,
Boots

[Boots would like to extend an invitation to his favorite people to come for a visit. He’s receiving visitors daily and would be delighted to have you come and bow down to visit him. He promises not to give you the stinkeye.]