My dear friends,

Spring is well and truly here, at last. I didn’t think I minded winter all that much, but now that the seasons have turned, I remember that while cold makes for good snuggling, everything just feels so much better when spring arrives. Breezes that sneak through the lobby door are softer; trees on the mountain across the way are getting a reddish haze that can only mean that leaves will soon be on the branches; daffodils nod in the garden and cheer us all. Well, most of the time, anyway.

Generally speaking, the people around here seem to be in better spirits now that the weather is warmer. I’ve heard a few muttering about tax season, though, and being the Responsible Cat that I am, I thought I should look into what it’s all about. Let’s just say it was a short look, hmm?

I’m all for being a good citizen and paying my fair share, but I hardly even get the concept of “earnings”. I earn nothing. I am flat-out entitled to every morsel of tuna and scratch on the head that I get! And schedules Q, X, and Z? Absolutely not. No schedules, thank you very much, unless the schedule to follow includes designated meal and nap times. Quite frankly, after learning more about this whole tax filing thing, the only files I’m interested in are the pile of folders on the desk that make for a nice napping spot in a pinch. I hope you can forgive me, knowing now that I’m a tax evader.

I won’t evade you, though, if you happen to stop in to say hello! In fact, I have been sooooo sweet lately, and I’ve been super nice to the other cats, too. The people around here are a little mystified, given that I have long needed daily behavior-helper medicine. I’ll tell you my secret, though…it’s all part of my plot to win my freedom! You see, they don’t trust me to spend the night loose with the other cats in the lobby, so every evening, into a crate I go. It’s nice enough, but a cat’s got to have the freedom to roam. Maybe if I keep up the nice stuff a while longer they’ll let me stay out nights.

Cross your fingers for me, my friends! Being nice is growing on me more and more every day, so maybe things will work out just the way I want. In the meantime, I’m going to go sleep in a puddle of spring sun. I hope you can find a good spot for a springtime nap, too!

Much love,
Boots