Update 04/16/07: Perpetua has learned to play a kitten version of baseball. When my children were young, we lived in Cincinnati the year the Big Red Machine won the World Series with Johnny Bench, Pete Rose, George Foster, et al. I didn't care but my husband and children persuaded me to attend a game "just this once." They were eager for me to enjoy it, so a couple of them shouted, "Hit one for Mother!"
A few weeks ago I was reminded of those long ago days when I set a new roll of toilet paper temporarily on the side of the tub and watched with astonished laughter as Perpetua jumped up and swatted it off. When I put it back, she swatted again.
I told her she's a good hitter and this time, when I reset the roll on the tub, I said to her, "Hit one for Mother, Perpetua!" She swatted it and was rewarded with effusive praise and applause and one small IAM dry kernel.
I told her she's just like George Foster. Once I had interviewed him for a magazine, and had discovered he was much more than a good ball player; he was a really good man.
Now if I want her to play, I close the door and secretly prepare the field ahead of time by lining up six or eight rolls on the tub's edge. When I call her and ask if she wants to play "Hit one for Mother, she scampers into the bathroom where she swats and purrs as she eats her IAM kernel and waits for me to say it again, "Hit one for Mother, Perpetua!"
Could any kitten be more adorable? I am SO glad See-Saw found you. The joy and laughter you bring to your adopting families is simply beyond price.
Your forever friend, Beverly
