LISTEN to the Chapter

After Christmas, Sandee took the shiny tree away and the snow continued to fall.  Then one day the phone rang, and before I knew it, Andrea was running around the house, excited and packing suitcases.  She had gotten her first job and said “Vanny, we’re moving to DC, ok? It’s going to be great, you will love it there.”  A few weeks later, we left Pennsylvania, crossed the Mason Dixon line, and moved into a condominium in Virginia. I was not sure about this.  I was a PA kitty, born and raised.  What if they didn’t have good bird watching in Virginia? What about all my toys and my treats, are we taking them with us?  Andrea assured me everything would be fine and I trusted her. She always took care of me and I’d go anywhere with her, even if it meant leaving my country home for the city life.

Our condo was very empty, no sofa, no tables or chairs… just a bed, a TV, and a green bean bag.  Oh and my portable bathroom, of course.  Andrea promised we would get a sofa and some more toys for me as soon as she got her first raise. 

During the day, I learned the city has much more action than the country.  Lots of cars and people going places.   I would watch and make sure every car in the parking lot was in their correct assigned parking space and give Andrea the report when she got home (see photo of my top notch surveillance to the right). 

At night, we would sit on the floor and watch TV; Andrea would sit on the bean bag, it was the only piece of furniture we had. And every time she would get up to get a snack, I would steal her seat.  Eventually, she caved, like always, and gave me the bean bag seat (see photo of my persistent efforts to the right). 

After about a week, I began to get used to my new home and my new routine.  We would go out on the balcony and watch the neighbors and the birdies.  And I even took up a new hobby, gardening! I was an expert green thumb, always inspecting my soil.  Andrea was not a fan of my gardening efforts, always cleaning my muddy paws, with a baby wipe and a lecture.

And with all this newness, I still got to go home to Pennsylvania a lot.  Every time Andrea had to “travel for work”, she would load us into the red car and 3 naps later I’d find myself back home with Tom and Sandee.  I began to see this new arrangement wasn’t so bad; now I had a summer AND a winter home.  Two residences, hot dog, I mean cat. 

Chapter 6:  The First Stamp in my Kitty Passport