“The RoseBouquet”

This last weekend I was convinced that Snowflake was initiating a game of Hide n’ Seek. Normally, when I’m ready to close the computer and get ready for bed, I pick him up and give him a last hug while I carry him to his room for the night. However, on Friday night he wasn’t at any of his usual places. I began to hunt for his new cozy spot.

I could not find him. My house is only 610 sq. feet, and I know every nook and cranny fairly well.

Finally I went to his room and pulled out the bag with the cat food and rustled the yogurt cup inside which I use to measure out his food. Whoa, immediately he came running. I just don’t know from where.

The next night, same thing. I hunted high and low, and and in places it should be impossible for Snowflake to get into, and then hunted through most of them again. No Snowflake.

After more than half an hour of searching I gave up and got ready for bed, but decided to close my door, so he could not surprise me during the night with a leap onto me. (He did that twice at the beginning). I was in bed with my glasses off, and lights out, when it occurred to me that I had not checked the basement. I had assumed that he came up when I did after folding and bringing up my laundry - but did he really? Maybe not…

I got up and stepped into my slippers, took along a flashlight for dark corners, and went downstairs, calling and hunting for my white cat.

From somewhere, it seemed to be high on a shelf, he made pathetic little mewing sounds. Thinking he might have got himself stuck somewhere in the rafters, I began to hunt in earnest. Still no success.

Going back up I brought his bag of food and tried to lure him with that. No go.

Well, I decided, he has no litter box down here, but he could survive a night. It was going on 1 am, I should go to bed.

I had put away the food, turned out the lights in the basement and was shutting the door, when suddenly Snowflake was at the the foot of the stairs. I called out to him, but he just rolled over on his side, which usually means I’m suppose to come pick him up.

With a sigh I headed down to do so, but he got up and went out of reach. Fortunately, when I clapped my hands, he scampered up the stairs on his own initiative and straight to his room.

It was a relief to us both, yet I had to smile at how long and hard he played at Hide n’ Seek.

It’s also been a surprise to me how many people really liked my Christmas gift booklet, “Beggin’ for Hugs.” Snowflake really made a number of friends with that. If you didn’t get to read it or download your copy, it’s here;
Christmas booklet - Beggin’ for Hugs