Pinky Ruth #26

I went home today. Big Daddy drove Maddie and I in the car. I was particularly impressive with my complaints about this trip. I howled loudly, nonstop, the entire way. I was quite interested each time we went through a tunnel. I was always surprised when it got dark and then surprised again when the light returned. I did stop my yowling and squawking when we got close to the apartment where Maddie and I live. I sniffed the air. I knew where I was. I knew I was home.

Once Big Daddy left, I spent the day curled up in my secret, Seattle, walk in closet blanket fort, nestled among all of Maddie's clothes. I had a good, long, peaceful rest.

I am now lounging in front of the heat vent in my pink scratcher box. As soon as Maddie feeds me my dinner, I will be perfectly content, glad to be home.

Signed, Pinky Ruth

#homesweethome #Icanmeowforhours #fortsrule

Pinky Ruth #25

Big Daddy and Lay-dee took Loud Nerf Gun Boy back to his college this morning. Those rascal hooligan cats slept away the entire day. Maddie and I had the whole house to ourselves.

This was my moment.

I jumped up on the ledge that overlooks the living room. Maddie took my picture so there would be proof that I was now the queen of the manor, above everyone. I then had two major zoomie sessions-going in and out of every room as fast as I could. I also found a plastic bag in the bathroom. I chewed on this tasty treat for a few minutes before Maddie took it away from me.

Maddie has told me we are going home tomorrow and I am very glad. I am going to go to bed early tonight. I will need my energy tomorrow to complain meow the entire car ride home.

Signed, Pinky Ruth #bowdowntothequeen #notafraidofheights #tasteslikechicken

Pinky Ruth #24

I was Pinky when my first family abandoned me at the shelter. I was 6 years old. When Maddie began to love me, not long after, they added Ruth to my name. It was in honor of Ruth Bader Ginsberg. It was then, Pinky Ruth was born.

Last night I heard Maddie and Lay-dee watching a Ruth Bader Ginsberg documentary. I was inspired, and reminded of my obligation, to live up to my namesake. I am still trapped at Lay-dee's house because of the snow. But, I am no longer sulking under the bed. I have moved on to embracing my ability to judge-just like my namesake-Supreme Court justice, RBG.

I spent the morning judging the caterwauling noise and actions of the backyard birds. I'm not sure why those birds act so desperate and foolish when there is an entire, full feeder of food right before them. I personally would exhibit a bit more proper decorum, especially when out in public.

I also judged Big Daddy and his haphazard way of clearing the snow and ice from the car in the driveway. I would like to have told him what a more appropriate approach to snow removal would be. However, I was unwilling to leave my warm, inside window perch to notify him. Instead, I let him flounder, unguided, out in the cold.

Lastly, one of Lay-dee's hooligan cats tried to approach me today. I came down hard on him like an angry RBG dissent would. He is gone. I am now lounging in peace.

Signed, Pinky Ruth #NotoriousRBG #NotoriousPR #onemoresnowday

Pinky Ruth #23

When Maddie opened the bedroom door this morning I ran right to Big Daddy who was outside in the hallway. I let him give me some good pets. Then I ran around the upstairs, excited, because I thought I would get to go home today.

But here I am, still stuck at Lay-dee's house. I don't know when I get to go home. I am trapped by the snow. Everything is covered outside-even the road and cars.

I spent a long time downstairs being grumpy, looking out the front window at the snow that never stopped falling. I also looked out the upstairs, back window today. There were so many birds at Lay-dee's bird feeder. I couldn't even count them.

I finally went back to Maddie's room where I threw up on the carpet, in protest of my situation. I am now sulking under the bed and am not sure when I will come out.

Signed, Pinky Ruth #trapped #sendtreats #imissthegrass

Pinky Ruth #22

Today was another good day for me. Everyone slept for quite a long time which made me very happy because that is my favorite thing to do.

But then, there was a lot of noise and commotion downstairs. I heard the family saying, "Thank you! I love it!" Maddie kept saying, "Make sure all of the plastic is cleaned up. Pinky Ruth loves plastic and will try to eat it all."

They are right. Plastic is delicious. I would walk downstairs past those rascal hooligan cats to get a chance to eat some plastic. I'd even settle for a little bit of bubble wrap.

I've been letting Lay-dee pet me and scratch my head. I even started purring once. Of course, she now thinks we have a special bond and brags about it to Big Daddy.

And finally, I spent some time today looking at the falling snow outside of Lay-dee's house. Her yard is now fluffy and white. Maddie tells me it is very pretty. It should be. It looks just like me. Fluffy and white and pretty.

Signed, Pinky Ruth #tasteslikechicken #wherearemypresents #donthatemebecauseimbeautiful

Pinky Ruth #21

I have received a Christmas Eve blessing! Maddie, Big Daddy, Lay-dee, and Loud Nerf Gun Boy left the house for 10 hours. I was blessed with peace and quiet. I spent most of the day burrowed under Maddie's blankets. I was cozy. I was warm. And the door was shut so I knew I was safe from Lay-dee's rascal hooligan cats sneaking up on me.

It was surprisingly quiet when the family arrived home. Lay-dee of course, was busy, but the rest of them were so tired I expected them to start burrowing under their own blankets. I cuddled with Maddie in bed and learned about some wonderful birds the family saw at Ridgefield National Wildlife Refuge. I don't know why they had to travel so far to see birds. I saw 14 crows and a dark-eyed junco in the street today and I didn't even have to leave my window perch.

I enjoyed my quiet day and am hoping for the same kind of day tomorrow. Loud Nerf Gun Boy yelled out tonight that he's not waking up early tomorrow-no matter what. Maybe he and I have more in common than I thought.

Signed, Pinky Ruth #quietisthebestsound #loudnerfgunboyismynewbff #whyisMaddiewrappingthings

Pinky Ruth #20

Yesterday I made a garbage man happy. Today a garbage man made me very unhappy. He woke me up when he came to pick up Lay-dee's garbage before it was even light outside. Aren't there noise laws to prevent this from happening?

Maddie left for an hour today but it seemed like at least a month. So I stood at the top of the stairs and howled for them to come back home to me.

One of Lay-dee's hooligan rascal cats walked past me on the way to his own litterbox. I hissed at him and let him know that was unacceptable behavior.

I decided it was safest for me to hide under Lay-dee's bed. I hunkered down between the wrapping paper box and the dining room table leaves. Just when I was thinking of coming out for a drink of water, the loud Nerf gun boy arrived home from college. And just like last time, he brought a Nerf gun with him. I am not a fan. They are loud and scary. Aren't there "don't upset the Pinky Ruth" laws to prevent this from happening?

I miss my city apartment. It was so much quieter there.

Signed, Pinky Ruth #Idontlovegarbagemen #hooliganscantpoopnearme #quitbeingloud

Pinky Ruth #19

I tried to avoid my capture by hiding under the bed. 5 minutes later I was sitting on Maddie's lap heading south on I-5. Lay-dee kept reaching over from her driver's seat to scratch the top of my head. I think Lay-dee needed to put both hands on the wheel, but she is a really good scratcher so I did not protest.

Lay-dee's car stopped next to a King County Solid Waste Division semi-truck at a stoplight. I stared for a long time at the man driving the truck. He looked down at me in Lay-dee's tiny car. He smiled at me and then started laughing. Maddie saw me staring and looked up at the man in the truck. They said I must have made him happy because he was laughing so hard his shoulders were shaking. Maddie said he probably doesn't see cats as charming as me very often at stoplights.

When we got to Lay-dee and Big Daddy's house the hooligan rascal cats left me alone. I made my rounds upstairs and then sat down next to the toys Maddie brought for me to play with. Lay-dee tried to play with me but did it all the wrong way. She tied my rainbow string to my crinkle butterfly. Then she kept swinging the tied-up butterfly in my face. This is not the way to play with my butterfly. And just because I jumped and leaped all over the room trying to grab it does not mean I was enjoying myself. Well, at least I won't let Lay-dee know that.

Big Daddy finally came to pet me later while I was in the window surveying the neighborhood. He let me sniff his hand and then he tried to pet me. I hissed at him because he should have greeted me the moment I arrived...not 3 hours later.

Lay-dee seems very happy about this development. But Pinky Ruth will NOT be an afterthought. Big Daddy just needed a little reminder as to how a lady should be treated.

Signed, Pinky Ruth #respectthePR #garbagemenloveme #crinklewentaflyin'

Pinky Ruth #18

 I was curled up in this game box when I heard those words. "Lay-dee and Big Daddy blah, blah, blah.....". I swung my head around in shock! It seems, to get right to the point, I am required to muster a fair amount of bravery and tolerance.

Again.

I am told that I am loved by many and I am lucky. I am not so sure I can return the same sentiment. How many traveling holidays, may I ask, are required of loyal companion cats? And is it really a holiday if I have to leave my 5th floor city apartment-walk-in closet-supreme ideal feline fort?

I think not.

As for now, you can count me as a reluctant holiday participant.

Signed, Pinky Ruth #butIjustgotcomfortable #Ineedaunion #herewegoagain

Pinky Ruth #17

 Day 5 of my Thanksgiving captivity: I woke up to glorious news! Maddie informed me that I was being freed. (I'd like to thank Garth Nelson and the "Free Pinky Rooth" grassroots campaign. I'm sure it shortened my sentence by at least a day.) On my last day, I spent some time under Big Daddy's chair. As he played video games he reached down and scratched my head. This gave me the confidence to saunter myself down the stairs to where those rascal, hooligan cats hang out. I proceeded to rub every corner I could find. I wanted to make sure that they would remember the great Pinky Ruth. I wanted my smell to haunt and annoy them for quite some time. Unfortunately, I then had to ride in the car to get back to my 5th-floor city apartment. I made sure to make a fuss the entire trip. When Lay-dee pulled the car in front of my building, however, I was silent. I knew I was finally home. Maddie let me out of my cage and I ran under the bed, just in case Lay-dee wanted to give me goodbye loves. I came out the minute she left and I heard the door shut. I ran over to my water fountain and drank to my heart's content. And then I slept. I climbed in my cat post...and I slept, as a happy and free Pinky Ruth.

Signed, Pinky Ruth #iwillsurvive #justcallmegloriagaynor #homesweethome #itoldyouLaydeewouldnthaveafountain

Pinky Ruth #16

Day 4 of my Thanksgiving captivity: I knew they were downstairs paying attention to those rascal, hooligan cats Lay-dee wants me to be friends with. I used this time to check out the view of the birdfeeders from an upstairs bedroom window, Afterwards, I plopped myself down at the top of the stairs. I meowed to remind them all who the true queen of this Thanksgiving castle is--despite my desire to not be held captive in it. Lay-dee mistakenly thought I called her name. She ran up the stairs and then sat quietly next to me. She talked softly and told me that I was such a good girl. I managed to squeak out a response. Which again, she mistakenly interpreted as my approval of her being next to me. Big Daddy arrived to save me. When I saw him come up the stairs I meowed happy meows. I ran over to him and let him pet me and scratch my head and under my chin. I laid down on the floor and showed him my belly. I even let him rub it a little bit. I let him throw me a toy and I tried to catch it with my giant paw. I love Big Daddy. He makes my captivity tolerable.

Signed, Pinky Ruth #learntospeakcatLaydee #thequeenhasspoken

Pinky Ruth #15

Day 3 of my Thanksgiving captivity: There was a lot of action today. I heard banging and clanging from downstairs. I smelled some good things. And I heard Lay-dee mutter, "Well the breast is done but the rest is definitely not." I knew my safe place was burrowed under the blankets. Lay-dee keeps the house so cold that she has to give Maddie and me old musty blankets to keep us warm. That's me under Bob the Builder's mouth. I slept most of the day away, content to be far from the questionable noises downstairs. But, as usual, Lay-dee has to take things too far. I'd like to report that I was accosted this evening. Lay-dee raised the blanket to take my picture while I was sound asleep. You can see that I am clearly offended. She gave me no time to fix my face and fluff my fur. Yet another reason why she will never be my favorite.

Signed, Pinky Ruth #canwefixit #cantfixLaydee #ismelledbird

Pinky Ruth #14

 It is day 2 of my Thanksgiving captivity and it started out real rough. Big Daddy and Lay-dee's alarm went off at 4:30. Do they not know this is the middle of the night? (Have you seen photos of how pretty I am? Clearly, my beauty sleep is very important to me.) Big Daddy and Lay-dee then made far too much noise and commotion loading their cars in the pitch black darkness of the super early "morning". I jumped up in the window, looked down at them in the driveway, and showed them my angry, "woke up too early face". They just smiled and kept waving and pointing at me. I spent much of my time today burrowed under the covers recovering from this shockingly early wake-up and my car trip jet lag stress from yesterday. I also managed to watch the people across the street cleaning their garage, a few delivery drivers delivering packages, and school kids dragging their backpacks on the ground as they walked home. Sadly, I don't think any of them saw me looking at them. None of them looked up at me and smiled and waved and pointed like Big Daddy and Lay-dee did in the early morning.

Signed, Pinky Ruth #letmesleepuntil9 #lookatmeinthewindow

Pinky Ruth #13

It is Day 1 of my Thanksgiving captivity. Today I was ripped from my home gently and peacefully and forced to ride in the car to Lay-dee's house. Lay-dee grumbled the entire way home about traffic but I liked the slow pace the car went. Maddie let me sit on their lap and said nice things to me the entire trip. I still managed to complain for over an hour. I was fascinated though with how the light changes when we go under overpasses and in tunnels. I also saw what was probably a million dumb crows fly overhead. And I stared for a bit at the Amazon truck driver who was next to us when we were stopped on the road. I am now in Maddie's room and have tried out all of the window perches and closet forts that Lay-dee has made for me. I even saw that she put my favorite stuffed snake under the bed. Last summer, when I stayed at Lay-dee's house, I curled up in my snake almost every day. Lay-dee thinks she can win my love this Thanksgiving by making me comfortable and happy. For now, I sit in judgment of her on a very soft blanket in my new secret closet hideaway. Perhaps, I shall sleep here tonight. Traveling is so exhausting.

Signed, Pinky Ruth #andsoitbegins #agirllovesasoftblanket

Pinky Ruth #12

They told me at the worst time.

I was content. I had found a box lid and was in the middle of a perfectly wonderful, Monday night, Fits and Sits session.

Maddie took one look at me and chuckled. They shook their head back and forth, took a few photos, and then dropped a couple of truth bombs on me.

Maddie said, “Pinky Ruth, you are doing a great job sitting but I’m not sure you are fitting!”

And then they added, slyly I might add, “Next week Pinky Ruth, we are going to visit Lay-dee and Big Daddy for Thanksgiving!”

When I heard these things, I was no longer content.

First of all, I fit in that box lid just fine.

Second of all, I thought I had served my time last summer when Maddie left me with Lay-dee and Big Daddy for 10 days, 14 hours and 43 seconds.

Maddie assured me that this time they would stay with me the entire time and would sleep with me every night. This made me feel only slightly better. I know I’m going to have to encounter those rascals, those hooligan cats that Lay-dee has. I’m going to have to leave my closet fort. And I’m quite sure Lay-dee does not even have a fountain for me to drink out of like Maddie does.

I have a week to plan for my unfortunate, upcoming fate. But there are two things I already know. I intend to loudly voice my disapproval the entire time Maddie forces me to be in that unbearable and confining car ride to Lay-dee's house. And if one of those hooligan cats dares to come near me, I will use my giant paw to Take. Him. Out.

I do wonder about Big Daddy though. I hope he will still give me the nightly pets. I liked those.

Signed, Pinky Ruth #herewegoagain #fearthepaw

Pinky Ruth #11

 Dear Lay-dee,

Thank you for taking care of me (talking in a squeaky voice and feeding me treats and trying to get me to like you) when my mama abandoned me last week.

Yesterday my mama left to go chase a dumb bird. They didn't come home for HOURS and I was worried they left me again and I didn't even have you to put on my judgy face for. When Maddie came back I was sitting right on the edge of the couch facing the door and I meowed a lot to let them know my displeasure. Then I sat in my mama's suitcase so they couldn't leave again.

Tell my snake and Big Daddy that I miss them a little bit (and maybe I miss you too). I don't miss the loud nerf gun boy or those annoying elderly kitty men.

Signed,

Pinky Ruth