Update on Chloe

Chloe, aka Little Bits, is doing fine. She is almost fat since she eats at home and then hits the neighborhood kitty buffet. She still likes to go out but, after a few run-ins with Crow, E's cat, we have to keep her in sometimes. E and I have an arrangement: she calls my number and lets it ring 2 times. That is the signal that she is letting Crow out and I have to prevent Chloe from going out or go find her if she is already out.

She (Chloe) and Bingo have developed a curious relationship. She lets Bingo sniff her, usually. I have even seen them stand nose to nose in some kind of silent communion. When she comes in from outside, she always hesitates at the door, scrunches down and looks to see if Bingo is there. Then, depending on how badly she wants in (rain is a big motivator), she will either change her mind and walk away or she will streak in as fast as she can. Bingo, for his part, tries to whomp her with his paw. A strange game of tag. She and Bingo share the single bed in the computer room during the day and compete for the best spot for looking out the window.

Our next door neighbor puppy, Cosmo, wants desperately to be her friend. We're watching to see what happens. She sets her own relationship boundaries.

We think she is responsible for the horrendous odor in the basement. There is a litter box down there but we think that Chloe goes in a corner when she is pissed off with us. I wonder if that is how that colloquialism came about.

With cooler weather coming, it will be interesting to see who sleeps where. I think Chloe sleeps in the basement now. In the winter, she liked to sleep next to the space heater. Puddin' sleeps next to me and skooches over into the warm spot when I get up to get a drink of water or whatever. Bingo sleeps either on the couch or on the floor next to my bed or on the bed in the computer room.

Sometimes when J is over we all sit in the living room together. It is quite charming and comfortable. All my critters like to be around people but not necessarily on people. We have a companionable living relationship and Chloe fits in just fine.