Cat Ritual: Wake-up time

Buck: Mommy, here's my paw. I heard the alarm. Mommy, here's my paw, touching your nose. Please get up. We know it's time to get up because the alarm went off. Mommy, you should get up. We're hungry. In case you didn't feel it, here's my paw on your nose again. See it? My paw! Isn't it a great paw? It can pat you on the nose! Don't you want to get up? We're hungry. Get up. Let's play "Pat the Mommy": pat, pat, pat mommy on the nose. Mom, we're hungry.


Cat Ritual: Feeding time

Both: We're dancing, we're dancing. Mom, see us dancing?

Buck: I'm at the bowl. Meow, meow. I'm in front of the bowl. You might not be able to get your hand around me, because I'm at the bowl. If I'm at the bowl, I will get fed. Can't get at the bowl? What? See me, mom?

Molly (from back of couch): There seems to always be enough left for me, so I'm just going to stay here. Mom, you are funny.

Buck: I'm done. I need to wash, now. (plinks paws in the water bowl, then goes to the glass door and places his paws against the glass, standing on his back legs. Works his front paws up and down until they squeak against the glass.)


Cat Ritual: Bath time

(Elsa gets into the bath. Buck comes into the bathroom.)

Buck: Hi, mom. Thanks for filling up the tub for me.
(splashes paw in water, licks paw.
Splashes paw in water, licks paw.
Splashes paw in water, licks paw, etc.

Licks water from Elsa's arm or leg.
Splashes paw in water, licks paw.
Splashes paw in water, licks paw.
Leaves. Rubs paws on glass as above.)


Cat Ritual: TV watching

(Elsa sits on couch, legs outstretched, ankles crossed, feet up on the coffee table.)

Buck: Hi, mom, I'm gonna come sit on your lap. Right here, stretched out all long and slinky in the groove of your legs. What, your back hurts? I'm not on your back.

Molly: I'm just going to sit up here on the back of the couch. I hate it when the lap moves or disappears. This is so much less hassle.


Cat Ritual: Bedtime

(Elsa is under the covers, just about asleep.)

Buck: I'm up here on the dresser, plinking around, mom. Look at me.

Elsa: (claps) Get down!

Buck: (funny squeal) But I like it here, and I want to stay . . .

Elsa: (claps) Get down . . .

Buck: (squeals, jumps to bed)

Elsa: Thank you. Good boy.

Buck: I want to lie down next to you. Right here. Right against your body. Right under your hand that's holding the book. Let me rub my face on the book. Oh, look, here's the edge of the blanket, and where there's an edge, there's an under. I wonder if I can go under? (goes under) Oh, nice! Very warm in here! I can just make this my bed (proceeds to knead at Elsa's belly or leg with both paws). There, that's better. I could stay here all night. (Leaves when Elsa moves).