Clemmie has discovered that our china cabinet has inertial doors on the lower section, that is to say, the doors simply stay closed by themselves, no latches. I don't know why it took her five years to notice this piece of furniture; it was in the dining room when she joined our family and it is still in the dining room (albeit a different room, because we live in a different house, but we've been here three years and you'd think she'd have done something sooner or not at all, wouldn't you?)

Anyway, she's taken to opening one of the doors (just neatly hooks a paw behind the edge and pulls) and slipping inside the cupboard. She had an easy time of it at first as I had several of the usual contents out, in use for a birthday party. When I put everything back in it was a tighter fit for her, and she had to scold me several times before I moved things to ease her entry. She generally goes in there, allowing the door to swing closed behind her, stays for several minutes, then just strolls back out.

Do you suppose that electrical cord I've always assumed was for the light is really an antenna, and she has a special communications hook-up to the Mother Ship in there?

Copyright © Linda St.Laurence
September 24, 2001

Read Linda's story: Why Am I Surprised?