Hi there everyone!  This is a different article.  But, since I feel like I know you now, and trust you, I think I can be honest and perhaps ask your input and help.  

    I think I have a problem.  Not sure.  But, maybe you can help me.  I have an email, so if you would like to send me an opinion of what you think is happening, I would be glad to receive them.  Even if I figure this out, hearing from you might be comforting...if you so desire.  A Human.  A cat who can write.  Anyone.

    There are boxes all over the house.  All over.  Mama keeps putting things in boxes.  Our fine china.  Her winter clothes.  MY toys...!!  My bell balls.  I am watching closely.  My nose is right on the job.  I jump in every box as she puts stuff and she keeps taking me out.  I sniff everything.  Check it out.

    She wraps things in newspapers.  I have watched her read the paper for my whole life.  I never saw her rip it up and wrap things.  This makes no sense!

    She gets up every morning and starts this crazy wrapping.  After her coffee.  We used to go sit on the porch and read the paper.  Now?  She wraps.  And wraps.  As I said, even some of my toys went in a box!  Those I don’t use a lot.  At least my toys are going in a box and not in the trash!

    Hmmmm.  What do you guys think she is doing?  Is this a normal thing for Humans to do?  Get up and start putting all their belongings in boxes?  Have you ever done this?  What does this mean?

    Whatever it is - it is scaring me.  I am having a hard time sleeping.  I get up each morning wondering what is going to happen today.  This is not good.

     Well.  I was also watching her do something else that is strange.  Remember the last article?  Where she was on the floor and could not get up?  The reason for that I overheard her say - is that she had to make sure everything was spotless when anyone inspected it.  Who is going to come into our home and inspect the baseboards?  Have you guys ever heard of this?  Something about a return deposit.  What is a returned deposit?  I don’t know what a return deposit is.  I am so confused.  And, frankly, a bit traumatized.  Cats get traumatized, you know.  At the least little bit of change.

    I tried to listen to mama to see what was happening.  But, all the terms she uses, I am not familiar with.  She talks about ACCESS.  A new ‘transportation’ system.  What is wrong with the bus?  She has always taken the bus.  I hate change.  And VANS to the grocery store!  And, something called 'Bingo.'  An exercise room.  All sorts of phrases I have not heard before.  

      I have my ear to the floor listening to every conversation she has on the phone.  I sit on the desk and peek at her emails to see who she is writing.  I follow her everywhere - sometimes hiding behind doors and under chairs to listen covertly.  That is a good word, isn't it?  Covertly.  Means secretly...as I am sure you all know.  And, I have to be "secret squirrel."  Which reminds me.  What is going to happen to Reggie?  My little squirrel friend? 

    And, she also bought me a harness!  It is really pretty...red - covers my whole fat body like a little sweater.  I heard her tell the people on the phone she needed an extra large.  Humiliating!  I could not get out of that harness for anything!  But, why would I need a harness?  I hear her telling her friends she is going to "take me out onto the atrium while she drinks coffee and reads the paper and take me for walks."  Wonder what an 'atrium' is?  It sounds exciting, doesn't it?  But, scary.  I used to go for walks with her in a harness in Louisiana.  Here I just sit on the porch and don't run away.  I am good.

    I was suspicious when they got Little Missy! We didn't need another cat here.  By the way, Boo Boo hates Little Missy and hides under the bed (what else is new)? from her.  Little Missy bullies Boo Boo and she is tiny.  He is big and it is SO embarrassing to watch him cringe from that little brat.  I play with her - or chase her if she hisses.  This is MY house!

    Back to mama.   I also heard her say the word “move.”  She says this word a lot.  Now.  I don’t know what that means.  I know what the WORD means.  But, what does it mean in reference to us?  Moving means to go from one place to another.  Like from my bed to my condo.  Or, from my bedroom to the living room to watch TV and quilt with mama.  That’s what “move” means.  I am not stupid.

    Now.  She explains to me in a sweet, sweet voice.  “Callie”, she says, “Sweetheart, we are “moving.”  That WORD again!  “And”, she continues, “there is nothing for you to be afraid of.  Mama would never, ever  leave you.  You are going with me and we are going to a new apartment together.  We will be very happy there.” 

    That sounds ok.   And, I trust my mama.  But have any of you ever done this?  Taken ALL your things and gone from one house to another?  And, why do Humans do this?  Why don’t you just stay where you are?  I don’t understand.  

        She takes my face in her hands when she explains this.  And kisses me a lot.  And hugs me.  Like something is wrong.  Or, maybe she is just trying to make me feel ok about it. Well?  I don’t feel ok about it!  I don’t want to ‘move.‘  I like my home.  Humans are so strange.  No offense.  At least I know she is taking my little condo with us cause it is on top of all the boxes.  You know...my little cat house that I sleep in.  

    I just wonder if any of you ‘move’ and if you do?  Are you nervous about it?  Does it traumatize you?  Do you like to ‘move’ or do you hate it?  Or, don’t you care?

    Boy, oh boy, I tell you!  I am hanging on to my mama.  I am not letting her out of my sight!  Any of you who would like to send me an email and tell me what you think about this ‘moving’ - maybe a cat who can write?  Or a Human who knows about this stuff?  Or Zoe, that cat who wrote me once.  Did you ever ‘move’, Zoe?  
    I am scared.

ADDITION TO THIS ARTICLE BY PATRICIA, CALLIE'S MOM
Yes, we are moving.  To Carnegie, PA.  To a darling little Independent Living Apartment Complex where older people live...COMPLETELY independent...where Callie and I will be on our own as opposed to living with Boo Boo, the new cat, Little Missy, and my daughter.  We have wanted our own apartment for a long time, and now we have it.  Callie is nervous, but I am going to make this move as painless for her as possible.

Signed:  Patricia, 
Callie's Mom