Win: Abandoned yet again

Frank and I have been less than amused. The human entity has been sparse around here these last two weeks, as certain people headed to some place called Europe, leaving us in the care of other family members who engage in what my brother and I call "drive-by feedings."

Sure these humans love us, and they gave us a pet or a chuck under the chin when they stop by. But due to their own busy lives, they must skedaddle out promptly after filling the food bowls, which leaves us looking at the closed door in bemusement. We’ve spent more than a few forlorn hours gazing out the front windows, waiting for the return of our caregivers.

Last night, the house was filled with noise and the hustle and bustle of many humans, toting in those strange-looking cat carriers without airholes ("suitcases," we told?), bags of foodstuffs of complete disinterest to felines (I heard enough rapturous comments about "European chocolates and baked goods" to last several lifetimes), human trinkets and baubles, and so forth.

They have returned.

Frank and I, having scoured the Internet during their absence, had built up some expectations about this trip and what we might be offered as homage upon the return of the wandering humans: a bit of weinerschnitzel from Austria? A dab of rare Danube salmon? Perhaps a supply of catnip harvested from the sunny slopes of a 13^th Century monastery?

No.

She brought us a small stuffed bear in a red sweater, cooing, “Oh, look, boys, it’s Trudi Bear from Vienna!” (We find it amusing, but somewhat pathetic, when humans make fools of themselves.)

Frank and I exchanged knowing looks and a silent pledge: That blooming bear will be earless by tomorrow, and a mere shadow of his stuffed self by week’s end.

Denial

Or perhaps not…

Buddies?