Cherokee, Alex, Cassie and the infamous Christmas tree SURVIVED!

     Yes, everyone and everything has survived another Christmas season! We had to purchase a brand new tree for this year because our tree of last year was DEMOLISHED to put it mildlly.
     We sat our kitties down, each on their own chair and had a little heart to heart discussio. They promised they would behave this year and behave they have. I am very proud of my little girls.
     The tree is wounded, but it can be repaired and salvaged for next year. We consider outselves lucky that we will be fortunate enough to retreive another season from this tree.
     Cherokee (our seven year old) was most insistant on climbing up the tree and making herself comfortable for napping. While she was lying all curled up and content as content can be in the tree, I just could not bring myself to wake her up. I waited and waited and when she would begin to stir I could reach in and bring her down. I would not dare turn on the lights until she was safely out of the tree. She is really such a sweetheart!
     Alex (our two year old) just remained fascinated with all the pretty lights.  She would sit herself down in front of the tree and stare at it. 
     I did not understand what she was waiting for at first, but when the lights were turned on I began to understand.  Once the lights were turned on she would run around the tree like a panting dog! Oh boy! Oh boy! All the beautiful lights!
     A few times she managed to take down a ball or two and I could hear her smacking it around the way she does when she is playing with her dry food. I refer to it as "cat hockey" and she just has herself a good old time until she wears herself out.
      Now, with reference to Alex let me backup for just a minute so you will understand why I do what I do for her. Last summer she became very ill and spent the better part of twenty four hours in the local animal hospital for needed surgery.
     When we left the animal hospital we had to make a two hour trip to a veterinarian that I trust very much.  She spent many hours in her travel cage, but was bundled up in her favorite crocheted blanket. I sat in the back of the car, right next to her. This way I could reach into her cage to help her, if help was needed.
     When we finally arrived home she was not ready to sleep and we did not want her to be running around.  We rearranged one of our bedrooms for her to keep her separated from her sister (Cassie) and from Cherokee. This was working out fine while she was sleeping, but when she was awake she wanted constant company.
     Robert (my husband) drove up to the local stores and came back with a sling. Well, whenever she was awake I tied the sling on me, around my neck and left shoulder. I bundled her up in her blanket and placed her very gently in the sling. This was working out wonderfully for her. Now, she would not be alone and she could see everything that was going on.
     This continued for a few weeks until she began to feel and act more like herself.  Now, when she is ready to sleep she whines and follows me around until I pick her up, wrap her in her blanket and hold her until she is in a sound sleep. When she is good and asleep I can lay her down, still wrapped in her blanket on our loveseat. Gee, she isn't spoiled too much, is she?
     She is the smallest of the three and you just cannot help but love her to ribbons!
     Now her sister Cassie (two years old) is the most easy going, docile cat that I have come across in a very long time. She also took it upon herself to test all the ribbons on the presents by tasting and chewing them until they were soaked! I even tried taking all of the presents away and rearranging them up-side-down! Nope, she is very smart and figured out how to get underneath the presents so she could reach the bows and ribbons that she so dearly loves.
     She is the one who sleeps with me at night. I pet her head, rub her ears and rub her belly until she begins purring and "kneading the dough" up-side-down. This is our evening ritual until we both fall alseep.
     However, when Robert is home on the weekends her eyes are all his. She forgets that I am even alive, let alone around. She has taken a liking to Robert and when he is home, she is forever at his side. She is a beautiful friend to love.
     Well, back to my Christmas tree, it survived.  Four of the branches had to be tied  to hold them up, but my kitties and my tree fared well.
     Tonight they are all tired because they had a very busy day. They played with the ribbons and bows and had a chance to play with their new toys. We shared some of our Christmas dinner with them, but not too much. We gave each of them their special treats and all are sleeping.
     Even my two parakeets had a busy day, but that is another story. My two parakeets and my kitties talk and play with each other and it is such a sight to see. Maybe next time I will tell a story about my parakeets.
     Thanks to all for reading and for your support.