3 Days, No Snuggles

The family spent a few days in St. George. So I was on cat duty. 

This was my chance. 

With no beloved Paige in the way, maybe Penny would actually want to snuggle me. 

Day 1 — Business as usual. Penny’s like, “There’s that guy who feeds me. I can’t wait til he goes back inside.” 

Day 2 — Mostly the same. But she lets me pet her a little. Penny’s like, “Where’s my food?” And then she’s like, “Where’s that girl I love? I wish she was here instead of that bald guy. I’ll let him pet me for a sec and then I’ll sleep all day.” 

Day 3 — “WHERE’S THAT GIRL?! This is getting ridiculous. You left me here with this dude? Sure, he feeds and shelters me. Oh, and he used to come out every night FOR WEEKS and let me sit on his lap and protect me from the rain and snow. But sit on his lap now? I don’t think so. “

But as the day went on, she got a little more desperate. She’d rub against my leg. She’d come over for pets.

And then. 

It was about to happen. I was sitting on her favorite spot. She walked toward me. Ready to hop on my lap. (And to remember how much she loves me, of course.)

One step. Two steps. Almost there. Time to reclaim my spot as Penny’s favorite human.

And then.

The backdoor creaked open, revealing a Paige, eager to see Penny after three days apart.

Penny turned toward Paige. In just two bounds and a leap, she was on Paige’s lap.

Paige was happy.

Penny was happy.

I was crestfallen.

I will win you back, Penny. I will win you back.