Carolyn's Critters

Dear Elsa,
I can’t believe it’s already 2026. Time to make some resolutions!
Love, Carolyn

Dear Mum,
Do cats do that? 
Love, Elsa

Dear Elsa,
Good point. Probably not.
Love, Carolyn

Dear Mum,
But I’d consider it.
Love, Elsa

Dear Elsa,
I like your adventurous spirit. It’s the perfect opening for what I was just going to suggest!
Love, Carolyn

Dear Mum,
I’m not sure I like the sound of that.
Love, Elsa

Dear Elsa,
Do you realize that none of my friends have ever seen you? I’m glad you love the bedroom, that it’s your safe room and that you feel secure under the bed, but I’m thinking it’s time for you to come out of hiding.
Love, Carolyn

Dear Mum,
I do come out of hiding!
Love, Elsa

Dear Elsa,
I’m not talking about the midnight kind of coming out, wildly running around with Charlie, while Winston is asleep with me. I mean the kind of coming out like showing up in the kitchen while I’m making dinner. Snoozing on my lap while I read in front of the fireplace. Sitting in the dining room window with Charlie, watching the birds in the holly tree. And yes, strolling through the room when I have a visitor. That kind of coming out.
Love, Carolyn

Dear Mum,
Instead of the Midnight Run? The Midnight Run with Charlie is REALLY FUN.
Love, Elsa

Dear Elsa,
Not instead of it. I’m sure that really is loads of fun. At the expense of a lamp getting knocked over now and then. But I’d love to have you come out of the bedroom to join the rest of us! Become a real part of the household.
Love, Carolyn

Dear Mum,
I prefer waiting until Winston is asleep. 
Love, Elsa

Dear Elsa,
I understand. But you might be ready to stand up to Winston. Here’s the plan! Just don’t run the moment you see him! Last night you were sleeping near me while I was reading, and Winston jumped up to my lap. You froze, and since you didn’t turn and run, he didn’t notice you were there, and just curled up and went to sleep.
Love, Carolyn

Dear Mum,
He probably thought I was Charlie. 
Love, Elsa

Dear Elsa,
You have a point there. His vision is so terrible that the two of you may be interchangeable gray tweed. The point is, if you run, he knows it’s you, and he gets really excited by the running. So he takes off after you every time.
Love, Carolyn

Dear Mum,
He doesn’t chase Charlie. Unless Charlie starts it by poking him.
Love, Elsa

Dear Elsa,
Exactly! Because Charlie doesn’t turn and run! If Winston comes at him and Charlie doesn’t feel like playing, he just sits there and rolls his eyes. 
Love, Carolyn

Dear Mum,
But I love being in the bedroom. I’m not ready to stand my ground.
Love, Elsa

Dear Elsa,
I’m not sure about that! I hear you growling at Winston when he goes under the bed after you. It’s impressive! And after a few of your baritone growls, Winston comes right back out from under the bed!
Love, Carolyn

Dear Mum,
I don’t want to stop doing the Midnight Run with Charlie.
Love, Elsa

Dear Elsa,
No worries! You can do that and still have a “Coming Out” New Year’s Resolution!
Love, Carolyn

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