Funny thing that happened when I went to pick her up.  We pulled out the cat carrier (an adorable leather carrier with nice mesh), we opened it up and sat it in one of the chairs in the living room.  Well, within five minutes Phyllis had already climbed into the carrier and had setup shop!  She was likely in there for at least 10 minutes before she decided she was bored with that.  Anyway, I thought it was so cute and SUCH a good sign.  Nice that she’s not scared of the carrier.

Well, we made the one hour drive north from Tacoma to Shoreline, poor Phyllis whining most of the way.  But we arrived at the condo, I sat the carrier down on my bed, opened up the end of the carrier, layed out her favorite bath robe/bed (my old bathrobe was her favorite bed in Tacoma)… and she stayed in the carrier.  She stayed in there for at least an hour!  Didn’t want to come out.  NOT interested.     Finally I did gentle pull her out of the carrier to show her where her litter box is and her food/water dishes.  She wasn’t very interested in those either.  So, I just left her locked in my bedroom for a while so she wasn’t completely overwhelmed with exploration.

Here’s a picture of her hold-up in the kitty transport (taken with my BlackBerry):

Phyillis Hold-up in Kitty Transport

Next funny thing is, because I post all my updates so often on Facebook (http://www.facebook.com/LegalAdmin) some of my friends love to leave comments.  Well, one friend (facebook friends, we’ve never met, he lives in Ontario) went above and beyond and wrote this ADORABLE letter with instructions on how I should read it to Phyllis in my best attempt at a “kitty voice” whiles reading it (I have since requested that he actually record himself reading the letter in HIS kitty voice so I can post on here, I’ll keep you updated!)

Hi Richard – Please pass this on to Phyllis, I can’t find her facebook… Please read it in a funny kitty voice for her.
B

Dear Phyllis,

How is your new home? I know it’s very hard moving into a new place, a new home and finding new things to do, leaving all your friends behind and moving into a new place, but I just wanted to tell you to keep your chin up. I wanted to let you know, from an outside perspective that you shouldn’t feel abandoned and that whatever happened with your Daddies isn’t your fault. Richard is very, very excited to have you in his house, and really missed having you around – he talked about you all the time while you were gone, and couldn’t wait for you to move back in with him. You really help him out, and make his house a home. You have a big job ahead of you, keeping purring, keeping the house dustbunny and treat-free, and making sure you are always acting supercute, but I am confident in your abilities, and I know you will be a big girl and persevere. Make sure you tell your Daddy how you are feeling, talk about what’s going on and how he can help your transition go better, make sure he gives you lots of attention, playtime and treats and enough tummy scratches… I promise it will help you out a lot. Remember that no matter how bad you feel, nothing helps like a laser pointer, sunbeam or cardboard box to snuggle in. Also, don’t forget to pose with your best face for all the pictures I’m sure daddy will take of you. Try not to go too crazy with all the pictures he takes… He’s just showing you how much he loves you.

Love,
Bri

Thank you Brian.  You’re so sweet for sharing your sentiments and advice with Phyllis.  She appreciates your support and love. 

Anyway, Evelyn left on Thursday morning and I showed up after work at her house, put out food for the kitties… but no kitties to be found.  I got there around 7, went to bed at 11 and neither of them came out during that entire time.

Well, at about 1:30 in the morning I was in bed and had my elbow slightly dangling off the side of the bed and felt a little furry tap on my elbow!  It scared me!  Then I looked over to see little Virgil squatting down in his attack position.  He waited for just a moment and the BOLTED out the door and back down to the cellar!

About an hour later, I woke up just to see if Virgil had returned and as I scanned the room his little head popped up at the end of the bed.  He was sitting up on his hind legs in his “Prairy Dog” pose (or Murcat, whichever you prefer to call it).  He was SOOO cute!  And once again, BOLTS out the door.

So, again I’m off to work on Friday, then come home around 9 (after swimming).  No kitties for the first hour, then Leo made an appearance.  Sitting completely across the room from me, watching for me to make ANY sudden or suspicious movements, you know, like a good Guard Kitty.  No sign of Virgil.  Went to bed again around 11 or so and NO visit from Virgil that evening. 

Saturday went by, I was out running errands most of the day, when I got home Leo came out and DID finally approach me and did let me pet him but I sort of had to chase him a little.  I was running from me, he was purring, but wasn’t sure he wanted to be TOO close to me, he shouldn’t REALLY trust me.  No sign of Virgil.  Went to bed again around 11 or so and NO visit from Virgil that evening. 

So, Sunday, I wake up around 9am.  Make some coffee, get a visit from… Leo.  Plunk myself on the couch in front of my laptop and start doing my internet thing.  WELL, WELL, WELL, Virgil wanders into the room and plops himself down completely across the room.  Needless to say, he’s a very timid little guy (not so little really at 12 lbs).

Here’s proof of the sighting!

Virgil - Brother to Renatta & Rosalie

We accidentally locked him in my bedroom yesterday and when I went in he was trapped behind the blinds of the window and was just there tapping on the blinds trying to get his attention.