Happy Purrthday, Dolce!

It does not seem possible that our little Dolce is not so little anymore.

It was shortly after we adopted her from a local rescue society that I started this blog.


4 years later...

She is still a troublemaker as she runs through the house leaping and jumping on and over anything in her path.

She is still my little girl who still likes to be held and cuddled and told that all her mousies are safely hidden under the couch where she placed them.

Here are her purrthday gifts...


Happy Purrthday, Dolce!

Baci Waits Patiently...

Baci::Logs into the blog:: Nope. Don't see anything. It's like elebenty furrty! ::hangs his head and logs out::

::Time Passes::

Baci::Logs into the blog: What! Still nofing? I fink Dad wents to work and he didn't write nofing in the blog.::hangs his head and logs out::

::Time Passes::

Baci::Logs into the blog::Let's see if Dad has gotten off his butt. Crappity Crap Crap! He's posted nofing! Absolutely nofing! I gives him until my afternoon nap to post somefing very important. If he doesn't, something is going to meet a toothy or poopy death.::hangs his head and logs out::

::Time Passes::

Baci::Logs into the blog::Oh no, he didn`t! There`s nofing on the blog about my Purrthday! My very important 3rd Purrthday! This demands retribution! If I let`s him get away with this, then other peoples might think it`s okay to not post purrthday wishes. This is not acceptable. The question before is do I poop in the shoes and then pee in them or pee then poop. Decisions, decisions, decisions. ::holds his head high as he goes in search of dad`s good leather shoes::

Dolce's Story Chair: Cast Two Stones

Cast Two Stones
A Story of the Angels of the Rainbow Bridge


Phineus and Persphone played amongst the multitude of animals in the vast meadow of the Rainbow Bridge. Kittens fought over bundles of discarded Angel feathers while puppies chased balls of tightly bound meadow grass. As the two Seraphim played and laughed with the all the creatures, they were asked many times by the creatures would now roamed amongst the vast meadow; Why were they there?
Neither Phineus nor Persphone could answer why each creature had found its way to the Rainbow Bridge. The only answer they could give was that because they were loved and the humans that loved them had asked for them to wait until they could be together once again. The creatures accepted this for a time, but as the years grew and the residents began to notice that some animals seemed to remain longer at the Rainbow Bridge than others. Several of the long-term residents asked the Angels, that came to visit and play, why they remained at the bridge longer than others.
"This is what I know,dear friends." Phineus explanied to the throng of puppies, kittens,foals,cats, dogs, horses and an immense swirl of feathered friends. "By love, you are brought here. For love, you wait on this vast meadow. With love, you will cross into Heaven with your beloved friend."
"Do they not know how lonely we are without them?" An ancient ginger cat named Norton asked.
"Do you know how lonely they are without you?" Persephone asked the ginger cat. "Do you know how many times they have looked to their doorway, hoping you will magically appear? Do you know how keenly they listen to every rustle or movement of air, hoping to hear a hint of your passing?"
"I did not know." replied a German Shepherd named Sarge. "We forget that they lost us just as we lost them."
"Beloved friend." Phineus wrapped his arms about Sarge's great neck."It is the blessing of this connection that made the meadow of the Rainbow Bridge possible."
"Be at peace, beloved friends." Persephone said. "Your human friends are always with you. Although you may not hear their prayers for you, we do, and we are truly humbled by the strength of their love."
As the throng of animals slowly dispersed and were distracted by the many wonders of the Rainbow Bridge, Phineus and Persphone were troubled by the doubts that the animals had shared. As Angels, they shared none of these troubling emotions. They knew of two Angels who had shared these human-like feelings, Malachi and Dulcinea; and the results had been heartbreaking for the Angelic host. Phineus and Persephone noticed that two cats had remained behind.
"Oreo" Phineus bowed his head to a older black and white cat that had the the outline of a heart on his forelegs when he sat just right.
"Ubee." Phineus smiled to a fluffy tabby kitten who sat next to Oreo.
"What can we do for you two?" Persephone asked.
"We was loved." Ubee stated as he looked at Oreo and then to the two seraphim.
"What Ubee is trying to say is that we were loved." Oreo reaffirmed.
"We know that beloved ones, that is why you are here." Persephone smiled.
"No, that's not it." Oreo said. "Our humans do not need to be told how much we loved them. At least, I hope not. I would think that a headbutt every night for eleven years would have been a bit of a clue."
"We help tell the next human how much they be loved." Ubee said.
"How will you do that?" Persphone asked.
"We don't know. " Ubee replied. "We finked you help us find out."
"Ubee." Persephone picked up the little tabby kitten. "I don't know but I have a friend who might know how to help."
"Oreo." Phineus held out his arms. "Do you want to help us?"
"Of Course." Oreo replied and he jumped up into Phineus's arms.

The two Seraphim flew far from the Rainbow Bridge with the two cats held tightly in their arms. Phineus with Oreo clutched tightly to his chest had a much easier time than Persephone who struggled with a very squirmy and excited little kitten.

They followed the great swirling creek that flowed under the Rainbow Bridge to its source; the long lost cherubim, Malachi.

The Seraphim landed and placed their companions at the base of the small outcropping of stone where Malachi now sat. Phineus and Persephone froze in their tracks as they beheld the sight of one of their own; trapped in the misery that only humans can create.

Malachi sat on his stone seat and forever wept the tears that human indifference towards God's creatures had caused.

"Malachi." Phineus tentatively approached his long lost brother. "We need your guidance."

Malachi remained motionless and unresponsive on his stone perch.

The four companions stood and stared at the still weeping form of Malachi. The answers that they hoped to find did not seem to be forthcoming. Ubee looked at the his three companions and then at Malachi's still form.

Ubee trotted over to the the stone ledge where Malachi sat. He tried to scale the stone to get to Malachi's side but his tiny little kitten arms could not find any purchase or foothold in the cold hard stone. As Ubee strained to climb up, two stones dislodged from Malachi's prominence and fell to the heavenly firmament at Phineus and Persephone's feet.

"This is what you seek." Malachi suddenly spoke.

Phineus and Persephone each picked up one of the stones.

"Give each new creature at the Rainbow Bridge a piece of stone, and have them cast one into each of the two pools." Malachi said slowly and sadly. "Phineus, my beloved brother. Since you brought Oreo, who bears a lifetime of love and happiness, your stones will be cast into the Pool of Memory. Each creature will now forever add their own strength of memory to its power. Persephone, my beloved sister. Your young charge, Ubee, was taken young, but was loved very fiercely for his tender short life. Your stones shall be cast into the Pool of Loss, where they shall remind all that time is but a fleeting moment to those whose heart is open to God's miracles."

Phineus and Persephone bowed to their brother Malachi, and then picked up Oreo and Ubee and flew them back to the Rainbow Bridge. They did not stop at the Bridge but proceeded well past it until they reached the end of the creek that flowed beneath the Rainbow Bridge. There they found the Pool of Memory and of Loss and the heavenly creature that guided any human who came to partake.

"Malachi sent us." Persephone approached the heavenly being and the two pools of water.
"This is I know to be honest and true of purpose." The creature responded, and then motioned to Persephone. "Give your stone to the little one. He must cast it into the pool."

Persephone handed Ubee her stone. He pushed it to the edge of the pool as best his little paws could muster. The stone tumbled over the edge and fractured the pristine glass-like surface of the pool.Although Ubee's life on Earth had been short and sorrowful, it had been full of love; the kind of love that can bear any amount of loss. The creature tensed as the stone broke the surface of the water. Persephone looked at her hand and saw that her stone was once again held within her palm.

"Give your stone to the one marked by love." The creature asked Phineus. "He must cast it into the pool."

Phineus gave his stone to Oreo who carefully let it slide into the pristine water. Oreo's life had not been short nor had it been excessively long but it had been full of many loving memories nonetheless. The creature smiled at both of the cats.

"Thank you for your gift to humans who might come this way." the creature glowed. "These pools were formed by sacrifice and desolation, but now with your gift they shall be refreshed with love and hope."

The creature looked at Phineus and Persephone.

"Go release your brother from his exile." the creature said. "His love for these creatures has given them the power to help humans without his own suffering. The three of you will now be given the True Purpose of providing two stones to each creature who enters the meadow of the Rainbow Bridge. They will bring their stones here and cast them into the pools. In doing so they will share their own sense of memory and loss with any human who chooses to enter into God's covenant. The pain of loss and the joy of memory the humans feel when they come here in their dreams will be that of every creature who has ever been blessed by them. The humans are no longer the burden of a single heart-broken cherabim. These feelings are now the collective love and sorrow of every creature who calls the Rainbow Bridge their temporary home."
"Did we help? Ubee asked Persephone who wept into his fur.
"Yes, Ubee" Phineus smiled as he placed a kiss on Oreo's forehead . "You and Oreo both helped. More than you may ever realize."

Happy Purrthday, Smudge!

Happy Purrthday, Smudge!

Today, you are elebenty years old. You don't look a day over eight.


Love,

Dolce, Bella, Chloe, Magoo and Baci

Grandma, Mom, and Dad

A Tribute to Lost Furriends

I meant to put up a tribute for one of our first blogging furriends Oreo, but I couldn't find the right words.

Then today I was talking with a friend and found out that he and his family lost their faithful friend, Sarge. My wife and I met Sarge and enjoyed recieving big slobbery kisses from this kindly German Shepard whenever we came to visit. Our friends don't have a blog so I chose to post this tribute to Sarge.

It fit for both Sarge and Oreo.



Godspeed, dear furriends. Godspeed.

What is this?

Baci: Dolce, Looked at what I founded.

Dolce: Baci, You are not supposed to be digging in Dad's stuff.

Baci: I am helping Dad. He said he losted something, so I was trying to help find it.

Dolce: So what did you find.

Baci: It's something called a con tracked. It's got his name on it and everything. I didn't know that Dad was a con. Or that someone was tracking him.

Dolce: Stupid Brother. Dad is not a con and no one was tracking him. It says here that they will pay him some green papers to do some work for them. It has Dad signature but that is not his name.

Bella: You two are so slow. Dad is now self-employed.

Dolce: What does that mean. Self-Employed.

Magoo: It means his boss is an egotistical ass and a self important jerk.

Bella: Magoo, that`s not nice.

Dolce: I don`t get it.

Baci: Me neither.

Magoo: That`s means you at least as smart as Dad`s lone employee. I`m going to visit Grandma. She has my favourite treats.

Dolce: I think Magoo is getting senile.

Baci: Isn`t that a river in Egypt.



Pee Ess: We need to send some purrayers to our furriend, Sarge, a great and noble German Shepard woofie who went peacefully in his sleep to the Rainbow Bridge last week. Let him know that he is missed and still much loved by his beans.

A Special Post

Dad: Sargeant-At-Claws!
Magoo: Yes, Sir!
Dad: Is Everyone Present?
Magoo: Yes, Sir!
Dad: Honour Guard! Attention!
Dolce and Baci:: shuffle nervously :: Attention, Sir!
Dad: M'Ladies, Would you please escort in our honored guest.
Bella and Chloe: As you wish.

Bella and Chloe leave the room. They return, escorting Smudge, one on each side.

Dad: Smudge, Present yourself to your family and kin!

Bella and Chloe lead Smudge until he stands before Dad, and then they solemnly move two paces away.

Dad: Smudge, Do you know why your family and kin have brought you here tonight?

Smudge: No.

Dad: They are here to bear witness and affirm what I as head of this household am about to bestow apon you.

Baci, Dolce, Magoo, Bella and Chloe look at each other and then at Smudge.

Dad: Tonight, You stood at the backdoor and growled for no apparent reason.

Smudge: I might have.

Dad: Good. So you admit the action which is the cause of all this ceremony tonight. Do you know what was discovered apon hearing your growl at the backdoor?

Smudge: I think so, I was growling at it.

Dad: But was it in your yard?

Smudge: No. It was past the fence over near the...

Dad: It was over near the road. Not a real busy road but a dangerous road nonetheless.

Smudge: Yes, You always told us to stay away from the road because it was dangerous.

Dad: Do you know what I saw when I went to investigate what you were growling at?

Smudge: The furry cat that sometimes comes to visit us.

Dad: Yes. The furry cat that comes to visit our yard from time to time. You have done a great and noble thing dear furriend.
:: Dad speaks to the other Cats ::
When I looked to see what was bothering dear Smudge, I saw our dear furry visitor attempting to cross the road at the end of our block. Now our road is not extremely busy but other stupid humans drive too fast and without care and attention to felines and puppies who might be out for an unsupervised stroll. I saw this poor feline soul starting to cross the road. I yelled at the feline. The cat surprisingly turned back and did not cross the road. Now if its home had laid across the road's expanse it would have ran faster across the road. But it did not. It came back to our side of the road. The side of the road where its home must surely be. By your actions, Smudge, I was able to prevent an unknown furriend from doing something that might endanger it own life. To do something for someone or some furriend that you do not even know that is the greatest act of honour and compassion known on this Earth.

As the bean of this household, it is my honour to bestow upon you the rank and privileges of the Holy and Ancient Order of the Catnip. Rise now, Sir Smudge, and accept your honours.

We is looking for sumting

Dolce: Baci, Stop it. I'm looking for sumting.
Baci: What is it?
Dolce: Sumting Dad lost.
Baci: It's not a fuzzy mouse or our gushy foods is it?
Dolce: No. It's sumting called a job. Dad says he losted it. I am pretty sure that i can finds it.
Baci: What does it smell like? Maybe I can helps.
Dolce: It smells like gushy foods, and a warm spring day when things are peaceful. You know... things that make everything okay.
Baci: Do you mean that now that Dad has lost this thing that everything won't be okay?
Dolce: Nope. Our dad is berry conservative. He says our gushy food fund is well stocked.
Baci: Whooofoooo! i was worried. i loves my gushy foods.
Dolce: it means we have to be more carefulls. We won't gets new crunchy mice or nippy toys for a while. So no peeing on on the toys.
Baci: It wasn't me. It was Magoo and Smudge. they has been been peeing on a lot of stuff.
Bella: Baci, maybe if you would not chase everybody the peeing would stop.
Dolce: I losted my favourite box because sumbody peeded in it.
Baci: That's not my fault. I poop in grandma's room.

Dad: Everybody stop it! Yes, my job is gone. We will be okay. no more worrying. We just need to put our heads together and figure out how to make this work for us.

Dolce: But we is worried. We read about all our furriends who has had moneys problems.

Dad: We are not there. We will need to behave ourselves over the next while. But we will be okay.

Dolce: What can we do to help?

Dad: Ask your furriends to purray for us and everyone else in the same situation as us. We are strong, we will survive and we will be better afterwards.

Happy Purrthday Magoo!

Thirteen years ago, an angel came to earth. He did not have wings, but had four huge grey paws instead. He did not have a halo, but had a fluffy little tail instead. We did not know it at the time, but this little angel was made just for us.

The paws are still huge, and the little tail has grown into a long dust mop. He may have changed and grown up into a handsome mancat, but he will always be our little grey angel.


Happy Purrthday, Magoo!

With Love from

Mom, Dad, Grandma, Bella, Dolce, Smudge, Chloe, Dolce and even Baci.

Dolce's Story Chair - Jingles and the Furry Helpers (pt 6)

Dad: Welcome dear furriends to Dolce's Story Chair. It has taken a lot longer to tell this year's story. I hope you all have felt that the wait was worth it. So sit back and enjoy the conclusion of "Jingles and the Furry Helpers"

Jingles and the Furry Helpers
Part 6: Home is the Sweetest Word

Santa’s sleigh appeared on the horizon due south of the North Pole. Two Elfs in the Great Southern Watchtower saw the sleigh’s approach and sounded their bright brass trumpets. A great bell was rung and its announcement tolled joyfully over the town. All of the Elfs of the North Pole danced and cheered and hugged each other for another Christmas Eve successfully over.
Sammy Sleighmaster looked sternly at the Toy Factory clocktower. A winkle crossed his brow and a frown crept to his mouth. Several other Elfs saw this and were taken aback. It was unheard of for an Elf of the North Pole to frown. Whispers and rumours spread like wildfire across the North Pole. Sammy Sleighmaster had frowned. Something had happened to Santa. The Christmas Magic was failing. Global Warming was going to send the North Pole to the bottom of the Arctic Ocean.
Sammy watched as the sleigh came in for its landing. The sleigh was listing ever so slightly to the left. The reindeer seemed to be strained and exhausted more than usual. Sammy noticed that Santa had the same wrinkle on his forehead that Sammy had on his. The trip this year had not gone well. Sammy realized he would have to spend many long nights figuring out what had gone wrong.
The sleigh landed with a slight skreech as metal runners struck the stone cobble. Sammy watched as a wave of relief washed over Santa’s face. Sammy’s worst fears came true as he realized that this years Christmas run had narrowly avoided disaster. He as soon as the sleigh stopped moving, Sammy raced to Santa’s side.
“Welcome back, Santa.” Sammy said as he scanned the sleigh for damage or anything out of place. “I hope things went smoothly.”
“We had some problems.” Santa started to explain.
Tinker, the little black kitten, walked across Santa’s lap and his sister, Myrrh, and stared at Sammy.
“Me fix.” Tinker said defiantly.
“And what did you fix, Little One.” Sammy asked with a tiny smile.
“Me fix.” Tinker repeated.
Jingles came to Tinker’s side and looked down from the sleigh at his good friend, Sammy Sleighmaster.
“We had a problem with the Gum Drop Diode Array..” Jingles replied. ” I tried to fix it but I was too large to reach it. This little guy seemed to know exactly what needed to be done and he saved us.”
“Excuse me.” Santa said as he adjusted the little orange ginger kitten in his lap. “But, if I remember correctly, I am the one in charge here.”
“Sorry, Santa.” Jingles said as he lowered his head. He reached out his paw and he gently pulled Tinker back.
“What happened, Santa?” Sammy Sleighmaster asked.
“It is as Jingles said.” Santa replied as he climbed down from the sleigh. “And as you warned us. The new Gum Drop Drive Array worked its way loose. We almost went for a long cold swim. If it wasn’t for Jingles and this little guy.”
Santa gave Tinker a loving rub on the head.
“Impound the sleigh!” Sammy commanded to several of the Elfs nearby. “Notify Safety and Health that there was a Class One infraction.”
The Elfs around the sleigh started scrambling about. The joyous return of Santa and his sleigh was replaced by the serious aura that surrounded a near catastrophic accident.
“So I understand that you helped save the sleigh.” Sammy regarded the little black kitten.
“Me fix.” The little black kitten now named Tinker responded.
“You know what. “ Sammy replied with a large smile. “That’s what I heard.”
“Me fix.” Tinker said proudly to his two other littermates.
“I think you and I are going to be very good friends.” Sammy said as he gave Tinker a quick loving scratch on his right ear.


Jingles woke in his own bed at Taylor Tailorson’s. He yawned and stretched and tried not to disturb the three other little bodies that were curled up on his puffy red pillow bed. He went towards the kitchen and saw Taylor siting at the table and reading the North Pole Post newspaper.
“They are still writing about you four.” Taylor said.
“Which one of us is an alien this time?” Jingles asked.
“You do realize that the New York Times is a not a real paper?” Taylor said, and then added. “You are still on the front page; Hometown Hero Rescues Three Forgotten Waifs.”
“I can’t believe they are still writing about it a whole month later.” Jingles said sadly as he shook his head. “And they still have it wrong. Tinker saved us not the other way around.”
“Well, He will be rewarded for that today.” Taylor stated. “Do the kittens have any idea?”
“Nope.” Jingles said happily. “I can’t believe what Santa and the Elfs have arranged for us. The kittens will be so surprised.”
“Remember that you have to be at Holly, Holly, Holly and Jolly at nine o’clock sharp to get the kittens’ papers finalized.” Taylor said.
“I know.” Jingles replied as he lapped at his morning cream. “We have to be finished by eleven.”
“Eleven.” Taylor said excitedly. “Eleven precisely.”

“What’s eleven?” A little voice squeaked from the hallway.
Jingles and Taylor turned to see Myrrh sitting sleepily in the middle of the hall leading to Jingles room.
“Eleven is the time when everything changes.” Taylor said as he got up and walked over to the tiny orange ginger kitten. “Now come and have some breakfast. I think Jingles left some cream for you.”
“Did someone say cream?” a little tabby with four white socks asked as she peered into the hallway from Jingles room.
“Yes, Cookie.” Taylor smiled. “There is some cream for you as well.”
“Can you put cookie bits in it again?” Cookie asked as she hopped up onto the stool Jingles had just vacated.
“Yep.” Taylor laughed. “There is some Elfin blood in all of the kittens.”
A small black kitten walked out of Taylor’s sewing room. He was covered in dust and soot.
“It’s all fixed.” Tinker said as he hopped up onto the same stool as Cookie. “The drive pedal screw was loose. It shouldn’t wobble anymore.”
“Well thank you very much, Tinker.” Taylor said as he winked at Jingles.
Jingles looked at Tinker and then at Taylor. Jingles knew that Taylor had loosened the screw himself yesterday and then pretended to complain about it in front of Tinker. Tinker responded quickly with his “Me fix” declaration. Jingles chuckled at Taylor, who had been loosening and detaching things all over his house so that Tinker could fix them.


As the four cats walked down the cobblestone street towards their very important meeting at Holly, Holly, Holly, Holly and Jolly, they were greeted and congratulated by every Elf they met. The three little kittens began to realize that something exciting was happening at the North Pole. They stopped following Jingles in an orderly manner and began to chase and tumble over each other as they walked.
“Everybody is so happy today.” Myrrh noticed.
“I smell freshly baked cookies and cakes.” Cookie mentioned as she sniffed the air.
“I smell fresh paint.” Tinker added. “And freshly cut timber.”
“Well.” Jingles stated as he looked over his shoulder at the three rambunctious kittens. “Today is special. Today you become citizens of the North Pole. Just like I did last year. The Elfs are extremely excited and happy because it happens so very rarily.”
“Oh.” All three kittens replied in unison.

Soon Jingles and the kittens were in the Law offices of Holly, Holly, Holly, Holly and Jolly. An impeccably dressed elf sat across from the cats and carefully arranged the papers on his desk. Jingles was happy to see the senior partner of the firm, Evergreen Holly, Sr. , Esquire again. The patriarch of the North Pole’s only law firm had also been the Elf who handled Jingles’ citizenship.
“It appears that everything is in order.” Evergreen Holly, Sr. Esquire stated as he sat back in his chair and then tucked his thumbs under the lapels of his jacket. “Now we just have to wait for Santa to come and give these youngsters the Oath.”
The kittens looked nervously at each other and then at Jingles and Evergreen.
The door to Evergreen’s office open and Santa was ushered in by a pretty young Elfin lady.
“Jingles.” Evergreen said proudly. “I don’t know if you have met my daughter, Judicious Jolly, Esquire.”
“Congratulations, Judicious.” Jingles said with a respectful nod of his head.
“You may call me Judy.” The young Elf smiled.
“Judy is now in charge of our Immigration and Citizenship department.“ Evergreen boasted. “We had to do something. Nothing like a four-hundred percent increase in business to encourage the younger generation. Now where are my manners. Greetings to you, Santa.”
“And to you, Evergreen.” Santa replied. “good morning to you Jingles, Myrrh, Cookie and Tinker.”
“Good morning, Santa.” The three kittens replied.
‘Good Morning, Santa.” Jingles said as he glanced at the clock on the wall.
Santa, Evergreen and Judy followed Jingles’ glance. The clock read three-quartermarks past ten.
“We better get this ceremony going.” Santa said as he picked up each kitten and placed it on Evergreen’s desk next to the paper that bore their name.
“Now repeat after me…” Santa began the kittens’ citizenship ceremony.

Now it must be said that the Oath of Citizenship of the North Pole is very strong Christmas magic. It cannot be written down anywhere. It resides only in Santa’s memory. Once spoken the words disappear from the oathtaker’s mind and are replaced with the feeling and presence of the magical connection to the North Pole. It gives the oathtaker knowledge of the exact location of the North Pole and a deep understanding of the Christmas Magic. In the wrong hands, much greed and evil could be done. As such, the exact wording and intonations are strictly guarded.

“Now place your pawmark here.” Judy instructed each kitten. She had to help Myrrh who seemed very reluctant to put her clean paw on the inkpad.
“It tastes like peppermint.” Cookie said happily as she licked and groomed her paw feverously.
“I name you, Myrrh. Friend to All, Citizen of the North Pole, Beloved One and Trusted One.” Santa placed a kiss on Myrrh’s forehead, and as he did so a faint blue arc crossed from his lips to her head.
“I name you, Cookie; Friend to All, Citizen of the North Pole, Beloved One and Trusted One.” Santa placed a kiss on Cookie’s forehead. The same faint blue arc crossed from Santa to Cookie.
“I name you, Tinker; Friend to All, Citizen of the North Pole, Beloved One and Trusted One.” As before, Santa placed a kiss on Tinker’s forehead and the blue arc appeared between him and Tinker.
“Welcome you three to the North Pole.” Santa beamed. “You are now citizens, friends and family to all at the North Pole.”

The clocktower at the Toy Factory began to ring out. Eleven chimes of the great bells sounded throughout the North Pole. Santa, Evergreen, Judy and Jingles all looked at each other.
“I have to get going.” Santa said quickly. “All that paperwork is not going to finish itself.”
“We have some contracts to get drafted up as well.” Evergreen and Judy nodded.
“We have taken up enough of you time.” Jingles said as he tried to herd the kittens towards the door.
“We shall see you later.” Evergreen said. “Congratulations and welcome once again to the North Pole.”

Jingles tried to get the kittens to hurry up. Unfortunately, all three were still very excited from their citizenship ceremony. Cookie was not walking properly as she kept trying to lick more of the peppermint ink from her paw. It took a little longer than Jingles had wanted to get the kittens from the third floor offices to the main lobby of the building. As soon as the four cats reached the main floor lobby, the three kittens sensed something big was happening outside the building. Jingles tried to get the kittens to ignore the distractions.
“Let’s go.” Jingles prodded and nudged the kittens. ”We can’t be here all day.”
“There is something happening.” Tinker stated as he regarded the scene outside the main doors with a little cant of his head.
“It looks very important.” Myrrh added.

As Jingles and the three kittens exited the building, the scale of the disturbance was evident. The street outside the building was packed with Elfs all waving banners and ribbons. Jingles felt a warm tingle grow in his stomach. The kittens were stunned into open-mouthed silence.
“Come along.” Jingles lead the kittens towards a tiny gold and red sleigh.
“Hello Jingles.” One of the tiny yearling reindeer turned his head to look at Jingles and the kittens.
“Hello, Blizzard.” Jingles replied. “And Good Morning to you too, Snowdrift.”
“Good Morning, Jingles.” The other yearling reindeer replied. “Are you ready?”
“As ready as I ever will be.” Jingles admitted. “Now everyone hop into the sleigh. We have a bit of a ride ahead of us.”
Jingles was soon peppered with questions from the three kittens, who bounded from one side of the sleigh to the other.
“I think we are ready, Blizzard; Snowdrift.” Jingles tried to calmed the kittens down.
“Nope.” Snowdrift stated. “You have to say it like Santa. Just because we aren’t full fledged reindeer yet doesn’t mean you can skip protocol.”
“We’re not going to be flying.” Blizzard said.
“I am a reindeer and this is a sleigh.” Snowdrift stated emphatically. “Jingles has to do it properly.”
“Jingles.” Blizzard turned his head to look at Jingles. “Please. Just to keep him happy.”
“On Blizzard, On Snowdrift.” Jingles called out with a gentle snap of the reins.
“Thank you.” Snowdrift replied and he began to pull the sleigh forward.

Jingles and the kittens rode the sleigh though the streets of the North Pole. Everywhere they went, throngs of Elfs cheered and waved.

The sleigh made a final turn onto quiet little street. It drove past several houses. From each window, an Elf greeted them. Blizzard and Snowdrift slowed the sleigh down in front of a small little house surrounded by a large catnip garden. At the front door there were two elfs standing patiently, Taylor and Sammy.
“We are here.” Blizzard stated.
“Thank you, Blizzard and Snowdrift.” Jingles said.
“Where are we?” Tinker asked.
“What is this place?” Cookie asked.
“Home.” Myrrh said simply."It is Home."
“Is it a fixer-upper?” Tinker asked hopefully.
“Home.” Cookie sighed. “Home is the sweetest word.”

Kittens, Roomba - Need I say more?

Can't trust the Cats

Sorry that it has been so long since we have posted any pictures. We have been busy with our two new housemates and the chaos that has ensued. Which brings us to the purpose of this post.

Baci is being a jerk. He keeps chasing Chloe and Smudge. There have been couple of fur-flying fights, which has upset Grandma terribly. So we decided that we need to stop encouraging Baci's bad behaviour and at the same time try to increase Smudge and Chloe's comfort in roaming about the house.

So I laid down a new rule...

If Baci attacks either Chloe or Smudge, he has to go for a time out in the bedroom.


It worked for about thirty minutes when his bestest furriend ever, Dolce, decided to spring him from the room. That's right, Dolce figured out how to open the door and let Baci out.

Now what do I do? Outsmarted by my cats again. Maybe I should give in to my wife's desire for a puppy...Hmmm...

Dolce's Story Chair - Jingles and the Furry Helpers (pt 5B)

Jingles and the Furry Helpers
Part 5B: A Hectic Ride home


Santa and Jingles stared at the three little forlorn faces in the cardboard box. Each of the kittens were staring right back at Santa and Jingles. Jingles felt a deep excitement within his chest. He tried to fight it but his very audible purr betrayed his happiness. The loneliness that had plagued him at the North Pole was gone. The sorrow that followed the goodbyes with his mother and his siblings was also gone. Jingles had someone to show the wonders of the North Pole; someone who would understand the fascination and joy that a four inch piece of ribbon could possess, and someone who would understand how sleeping on top of a gurgling radiator was more comfortable than a silk, down-filled bed.
“Well, Jingles.” Santa asked. ”What do we do?”
Jingles propped his paws on the edge of the cardboard box and watched the three kittens intently. He dropped down to seat of the sleigh.
“You have to bond with them, Santa.” Jingles said. “they have to trust you more than anything in the world.”
“One at a time?” Santa asked.
“We are at least forty minutes from the North Pole, so I think you had better try to bond with all three at once.” Jingles advised.
“You don’t see a problem with letting three kittens loose on the sleigh as we cruise miles above the Earth?” Santa sought clarification from Jingles.
“Nope.” Jingles replied quickly, but then rethought his answer. “Why? Do you see a problem?”
“I can see several.” Santa stated.”But if you say I need to bond with these kittens, then I will.”
Santa reached into the cardboard box and scooped out the first kitten. The deep orange ginger kitten with the white strip emblazoned on its forehead started purring the minute it felt Santa’s gentle grasp. It snuggled into his lap and continued to purr contently. It seemed like it was made for Santa’s lap. Santa found a large smile on his face as he rejoiced in the kitten’s sweet loving disposition.
“Does it have a name?” Santa asked.
Jingles looked at the orange ginger kitten purring contently and loudly in Santa’s lap. He sniffed gently at the kitten. The kitten regarded Jingles and then twisted its body onto its back. Jingles sat back on his haunches.
“Her name is Myrrrh.” Jingles said.
“Her?’ Santa was taken aback.
“She is a gift that is fit for the King of Kings.” Jingles replied as he nuzzled the little kitten.
Santa reached into the box and lifted up the white-mitted brown and black tabby. The kitten sniffed at Santa’s beard. It began licking his snowy white beard. Santa pulled the kitten away from his beard but the kitten reached out and pulled his beard towards itself and it continued to lick and groom the lock of hair that it had managed to grasp.
“Santa.” Jingles looked at the kitten and at Santa. “Did you eat all the cookies at the last house?”
“Yes.” Santa answered and then hesitated slightly. “Well, we were a little rushed so I did kind of gobble them down.”
“I thought I smelled gingersnaps.” Jingles saw with a chuckle. “Her name is Cookie. It seems she knows what she likes.”
Santa attempted to place the kitten now called Cookie on the seat of the sleigh but she resisted and she grabbed an even larger tuft of Santa’s beard. Santa gave up trying to dislodge Cookie from her grooming session on his beard. He awkwardly reached over and pulled the last kitten from the box. He set the black kitten down on the seat of the sleigh as the orange kitten sat and purred in his lap and the tabby licked at his cookie crumb dusted beard. The black kitten sat and looked about the sleigh. He looked at Santa and at Jingles. He surveyed the controls of the sleigh. He made no move towards either Jingles or Santa.
Jingles did not know what to do with the strangely aloof little black kitten. After watching the other two kittens bond so quickly with Santa, Jingles fully expected the last kitten to adopt Santa similarly. The black kitten watched the other two kittens. He gave his little legs a stretch and then he sat beside Jingles and adopted the exact same stance on seat of the Sleigh.
“Does it have a name?” Santa asked Jingles.
Jingles sniffed at the kitten, who got perturbed at Jingles prodding.
“He will.” Jingles replied. “But he does seem to know what he wants. He thinks you smell friendly enough but that’s not what he needs. Maybe we can figure out what his name should be once we get home.”
“Home, it is then.” Santa repositioned the tabby kitten onto his shoulder where she could still get access to his beard and then adjusted the contently purring ginger on his lap, before he gave the reins of the sleigh a gentle snap. “Due North we Bear, To Home We Head, Fly Straight Dear Friends, To Loft and Bed.”
The reindeer surged forward on unseen paths and unknown footfalls. Santa sat with two new kittens cozied up on his shoulders and on his lap. Jingles sat with a tiny black shadow that mimicked his precise posture. Jingles looked down at the tiny black kitten.
“What do we call you little one?” Jingles asked.
The kitten looked up at him briefly and then went back to studying everything about him.
Jingles nose wrinkled as a little whiff of gas wafted up from the black kitten.
“You’re quite the little stinker aren’t you?” Santa also grimaced as the kitten’s gas reached even his nose.
Jingles look up at Santa. They both felt a great giddy laugh build within. Santa let it out and he gave both Jingles and the little black kitten a loving head rub.


From the seat of the sleigh, Santa, Jingles and the three kittens could finally see the beginning of the permanent ice sheath that lead to the North Pole. Even the reindeer could sense that the worst part of their yearly trip was over. Soon the sleigh would return to normal weight and inertia and their natural talents would slowly supplant the magical means that were necessary to propel Santa around the world on his unique yearly journey.

The sleigh shuddered suddenly. It dropped almost a hundred feet in altitude in a blink of an eye. Santa’s hands gripped the reins tightly. Even Jingles could sense the panic in the reindeer as the sleigh suddenly took on more weight and inertia than they could magically handle.
“What’s the matter, Santa?” Jingles asked as the kittens instinctively cowered
next to him on the sleigh’s seat.
“I don’t know.” Santa struggled with reins. No matter what he did the sleigh continued to rapidly lose lift. “Sammy warned us about this,remember.”
“The gum drop diodes.” Jingles remembered. “They must have worked themselves loose.”
“Can you check Jingles.” Santa asked as he tried to keep the Reindeer’s path above the horizon.
“I will look, Santa.” Jingles hopped down to the floor of the sleigh and opened the access hatch to the amazing mechanical works of Santa’s sleigh. “But that was added after my trip last year. I don’t know where they are.”
“You have to try Jingles.” Santa replied excitedly. ‘We only need about thirty more minutes to reach the permanent ice pack.”
Jingles worked himself through the access panel. He could see the gum drop array as it vibrated and started to shake itself loose. He tried to squeeze himself closer towards the gum drop drive array, but he was too big. Jingles felt a sharp, jarring thud as his body was slammed against the roof of the mechanical compartment by a sudden loss of altitude of the sleigh.
“Jingles.” Santa cried out. “You better hurry. The reindeer can’t hold this line much longer.”
Jingles suddenly felt the same pangs of weakness and failure that he had felt his first year on Santa’s sleigh. He had one task to complete, it was beyond his ability to finish and now it seemed that not even Santa would be able to help him. The sleigh’s rapid descent sharpened.
Jingles tried to reach the Gum Drop Diode Drive Array. It only needed to be pushed back into place to save the sleigh.

Neither Santa or Jingles noticed a little black kitten follow Jingles into the heart of Santa’s sleigh. The little kitten followed Jingles unheard and unseen. He watched as Jingles tried to reach a small rectangular panel that was bouncing irregularly amongst the other equipment. The little black kitten looked around at all the miraculous gizmos and gadgets that whirled and spun in the heart of Santa’s sleigh. He watched and studied each and every little movement, bob, jump and wiggle of the vast myriad of candy-cane control rods, wreath gyroscopes, and licorice cabling.

Jingles felt the press of a little body against his. He turned his head and saw that the little black kitten had followed him into the belly of Santa’s sleigh.

“Go back, little one.” Jingles demanded. “This is no place for you. Go find Santa!”
The little black looked at Jingle and then at the vibrating Gum Drop Diode Array that was threatening to break loose from its designated spot.
“Me fix.” The little black kitten said defiantly as he wormed his way along Jingles’ side.
“Go back!” Jingles tried to order the little black kitten.
There was another sharp drop of the sleigh and both Jingles and the little black kitten were slammed against the roof of the sleighs’ mechanical space. Jingles let out a gasp as his back hit a supporting strut. The little black kitten had been tossed a couple of feet away. He was dangerously close to one of the wildly cavitating wreath gyroscopes.
“Stinker!” Jingles called out in panic. He had not figured out the little black kitten’s true name yet, so he had resorted to the last thought he had of the little black kitten.
“Jingles!” Santa cried out. “You better get those diodes fixed or we are all going for a very long cold swim!”
Jingles tore his gaze from the still form of the little black kitten to the now madly flopping diode array. He tried to move closer to the diode array but he was still a paw length away. He did not notice that the little black kitten was slowly crawling back towards the Gum Drop Diode Drive Array.

“Me fix!” the little black kitten said defiantly aloud to himself.
The little black kitten crawled past Jingles and reached the loose diode drive array. His small frame allowed him to rear up slightly with the narrow confines of the sleigh’s mechanical space. He drove both of his tiny fur tufted paws down sharply onto the vibrating array.
“Me fix!” the little black kitten cried as he reared up again and then drove his paws down on the array. “Me fix!”
There was a slight shudder as the Gum Drop Diode Drive Array temporarily reconnected. Santa’s sleigh jumped slightly higher into the sky with each and every pounce of the little black kitten onto the diode array.
Jingles saw that the little black kitten’s efforts were working.
“Come on, Stinker!” Jingles cried out, “You can do it!”
“That’s it, s’Tinker.”
“You’ve got it, ‘Tinker.”
“That’s it, Tinker!” Jingles exclaimed, “You did it!”
There was a deep thrum as the Gum Drop Diode Array fully engaged. Suddenly the sleigh jumped upwards and found its original flight path home.
“Thank you, Tinker.” Jingle snuzzled the little black kitten. “You have saved all of us.”

Santa’s sleigh broached the break between the land and the great northern ice sheet as it raced towards the North Pole. Santa gave a great sigh of relief. Even if the flying magic of the sleigh and the reindeer failed, they would now be able to make back to the North Pole. It might take several weeks of traversing the ice and snow fields on the ground to get back home, but they would get home.


To be continued...

Dolce's Story Chair - Jingles and the Furry Helpers (pt 5A)

Jingles and the Furry Helpers
Part 5A: A Hectic Ride home

“On Dasher, On Dancer, On Prancer and Vixen!” Santa called out to his magical reindeer. “On Comet, On Cupid, On Donner and Blitzen!”

Santa’s reindeer strained against the sleigh. There was a most unChristmas-like screech of steel runner on snow-clad asphalt. Slowly, the sleigh picked up speed. Soon it jumped free of the snow lined street and rose into the Christmas Eve sky. The faint redness of the eastern sky warned that Christmas Eve was soon to be replaced with Christmas Day. The sleigh arced high and fast and made a straight and true run for the North Pole. Everyone on the sleigh, from Santa and Jingles to the reindeer, knew that to be caught by the sunlight on Christmas Day would extinguish Santa’s magic forever.
As they raced further northwards, the rising sun grew dimmer and dimmer. Santa gave a small sigh of relief as the fear of being caught by the Christmas Day sun was quickly fading.
“Santa.” Jingles was busy sniffing and checking out the box they had found by the silent humane shelter. “There is a tag here on the box. It’s addressed to both of us.”
“Let me see that.” Santa looked at the cardboard box he had retrieved from the humane shelter.
“To Santa and Jingles.” Santa read the silver and gold inscripted tag. “From Antonius, Dulcinea and Elbereth.”
“Who are they?” Jingles asked as he found his perch looking over Santa’s shoulder.
“Elbereth is the Angel who brought you the scroll.” Santa replied, “I think Dulcinea is the Angel who built the Rainbow Bridge. I do not know who Antonius is. He must be an Angel as well.”
“He brought me to my mom.” Jingles said softly. “He is the Angel that brings all kittens to earth.”
Santa looked at Jingles.
“Shall we open it?” Santa asked.
“I don’t think three important Angels would give us a gift if they did not want us to open it immediately.” Jingles said as he canted his head and regarded the cardboard box.
“Well then, we open it. Now.”Santa said as he pulled the cardboard box open.

There, looking back up at Santa and Jingles, were three kitten faces, one solid black, one a deep orange ginger with a bold emblazoned white stripe on his forehead, and a white-mitted brown and black tabby.

To Be Continued...



Dad: Now, dear furriends, I want to give you all the chance to help out a poor, unimaginative story-teller. I need three names for the kittens that Santa and Jingle found in the cardboard box. They need to be names that you think a cat located at the North Pole would have. Do you think you can help?

Dolce's Story Chair - Jingles and the Furry Helpers (pt 4)

Jingles and the Furry Helpers
Part 4: One Last Gift

Jingles and Santa made their yearly trip around the world. Now that Jingles was no longer hanging out the back of the sleigh or trying to time his jumps through Santa’s fireplace portals, the trip went quicker for both Jingles and Santa. It went so well that Santa let Jingles have several extra minutes with his brother and sister at one house and his mother at another.

“I am so proud of you, Jingles” Amaretti purred as she and Jingles rubbed cheeks.
“I miss you so much.” Jingles purred as he flopped over to let his mother groom and lick his forehead.
“You are far more than any of us could ever hope to be.” Amaretti said. “You bring joy to everyone you touch.”
“There is something else…”Jingles tried to explain to his Mom about the scroll.
“Of course there will be pain and sorrow along with the joy.” Amaretti purred knowingly. “You may be my son, but you now understand how I feel. I bring you, My joy, into the world, knowing that there is pain and sorrow waiting out there for you.”
“Santa says that it becomes easier to bear.” Jingles replied.
“Depends.” Amaretti replied. “I never found it easier. But then I never knew what became of any of my kittens. I know some found their way to the Bridge far too soon. But other than the word you bring of Ruffles and Monkey, I do not know what happen to any of my other offspring.”
“I can find out…” Jingles offered to help.
“No, Jingles.” Amaretti gave Jingles a firm but loving headbutt. “My children have been set upon their Path,just as you have found your own miraculously chosen task. Live your life, Jingles. Live it with every essence of your being. That is how you honor me and the rest of your family.”
“I will.”Jingles bowed his head.
“Jingles.” Amaretti said proudly. “I am so proud of what you have become. I mourned for my little lost kitten, but I see that he has returned as a big brave cat.”
“Thank you, Mom.” Jingle said as a tears pooled in his eyes.
“Jingles. There is one more thing.”Amaretti added as she placed her paw on Jingles’ paw. “I do not want you to mourn when and if you see my name on your scroll. I can sense that you will outlive all of us. You must find the strength to go on and remember that we are always with you.”
“I am always here Jingles.’ Amaretti placed her paw on Jingles chest, next to his heart.”Never forget that.”
Suddenly the magic that surrounded him and Santa revealed a terrible secret to Jingles. In his heart, he knew that this was the last time he was going to ever see his mother again. He did not need the scroll to tell him that.
“I love you, Mom.” Jingles said softly.
“I love you, Jingles.” Amaretti replied with a gentle head rub. “Now go and fulfill your destiny. “
Jingles moved slowly to Santa’s portal through the fireplace. He took one last look at his mother as she sat next to the silent and quiet Christmas Tree. He nodded once to Amaretti and then he disappeared through the portal with Santa.

As they cruised far above North America. Santa looked down at his newest helper. Jingles was no longer prowling back and forth on the seat of the sleigh in anticipation of their next stop.
“Jingles.” Santa asked. “Are you okay?’
“Yes, Santa.” Jingles replied. “My mother just gave me the best gift ever.”
“And what was that?” Santa asked.
“Her love, Santa.” Jingles said sadly.” Her love.”

The sleigh was making a high gee turn above a large city. The sleigh was finally empty and Santa and Jingles sat exhausted on the padded red seats. The reindeer sensed that their yearly mission was over and they began their high speed parabolic flight path back to the North pole.

Jingles felt a stone growing in his stomach. It screamed that he had forgotten something back on Earth. He looked into his bag. There was nothing there, so he had not missed delivering one of his gifts. The pain grew and grew within his tiny body.
“Santa!” Jingles cried out. “There is something wrong. We have missed someone! But there is nothing in my toysack.”
“Jingles.” Santa cried out as he quickly checked his toy bag. “Mine is empty as well. Are you sure.?”
“Santa.” Jingles cried out in pain. “It hurts!”
“Dancer! Dasher!” Santa called out, “Emergency decent! Follow Jingles’ beacon!”
Santa’s sled dropped from the sky as Santa gave control of the sled to Jingles. Whatever was causing his pain guided the sleigh to it’s final position. It crashed through a heavy cloud covering and raced along a strong storm front. The temperature in the sleigh dropped several degrees as ice and frost formed on the sleigh’s runners and hand rails. The reindeer began to strain as the extra earthly weight became too much for them to bear.
“Land” Jingles stated, his voice strained with pain.”We must land now.”
“To the roof, To the Peak.” Santa cried out as he snapped the reins.”Dasher and Dancer, Now must we seek!”
The two lead reindeer snapped the sleigh in a rapid descent. From Jingles’ cry, they now had their landing vector. The sleigh plummeted rapidly. Soon an industrial building came into view and the reindeer aimed the sleigh not to land on the roof as is their custom, but on the snow covered street. Normally Santa forbade any street level landing as it would give evidence to anyone who might believe without faith. The sleigh skidded to a stop in front of a plain brick-faced building. Santa could tell that their arrival was not to deliver any presents for their was no signature of a fireplace or of a Christmas Tree to be seen. He looked over the façade of the building and saw the unlit letters: “Edmonton Humane Society”. He looked down at Jingles.
“We are here for you, Jingles.” Santa said. “Shall we see what awaits for us?”
“I don’t know.” Jingles was nervous. “Now that we are here, the pain has lessened, but I think there is something here for both of us.”
“Standfast.” Santa called to the reindeer pawing anxiously at the snow. “We will be here but a moment.”
“This way, Santa.” Jingles took off across the thick covering of snow.
Santa followed quickly after Jingles. He had not seen this happen in all in his centuries as Santa.

Jingles lead Santa through the thick blanket of snow. He avoided the obvious front door of the building and ran straight to hidden alcove of the building. Jingles meowed angrily and growled as he ran. Santa followed quickly behind.

There, in the protective leeward side of a weathered brick wall , sat a cardboard box that was quickly being buried by drifting snow. Jingles raced up to the box and began pawing and scratching at the sides. From within the box, a small plaintive cry leaked out.
“Santa!” Jingles cried out.”This is why we are here. You have to help me!”
“Jingles!” Santa replied as he picked up the cardboard box and headed back to the sleigh. “I have it, we must get back to the sleigh.”
Jingles fell in behind Santa and used his foot falls to move through the thick snow.

To be continued...

A vivid dream

In the comments of our last post, Grr, Midnight and Cocoa made a very special request. It was not special in what it asked but in the way it asked it.

During the Christmas Holiday, I was working and at the same time trying to progress the story of one of my favorite characters, Jingles. One night I had a dream. Now I am a believer in what some people call Vivid Dreaming. A dream so real and true that you feel you have lived it. I have experienced this several times. Some have been terrible, some have broken my heart.I have always woken to realize that it is up to me to either realize the dream I experienced or to do whatever I could to change the outcome.

I have been married for thirteen wonderful years, so yes, I can change the outcome of one of my vivid dreams.

I had another one during my Christmas holiday that I do not not want to see realized. I dreamt that I came across a book about "Jingles, The Christmas Cat". I saw the details on Amazon and I could see the cover as plain as day. It broke my heart to see something that I thought I had created claimed by someone else.

That was the dream. The reality was that I knew that I wanted to do something more with the stories I told on Dolce's Story Chair. Please dear readers, I want you to understand; I will finish the current story. But it will be longer than any other story for my dream showed me that maybe it has a life beyond these simple electronic pages.

Dolce's Story Chair - Jingles and the Furry Helpers (pt 3)

Dad: Dolce!
Dolce: Yes Dad?
Dad: Are you ready for your friends?
Dolce: Yes. I got the milk, the cookies, and some greens already to go.
Baci: I broughts the fev-ver toys!!
Dolce: Baci, This is a story chair not a play chair!
Baci: No fev-vers?
Dad: Baci, you can bring your fev-vers but you have to wait until after the story to play with them. Okay?
Baci: OKAY!!!!
Dad: Dolce, you can let your friends know that I am ready to start the next part of the story.
Dolce: EVERYBODY!!!DAD IS READY TO START THE STORY!!!
Dad: Dolce, Dolce, Dolce.
Dolce: Dad, Dad, Dad.


Jingles and the Furry Helpers
Part 3: A Christmas Cat’s Work is Never Done

Jingles sat on top of Santa’s desk and stared intently at the tiny gold scroll. Jingles had asked Santa to take out for him as the final deadline for this year’s Christmas production run was quickly approaching. All year, Santa had been gently reminding Jingles that sooner or later he would have to look at the names on the scroll. Jingles had hesitantly agreed but had found one reason after another to avoid actually having to touch the scroll.
Jingles had been using the design and development of the Feathered Ball toy to postpone the reading of the scroll. Santa had accepted that for the months of January, February and March, but in April, Santa had begun pressuring Jingles to update his Lists. Jingles then used the Spring Training of the reindeer as another excuse not to read the scroll and then it was the Summer Machine Maintenance. Now with only a week before Christmas and toy production reaching its final run, Santa had picked Jingles up from the house he shared with Taylor Tailorson and had placed Jingles on his desk with the firm command that he was not to leave the office until he had read the scroll.
Jingles swallowed hard and tenativley reached his paw towards the scroll. He had almost touched it when he quickly pulled his paw back. Jingles sat for a short while and then once again reached out towards the scroll. His paw hovered a hair’s breath over the scroll. As much as Jingles knew he needed to do this, he was afraid of what might happen.
A large bang in the room next to Santa’s office startled Jingles and he accidently placed his paw on the scroll.
The scroll suddenly unraveled and the names of hundred of cats and kittens appeared in gold script on the parchment. Jingles saw each cat and kitten appear in his memories and for each one, he felt the hollowness that the loss of a dear friend brings.
“Bonnie Underfoot, Kelly, Tiki…” Jingles mouthed the names as they flowed across the parchment, “Cloud Chaser, Pixie, Captain Nels LaPurr, Mu Shue Pooh King, Texas, Jerry Lee, Skeeter, Dandelion, Pepper, Pandora…”
The names flowed and flowed over the parchment.
Jingles was so entangled in the river of departed cats and kittens that he did not see Santa standing in the doorway holding a large thickly bound book. The scroll finally finished unraveling. Jingles sat and stared at the scroll. He lovingly placed his paw on the parchment. Santa crossed the room and gave Jingles a reassuring scratch behind his left ear. He was still holding the large book under his left arm.
“I hope I didn’t startle you too bad, Jingles.” Santa apologized. “This book was a little higher than I thought.”
“Thank you, Santa.” Jingles said softly. “I don’t think I could have found the strength to do that on my own.”
“Jingles.” Santa set the book down on the desk and collapsed into his chair. “I had the same problem my first year as Santa. I left my scroll on the desk untouched right up to the last minute. Mrs. Claus actually had to hide it in my boot in order to trick me into touching it. Sammy and the other Elfs in the Loading Dock were very unhappy that they had to unload a lot of presents. See that one there.”
Santa pointed to a small wrapped box on the top shelf of a bookcase. The paper had faded and the bow was no longer full and large.
“That is the first gift they unloaded from the sleigh that Christmas Eve.” Santa said, “It was for a little girl. I almost delivered it, because I was as scared as you were. I keep it to remind me of what I have been chosen to do and that I must bear all of the responsibilities of that chosen task.”
“I think I understand.” Jingles said as he hopped off the desk onto Santa’s lap. “Does it ever get easier?”
“No it doesn’t.” Santa replied as he stroked Jingles’ fur. “But you know what. I think having someone here who understands what the scrolls mean just might make it easier to bear.”
Jingles purred in agreement. Now that he had dealt with the issue of the scroll, Jingles tried to focus on the task at hand, for in one week he would be riding with Santa on his sleigh and delivering toys to all the cats and kittens.

Jingles woke to find his Christmas gear all nicely pressed and laid out in the stool inside his room. It was Christmas Eve and Jingles could sense the excitement that permeated every nook and cranny of the North Pole. Jingles quickly got dressed into his Red Velvet Vest and his White furr trimmed Hat. He went into the kitchen to greet Taylor, but the elf was already gone to work. Jingle saw a note pinned to the tablecloth next to a large steaming bowl of cream and a large plate of catnip cookies.
“Eat Up, Jingles.” Taylor had written. “You will need your strength. We can’t have a repeat of last year. “
Jingles remembered how he had almost failed to deliver the toys. He read the rest of Taylor’s note.”
“P.S. I have put a bag of Catnip Energy cookies in your left pocket. In case you get hungry. If I don’t see you at the Ceremony, have a good trip.”
Jingles patted his left pocket and felt the bag of cookies Taylor had prepared for him.
“Thanks, Taylor.” Jingles said to his friend who had already gone off to work.

Jingles gave his cap a bit of an adjustment and then he started off for the Main Square where Santa’s sleigh stood loaded and ready for its yearly trip around the world. Jingles was happy that this year he would be able to ride up front with Santa instead of having to sneak into the makeshift cubbyhole Sammy Sleighmaster had made for him. Not this year. This year Jingles would climb into the sleigh with Santa and get to watch all the Elf bands and listen to the Elf choirs as the entire population of the North Pole gave Santa his big send off.
As he walked towards the Main Square, Jingles was greeted with a “Merry Christmas” from every Elf he met. Jingles heart swelled with each and every greeting. The hollowness from last week was finally starting to subside.


Soon Jingles was entering into the Main Square of the North Pole. He could see, in the centre of the Square, Santa’s fully loaded sleigh. The eight reindeer were nervously pawing at the cobblestones as they were being hitched into their harnesses Jingles saw Santa talking with Sammy Sleighmaster. Sammy was taking Santa through his Pre-flight checklist.

“Hello, Sammy” Jingles said happily as he hopped up onto the seat of the Sleigh. “Are you ready Santa?”
“Merry Christmas, Jingles” Sammy replied, and then he added with a wink, “I think you will like the view a lot better up there.”
“Hello, Jingles.” Santa smiled, “Yes I am already to go.”
“Now Santa. “Sammy warned, “I want you to keep a close eye on those new Gum Drop Diodes. They were giving us a little bit of grief when they warmed up. I don’t think you should have any problems, but watch them closely once you finish dealing with the houses in the Southern Hemisphere.”
“Will do, Sammy.” Santa replied. “And Sammy…”
“Yes, Santa?” Sammy said.
“Merry Christmas.” Santa smiled and gave out a jolly laugh.
Sammy smilled and laughed right back.
“And a very Merry Christmas to you, Santa.” Sammy nodded to Jingles who eagerly paced on the front seat of the sleigh.

Sammy stepped back from the edge of the sleigh. He waved his hand to an elf nearby who struck a large silver bell. A quiet hush fell over the square. The only sound to be heard was the snuffling and excited breathing of the reindeer. Jingles could feel his heart pound in his chest. As he heard Santa call out to his reindeer, Jingles found himself mouthing their names along with him.

“On Dasher, On Dancer, On Prancer and Vixen!” Santa called out to his magical reindeer. “On Comet, On Cupid, On Donner and Blitzen!”

With the name of his last reindeer echoing across the quiet Main Square, the reindeer began their pull against their harness and slowly the sleigh moved forward. Faster and Faster the sleigh began to move and then suddenly it lifted from the cobblestone pavement and Santa’s sleigh began its rapid rise into the clear crisp Christmas Eve sky. A thunderous cheer erupted from all the elfs as caps and toques were tossed joyously into the air.


To be continued...

Dolce's Story Chair - Jingles and the Furry Helpers (pt 2)

Dolce: Dad, what is happening with the Christmas Story?
Dad: Dolce, you know how busy everyone in the house is. Mom and Grandma and I are trying to get Smudge and Chloe settled in. Not to mention trying to earn green papers so that you and your brofurs and sisfurs have a warm home and food to eat.
Dolce: But I promised my furriends a new story, and you haven't being helping me.
Dad: I'm sorry Dolce. I did get some more written and the rest will follow shortly. We are probably going have to speed it up so that it will be done in time for Christmas.
Dolce: You better finish it or I will do what Max says and poop on your pillow.
Dad: Sounds like someone is bucking to be on the Naughty List.
Dolce: Dad...
Dad: Yes, Dolce?
Dolce: I'm sorry. Please tell me the story.
Dad: You get your story chair already to go and I will start the next part of the story...
Dolce: Thanks, Dad.




Jingles and the Furry Helpers
Part 2: Its Always Preparation

Taylor Tailorson looked down at his pocketwatch. It was already fifteen clockmarks past Last Breakfast Call. He had decided to give Jingles a bit more time to sleep but the young cat was starting to take advantage of the privilege of being the only cat to ride with Santa. To a North Pole Elf, sleeping in and a lazing about was unconscionable and insufferably rude.

Taylor went to the room where Jingles’ wicker bed had been moved from Santa’s office. He took in a deep breath and let it out in a very loud harrumph as he steeped into Jingles’ room. He had expected to see Jingles’ all curled up and sleeping. Instead, the bed was empty. Taylor walked over to the bed and placed his hand on the plush red pillow. It was cool to the touch. Whenever Jingles was, he was not in his bed and he had not been there for several hours. Taylor realized that he had not checked on Jingles when he woke up this morning.

The bells on the front door suddenly rang out.
“Taylor.” Jingles called out. “Are you home?”

Taylor quickly stepped out of Jingles room before he answered.

“I am just down the hall.” Taylor answered.

“Ah.” Jingles smiled as he took his new scarf, a gift from Taylor, and draped it over one of the two small chairs.
“Checking to see if I was up yet?” Jingles chided his friend.
“As a matter fact.” Taylor attempted to fake some indignation, but could not as it went against his Elfin nature. “I was. You have been pretty sleepy and lazy since your big trip with Santa.”
“And you thought I was still sound asleep.” Jingles stated. “Well I wasn’t. Santa said he wanted to meet with me to discuss something very important. So I got up real early and went down to the Toy Production Office to get all of my cat toy plans ready to show him.”
“Up early?” Taylor said somewhat dumfounded. “Preplanning your production orders? Are you sure that there isn’t a little elf blood in you somewhere, Jingles”
“Nope all cat.” Jingles jumped up onto the little wooden stool next to Taylor’s eating table. “By the way, is there any cream left?”
Taylor smiled at how fast Jingles thoughts returned to his stomach.


Jingles left the house after consuming two whole bowls of cream. He was in extremely high spirits. Santa’s request to meet with him made Jingles feel like a real part of the team at the North Pole. As Jingles walked down the candy lane lanterned street, he noticed the different groups of elfs and of the other creatures. There were the Reindeer hanging out at RedNosedBucks. There were the various Elfs going about their daily tasks, the Toymakers were drawing sketches of their newest ideas in the snow, the Lightkeepers were checking every Christmas light on every post and window frame, the Craftsmen were all carrying bundles and satchels of various tools and materials, and Tailors and Seamstresses were hauling bolts of brightly hued fabric to and fro. Jingles took a second glance around the street and then it dawned on him. He was the only cat at the North Pole. There was no one else for him to debate the proper stalking technique for a ball of Indigo No.2 Dyed Yak Yarn or whether the Catnip was better this week or last. Jingles was very happy at the North Pole, but suddenly for the very first time, he suddenly felt lonely.

Jingles marched into Santa’s office and gingerly hopped up on the surface of the desk. He pushed his nose under Santa’s arm and rubbed his cheek against Santa’s hand.
“Well hello, Jingles.” Santa smiled. ”Good to see you here on time.”
“It’s not everyday that you get to have a meeting with Santa.” Jingles purred proudly.
“Jingles.” Santa replied with a slightly raised eyebrow. “You sleep over there next to the iron stove everyday.”
“That’s different.” Jingles politely corrected Santa. “Sleeping is sleeping and meetings are meetings.”
“I think I understand.” Santa said.
“So I am here for our meeting.” Jingles stated. “Not that I won’t be sticking around for a nap, but first the meeting.”
“Ahh. Yes” Santa replied softly as he fingered a tiny gold scroll in his hands.
“If it is about the plans for next year.” Jingles started talking excitedly, “I have a great idea for a toy this year. A feathered ball that flies like a little bird when you throw it. It is filled with catnip of course. Here are the plans and the estimated production runs necessary.”
“This is very good, Jingles.” Santa said approvingly as he looked over Jingles’ plan. “It is very good. But this is not why I asked for this meeting.”
“Okay.” Jingles sat back on his haunches and looked at Santa puzzledly. “What is the meeting for then?”
Santa placed the tiny scroll on the desk and pushed it towards Jingles.
“A very old friend brought this for you.” Santa said. “But before you take it, I want you to understand something.”
“What is it, Santa?” Jingles looked at Santa, then at the scroll and then back to Santa.
“Now that you are my helper, you need to understand where the Lists come from.” Santa explained. “How people and creatures are added to the list, how they move from the Nice List to the Naughty List and back again, and How they are removed from the list.”
“I don’t think I like that last part, Santa.” Jingles replied sensing the sadness in Santa’s voice.
“As each person professes a belief in Christmas and in me, their name is added to the List automatically.” Santa explained. “Creatures by nature are added the moment they take a breath for the first time. From that moment on, whether it be a person or creature, their own actions determine which List their name will be found on.”
“Except for cats.” Jingles interrupted. “I still think there is something wrong with the criteria on the Naughty List.”
Santa chuckled slightly and then continued. “Once on the List, their names are never removed, even if they stop believing in me or in Christmas. This due to the hope of all hopes that they might once again find their belief. But a name can be removed from the Lists if one thing and only one thing happens.”
“What thing is that?” Jingles shuddered. “It sounds terrible.”
“It is not terrible, Jingles.” Santa explained further, “People and creatures not blessed as you and I and all of the elfs and creatures of the North Pole have only a certain amount of time on the Earth. It is part of their nature. They are born. They grow up. They learn. They laugh. They love. And when it is time, they die.”
Jingles sat and thought about what Santa said.
“Will I die?” Jingles asked Santa.
“You and I have been given a gift.” Santa said. “We are allowed live well past the normal lifespan of our kind but it has a price. We will spend that entire life doing things for other people and creatures.”
“So I will live as long as I make toys for all the cats and kittens.” Jingles said somewhat relieved.
“Yes.” Santa smiled. “But we will see other people and creatures that we have loved and who loved us pass away. This scroll is for you. It will update your List and remove all those cats and kittens who have gone to the Rainbow Bridge.”
Jingles reached out his paw to touch the scroll. He was stopped by Santa suddenly placing his hand over top the scroll.
“Jingles.” Santa explained as weariness crept into his voice. “Part of the magic is that it will happen as soon as you touch the scroll. Also you will remember each and every one of the creatures on it. You must be prepared.”
Jingles swallowed hard. Santa removed his hand from the scroll. Jingles looked at the scroll and was somewhat loathe to touch it.
“You do not have to take it now, Jingles” Santa said. “I can hold onto it for a while until you feel you are ready. But you must take it before you finalize your production for next year. For as much pain as it causes us, the pain of a gift arriving unwanted and unbidden for a lost love one is far worse.”
“I understand Santa.” Jingles nodded. “I think I will wait a little while before I take it. If that is okay?”
“That is fine.” Santa smiled at his feline helper. “It will be here on my desk. You can come and take it whenever you are ready. Now let’s take another look at that Feathered Ball of yours. Have you run it past Safety and Play Hazard?”
“Not yet Santa.” Jingles stated. “I wanted to run it past you first. Then I will have the Toy Modellers build a mock up for some…uhh…quality tests.”
“Quality Tests?” Santa asked with a raised eyebrow.
“To make sure it has the right amount of playability.” Jingles said sheepishly. “You know quality.”
Santa nodded back knowingly.

Jingles spent four more hours working with Santa. It was more like fifteen minutes of work and then Jingles retired to a large red high backed chair for a three hour and forty-five minute nap. As he slept, a feeling of loneliness hung over Jingles and a twinge of worry. Jingles wondered whose names were on the scroll and who would not need a Christmas gift this year.



To be continued...

Dolce's Story Chair - Jingles and the Furry Helpers (pt 1)

Dad: Well it is already December. There is a fine dusting of snow here in the Great White North. That means it is time for...
Dolce: Dad! Dad! Dad!
Dad: Yes, Dolce?
Dolce: Are you going to tell my furriends that you are getting ready to start this year's Christmas Story?
Dad: I was just about to...
Baci: Dad! Dad! Dad! Oh. Crappity Crap Crap! Dolce is already here. I supposed she asked about the story already.
Dad: As I was just about to to tell her and all of her friends, I am getting ready to start this year's Christmas story. I decided to start it a little earlier and to spread it out a little longer so that I have some time to polish the story as I go along.
Dolce: Hooray! Another story!
Dad: But you two have to be nice. I want you both to make sure you make room for Smudge and Chloe at the chair. This means no being a jerk to Chloe, Baci.
Baci (sheepishly looks at floor): Okay.
Dad: Let's get the pillows all fluffed and the Catnip Cookies set out and the Hot Catmilk warmed. Baci, you need to make sure there are treats for all your furriends.
Baci: Got it.
Dad: Everyone looks ready. So here is the the first part of the story, Jingles and the Furry Helpers. It begins a week after Jingles' last ride with Santa...

Jingles and the Furry Helpers
Part 1: A New Year Dawns

Next to a wrought-iron stove with a gently crackling fire burning within stood a wicker cat bed with a thick plush red pillow. On top of the plush red pillow in the wicker cat bed, there was a fluffy young cat, with brown fur and dark chocolate points and pure white paws, sound asleep.

The cat was sleeping off the exhaustion that followed his whirlwind trip around the world. He had barely stirred for over a week, only waking to eat, drink and to answer nature’s call. Across the room, at an ancient oak desk, a grey bearded man was also slumped over in sleep. It was a draw as to which creature, man or cat, who was snoring louder than the other.

The room suddenly grew brighter and brighter. The grey bearded man at the desk stirred and slowly rubbed the sleep and weariness from his eyes. He straightened himself in his chair and conscientiously smoothed some of the wrinkled from his red velvet suit. The grey bearded man looked up and regarded the two white winged creatures that now stood before him.

“Hello.” Santa said slowly as he stretched and yawned.
“We are sorry to interrupt your rest, Trusted One.” One of the Angels stated softly.
“That’s okay.” Santa stretched some more. ”It’s about time for me to get up and moving again. Can’t sleep here all day. Too much to do.”
“We bring you tidings, Trusted One.” The Angel replied.
“I have told you to call me Santa.” Santa smiled. “After all these centuries, you can use my chosen name.”
“Trusted One, I mean Santa.” The Angel returned Santa’s smile. “I bring you the scroll of those who have Returned.”
Santa’s smile disappeared and a slight frown creased his normally jovial face. He held out his hand and he took the tightly wrapped scroll. He flinched as the scroll touched his hand. He did not need to read it for he knew each and everyone of the humans listed upon its parchment surface.
“Thank You, I will update the Lists.” Santa said sadly as he placed the scroll on his oak desk.
The Angel slowly and reverently nodded its head.
“My sister, Elbereth, has another list for you.” The Angel motioned for his fellow Angel to move forward.
“Hello, Trusted One. Santa.” Elbereth bowed her angelic head in deference to the position the grey haired gentleman held amongst the Angelic Host. “Given your new helper, I also have a scroll for you. More accurately for him.”
Santa looked over at the cat currently sleeping on its back with all four paws up in the air as it enjoyed the warmth from the stove.
“I should have expected this.” Santa said. “I will give it to him when he wakes.”
Elbereth sensed the sorrow that started to creep over Santa, She took his head gently in her hands.
“Trusted One. Let not your heart be sad; for all upon this list were Beloved. They now rest and play in a great Meadow and wait for those who loved them.” She placed a kiss on his forehead. A bluish spark traced from her lips to his head. ”Feel the gift that the humans have given to these creatures. Feel the love and the hope that can never pass from the Earth.”
Santa smiled as he suddenly felt the warm rush of the bond that Elbereth carried and nurtured between humans and their furriends.
“Thank you for this gift, Elbereth.” Santa smiled as he wiped a tear from his cheek.
“You will carry this gift until it is time to pass it to your helper.” Elbereth crossed the room and placed her hand on the sleeping cat and she smiled. “I will not come for him until you say it is time. He is now both a Beloved and a Trusted One. I also give to you as a Trusted One the ability grant this gift to any Beloved One as you see fit. Once this Gift is given, they shall be tied to you for as long as you live.”
“I am humbled, Elbereth.” Santa said solemnly.
“No, dear Santa.” Elbereth bowed her head towards the ancient human in the red velvet suit. “It is I who is humbled to be in the presence of such a powerful and noble True Purpose.”

The room became as bright as a midsummer day and then the two angels were gone. Santa sat quietly and solemnly in his chair. He looked at the scroll that laid on his desk and the tinier one that laid in the palm of his hand. He looked over at the wrought-iron stove with a gently crackling fire burning within where a wicker cat bed with a thick plush red pillow stood. On top of the plush red pillow in the wicker cat bed, there was a fluffy young cat, with brown fur with dark chocolate points and pure white paws, sound asleep.


To be continued...

Reunion

Smudge and Chloe have now been here for two whole days, and I wanted to give all our furriends out there an update as to how everyone is doing.


Day One:

Smudge and Chloe were confined to the new room downstairs. They both preferred to hide under covers on the side of the bed or under the improvised tent I made with their blanket and a footstool.

Chloe did not let out a single peep, but Smudge was a bitt hissy and growly. Because Grandma hurt her arm two days before she was due to move in, my wife and I insisted that she sleep upstairs in our room instead of amongst the confusion and mess that still surrounds her new room.

So Smudge and Chloe had to share the room with my wife and me. Smudge treated us to a low growl almost all night; especially if one of us stirred or moved.

Day Two:

SMudge actually seemed to remember me. He rubbed up against me and did not try to run and hide whenever I entered the room. I think it helped that Grandma came downstairs and spent most of the day with Chloe and him. I think it reassured them both that they had not been abandoned in a strange weird place.

Day Three:

Smudge and Chloe got to spend the night with Grandma upstairs. Magoo, Bella, Dolce and Baci were banned from the room for the night. It really helped Smudge as he seemed to come even more out of his shell. I arranged a bit of a meet and greet for the cats. Chloe was surprisingly the first one to come out of the room and do a little bit of exploring. Bella was pretty interested in her and followed her around fairly closely.

Baci was of course a jerk and he was the first one to start caterwaulling and hissing at Chloe.


All things considered, it has gone relatively well. There have been no messy confrontations and we are slowly letting each household get to know one another.

Well, I have to go. The basement will not paint itself you know. I will keep you apprised on how things are working out in our newly expanded household. I hope to be able to get a picture of all six cats together.


Pee Ess: Because of all this, I will have to renege on my promise for two stories for Dolce's Story Chair. You can still look forwards to another of Jingle's adventures but the other story will have to be shelved. Don't tell Dolce though, she might get very angry with me and she might mistakenly blame Smudge and Chloe for me having to break my promise to her.