Carolyn Holm

Cher Madame,
The moronic cur wants to horn in on our games.
Regards, M. Le Poufin

Dear Puffin,
Let’s not start with the name-calling. But you’re right, Poppy does get excited when you cats start playing.
Love, Carolyn

Cher Madame,
The barking. The lunging. The interference. C’est très annoying. 
Regards, M. Le Poufin

Dear Puffin,
I know. It can put the kibosh on your playtime.
Love, Carolyn

Cher Madame,
Kibosh? Comment? What is this kibosh? This is a thing that is canine?
Regards, M. Le Poufin

Dear Puffin,
It’s just an expression. It means she puts a stop to everything. That’s why when it’s evening playtime for you boys, I give her a treat and leave her in the bedroom. 
Love, Carolyn

Cher Madame,
C’est very kind of Madame. The evening playtime with Madame is much anticipated. As long as Madame chooses the correct toy. With the correct prey.
Regards, M. Le Poufin

Dear Puffin
I don’t know why you don’t like the wand with the feathers. Winston loves it. But you refuse to play with it, and just sit there complaining. I’ve never heard a cat meow so much when it isn’t dinner time. You sound very cranky.
Love, Carolyn

Cher Madame,
C’est simple. The feather prey is not the proper prey. It is inferior to the little animal on the other wand.
Regards, M. LePoufin

Dear Puffin,
That one is fun, isn’t it! And I have to say, you have become quite the athlete since Winston came along and gave you some competition!
Love, Carolyn

Cher Madame,
The Winston is a kitten, Madame. He has nothing to do with the athletic ability that you admire.
Regards, M. Le Poufin

Dear Puffin,
Regardless, you are magnificent the way you stand on your hind toes and swipe at the prey. You even leap into the air! I didn’t know you could do that. You really go after that catfish.
Love, Carolyn

Cher Madame,
Why is this prey called the fish of a cat? Is it a cat or a fish? It makes no sense.
Regards, M. Le Poufin

Dear Puffin,
Catfish are fish with whiskers, so apparently someone thought they looked like cats.
Love, Carolyn

Cher Madame,
And how does a fish fly? There is no realism in this game.
Regards, M. Le Poufin

Dear Puffin,
Okay, catfish don’t generally fly. But this one can. I can send it flying around the room as prey for a pair of excited cats. 
Love, Carolyn

Cher Madame,
This prey, I can catch it every time.
Regards, M. Le Poufin

Dear Puffin,
You do! And then each time you catch it, you walk away with it clamped in your teeth. Looking very determined. Giving me the side-eye while I follow behind attached with the pole. It’s hilarious. You look like you are searching for just the right place to hunker down and eat that thing.
Love, Carolyn

Cher Madame,
This is what we do with prey.
Regards, M. Le Poufin

Dear Puffin,
You know it’s not real, right?
Love, Carolyn

Cher Madame,
Mais oui, of course this petit cat understands the pretending. Humans are not the only animals who do le pretend play.
Regards, M. Le Poufin

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