Cheryl and I have been considering adopting a second pet to keep Cimbi company. We have been concerned that, being a very active and playful cat, she is lonely during the day.

The brick-being-dropped-on-our-heads evidence supporting our concern happened this weekend. Cheryl and I shut all of the windows and turned on the radio, something we usually do before leaving, and then sat quietly on the couch for a moment. We were not leaving, but rather taking a moment to vegetate after a long bike ride. Cimbi must not have known that we were still in the apartment, and began a deep, sad howling like nothing Cheryl and I had heard before. Once we called to her, she immediately stopped and came bouncing over.

Now Cheryl and I feel awful every morning when we leave.

Before adopting another pet though, we would like to see how Cimbi would react to having a friend with her all day. She has wanted to play with pit bulls she saw in the park, came over with a curious expression when Romeo the boxer puppy stopped by, and had a good time sniffing Bonnie, a chihuahua neighbor. Although all of Cimbi's meetings with other animals were good, they were short visits.

So, being the season for vacations and out of town weddings, Cheryl and I are making this offer: if you have a well behaved dog or cat who you would like someone to watch instead of boarding them while away, Cheryl and I are up for hosting. Of course, we would want an initial visit to make sure the two small animals get along, and hunting dogs like Honey are out of the question. Nonetheless, this is a great way to avoid sending your companion to the kennel.

If you are interested, drop us a line at:

Joyce's Offer

Joyce, the Hunt columnist for the Times real estate section, is offering a homemade cat toy to the writer of the best poem on the subject of moving. Beat poets take note, Joyce is insisting that the poem must rhyme and scan.

Cheryl and I want to let all cat owners out there know that of all the toys Cimbi has in her toy box, since being given one of Joyce's homemade toys, she has ignored all of the others. We assure you, any time spent on a poem for submission is time well invested.

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