The extended cold snap has had Bucky inside for the past week. And he
has been putting it to good use.

Little Boy, who is the youngest of our cats, at two years old or so,
wants to play chase. Dulce Mae (about 4) and Little Feet (about 8) and
occasionally old-man Buster (maybe 10 or 11) end up getting chased
through the apartment. Usually against their wills. And much to Little
Boy's irritation, they usually don't chase back.

Well Bucky is only about a year old, and of a size with Little Boy.
When Little boy chases him, he chases back. I have often seen the two
of them, gripped in each others paws, rolling down the hallway, only
to be cuddling together a few minutes later.

This morning was a hoot.

Little Boy chased Bucky into the bathroom. Bucky barricaded himself
into the cabinet under the sink. Not to be denied his prey, Litle Boy
starts pawing at the side of the door, trying to get to Bucky. Buck is
holding onto the bottom of the cabinet door, for dear life. It looks
like Little Boy is trying to open a spring-loaded door.

Finally, Bucky lets go, and Little boy actually rolls backward. Bucky
leaps over Little boy, and the chase is on. There is a face-off in the
hallway, and it is apparent that Little Boy is the agressor. Bucky is
sitting up, staring back, and trying to figure out what to do.

Of course, I had to throw in my two cents: "Go ahead, Bucky, show him
you won't put up with that crap."

Bucky's ears roll around while I tell him this, then they turn forward
and flatten back. Bucky launches himself at Little Boy, and throws him
on his side. A couple of swift slaps to Little Boy's head and ribs,
and he's off again.

I lose track for awhile, as they continue to thunder back and forth
through the apartment (using up excess energy! Yay!). Finally, they
are facing off in the hallway again, by the kitchen doorway. Little
Boy pulls a jujitsu move on Bucky - he wraps a paw around Bucky's neck
and throws him about a foot, into the rubber trashcan. Flawless
Victory for Little Boy. Bucky decides to just roll over and submit.

Holy cow - by the time the warm weather returns, and Bucky goes back
out, he and Little Boy will be inseparable playmates!

Hugs and Purrs,
Mark