I got home tonight about 10 minutes ago, and as usual, Smudge greeted
me on the sidewalk in front of my building. But as soon as I started to
head up the stairs, Smudge stopped and craned her neck, as if peering
into the stairwell, or trying to hear something. So I asked her what
was up, and she just stood there, peering cautiously. I wondered if
someone was hiding in the stairwell. We've had a number of robberies-
at-gunpoint in our area lately, in stores, and also of people on the
street, in front of their houses, etc. So I walked around to the side
where I could see up into the stairwell. And sure enough, a guy was up
there, standing in front of my front door!

So I said, "Hello? Can I help you?" He replied, "Pizza." Oh, it was
the pizza guy! He was early! He wasn't supposed to show up for another
half-hour at least. Oops.

But anyway, isn't Smudge a good little warning system? I could tell
she was concerned about going up the stairs for some reason. And good
on me for paying attentiong!

So I paid for the pizza, and now I'm waiting for my company to arrive
so we can eat. Meanwhile, I'm putting stuff away, feeding the cats,
rinsing out a few dishes, etc. Then I look over at the front door. There's
a short cat scratching post with a platform which is right next to the
door, and I'd left the pizza box on it.

And guess where Roxy was? Sitting on top of it! How do you like that,
Stinky? :)

Joyce