She hasn't mastered the art of the purr yet since she can only purr when
she exhales. It's not a smooth purr yet and sometimes she coughs at the
end like she has a hairball, but she is definately purring.  She must
have been practicing while she was away from home last weekend because
she's been doing it ever since she returned home.  And she's been
sleeping a lot more too. I think she's practicing becoming a cat. I hope
her thumbs don't turn into paws - who would open the cans of food?!
When she comes home from wherever she goes during the daytime she goes
right to bed and I curl up next to her chest and listen to her purr.  It
sounded so soothing the other day that I found my paws kneading the
covers around her.  Barnabus must have enjoyed it too because I noticed
he was kneading her back at the same time.  I'll let you know how her
transformation into a cat progresses.

Yours truly,
Samuel L. Thunderpaws
(Sam)

PS from the hooman:  I think the cats really do think I've learned to
purr. I hope they won't be disappointed when I get over this nasty chest
cold and my breathing gets back to normal.  In the meantime, Sam is
right about my sleeping a lot. I'm just worn out after a day of work.
I'm reading the messages posted here and sending purrs where necessary,
I just don't have much energy right now to post.  And I'll admit, it is
hard to get out of bed when you wake up to cats on either side of you
kneading the congestion away.  Barnabus gives a great backrub but Sam
needs a little instruction on the way to massage a woman's breasts
(claws...ouch!).

Julie