The McClowder All-Kitty Pipe and Drum Band
at the
Inauguration Parade

3

We Go to the Purrade

The morning of the Inaugural Parade dawned bright and clear and furrrry cold. As all of us band members arrived at our assigned gathering spot, Gretchen Marie called out, "Hey effurrybody!  I heard on thuh news program that ther are 400,000 people in Washington fur thuh Inauguration! Ize g-g-g-g-getting n-n-n-n-ervuss!"

"And they all want to honor Clarence, the first cat to be elected president!" exclaimed Chester.

Thistle joined in. "Yes they do!!! And we are so pleased to have him with us!! And don't worry, Gretchen Marie--stick wif alla us and you won't have to worry."

Suddenly we heard loud CLIP CLOP CLIP CLOP CLIP CLOP sounds. We all looked up. This was scarey! We didn't know what was coming! Suddenly a bunch of giant animals came into view and we all scattered -- behind the monuments and up into the tress. Only Fraidi and Bagheera, former barn cats, didn't run. They waved to the Valley Forge Equestrian Escort and several of the horses whinneyed a hello back to them. Fraidi and Bagheera called us to come back out, and one by one we joined them to say hello to the horses. This did not, however, do much to calm Gretchen Marie's nerves at all!

Then it was time to form up for the parade. "Okay, everyone," called Thistle. "Line up. Get ready. Major, you check the line-up, I'll check the uniforms." Thistle went up and down the rows, straigntening a kilt here, a hat there. "Everyone looks right smart! Now, if we can just sound good too!"

And we were off! Between the Girl Scouts from Trenton and the Boy Scouts from Des Moines, the McClowder All-Kitty Bagpipe Band stepped out, with Major and Biker Coon in the lead; Purrezident Clarence, Skye Silversong the Highland Dancer, and Socks the White House Cat, riding in the wagon pulled by Giuliani and Princess (with Yarrow and Kiri for company).

In the reviewing stands, some of the other kitties were eagerly waiting for the All-Kitty Band. "Loooook, Norry, look!! They're coming!!! Mietze, huddled with Norville, Omar and Neko, three more frosty Florida kitties, nearly hopped clean out of her fuzzy blanket with excitement.

"We see them, we see them!" In another part of the stands, Puddi Cat grabbed an afghan to huddle in. "Isn't this exciting, Punkins?  They're so good, it makes me furrry proud to be a cat!"

Mietze saw her friends, and nudged her companions. "Looook over there, Norry -- it's Punkins an Puddi Cat!!" And then, shurgging off Norville's restraining paw, she began waving and hollering. "HELLOOOOO! ISN"T DA BAND WUNDERFULL?  IT'S REELY REELY COLD HERE, DON'T YOU FINK?  DON'T YOU JUST LOVE MAJOR'S HAT!?!"

Punkins waved madly back. "Hi!  Hi! We see you! They look great, as only we cats can! Major's hat is unusual, we think. HEY Puddi Cat! We're supposed to share that afghan!" And Punkins grabbed the afghan back and waited for the McClowder Band to pass in front.

And there we came.  The McClowder All-Kitty Pipe Band made its debut down Pennsylvania Avenue.  Up in front, the drum majors looked debonair and sleek, Mr. Purresident and his lovely First Ladycat Jaeger looked royal, and Socks the White House Cat looked for a pair of earmuffs.

We marched proudly up the Avenue.  CJ and Zizi dipped the banners as they marched past the reviewing stand. Skye did a few extra twirls and a high highland kick. Major and Biker Coon sent a military salute to the dignitaries in the reviewing stand. The pipes sounded wonderful in the crips air (who would have believed it at that first purractice!). The drums were all in unison. All cats marched the proper way, even wheeling the corners properly. The sun began to set as we approached the reviewing stand, but that didn't dim the light in our eyes.

But up in the stands a tall silver-haired man leaned over and said to the girl beside him, "Chelsea honey, dinna I tell yew ta put dat damn cat in da celler befur we came to thuh parade?? What's he doing with alla does cats?"

When we got to the end of the parade route, Socks jumped out of the wagon, patted both d*ggies on the head and said, "Thanks for the ride! Y'all come on over and parttteeeee!!" Major dismissed the ranks, and we all scrambled to get to the White House lawn and the waiting picnic.  

When we arrived, we found a heated tent, especially equipped with heated purr pads and lotza fun food.  There were carnations on alla tables and Thaddy was told to help himself to any of the centerpieces. Stinky and Shamrock put down their instruments and put on their aprons and chef's toques. Another delicious menu followed:

All-Merickan Menu for Picnic on White House Lawn

As we all enjoyed our well-earned treats, we watched the CNN coverage of the purrade. We especially enjoyed the feathered headdresses on the Native American dancers and the fluttery flags of the drill teams and color guards.

Suddenly Chelsea Clinton appeared.  "Socks," she said, "I thought I locked yew inna cellar. How'd yew git out?" But she wasn't really mad -- how could she be, with such a fine group of kitties to entertain? She started petting and scratching us. Skye did a special dance for her, and then introduces our purresident of Catmerica, Clarence, to her. She was furry impressed. She called the guards and made sure they knew to let us into the White House to use the indoor litterboxes if we needed.

After a couple hours, we were full and happy and thawed out. We all decided to go to our rooms at the Hollerdaze Inn to have a quick nap and freshen up before the Inaugural Ball.