Recently, my human did buy me a new scratching pole. But it was second-hand. I heard her tell someone that she only paid $4.00 at the Cancer Shop. Personally, I think that it was a waste of money. I spent a few minutes checking it out, but I didn’t recognise those smells. Nope, they weren’t at all familiar to me. At first, I didn’t understand why that scratching pole and all those alien smells were in MY house. I was quite put out, to tell you the truth. She had no right to bring in alien cat smells and then to expect me to be grateful. What am I supposed to do? ...Scratch out someone else’s smells? Who does she think I am? …Little Orphan Annie? I did hear her say that a new scratching pole would cost $35.00. Obviously, I am not all that high on her priority list. Perhaps I am just a second-hand rose. And what will it be next? …Will she make us cut down on food? I hope not!!