Cats Continue to Rule

When your dog chews the furniture, you can send it to obedience school. If you want to train your horse to be in shows, you send it to a trainer. With the possible exception of old dogs, pretty much every animal can be taught new tricks. You just have to know how to teach them. This brings us to the meeting held by the dogs after the match today. "How can we teach these cats to lose?" Ideas were proposed from every shadow of the alley. There was even a suggestion to provide them with catnip, gourmet food and parties every night. Lori was promptly removed from the alley. "There is more than one way to skin a cat" promised James. "Trouble is that won't help beat them. We would just have a lot of naked cats running all over the place". Mike thought this idea might still have merit and volunteered to head a committee to study it further. The problem was never resolved and I understand the dogs are offering a considerable reward for anyone who can solve the problem. The recent domination by the cats has the dogs worried. A challenge was put out at the end of the year when it was announced the dogs had won the annual bragging rights. They are tired of waiting for the Chinese zodiac to catch up to reality. The cats have served notice that this is the year of the CAT.

Today's battle saw the dogs and cats tied at the end of the first round. Round two ended with the dogs ahead 17 to 15. There was no stopping the stampede when the cats cracked the whip in the third round. Win after win for the cats put them ahead to stay. The dogs closed at the end but to no avail. The cats had secured the win 33-31. There were growls of revenge and better days to come, but the cats linked arms and strolled from the alley laughing as they went. I'm no fortune teller but I can sure predict some great battles for the coming year.

Next week Iain is on deck as the alley host followed the next week by Paul. When it comes time for a thank you, these two go right to the top of my list. Anyone else who would like to take a turn, please drop me a line at [email protected]

Don't forget Saturday is Pob's birthday. Orla is bringing the cake and PomPom is bringing some wine. Don't forget to bring along a nice gift for him and remember he isn't as young as he was last year. Gifts that require too much energy may not be appropriate. As this is a surprise party, be sure you don't let the cat out of the bag or we will dog you for it.

Seen on the fire escape: Suz, Hbear, Rebekkha, Novelty, Momscottie, Softfire, Ccwaxman, AshvilleNCBridgeNut, Fancy, Mrsd, Avid, Artboyer, Cave_Draco, Northwoods, Vmjlee

Welcome newcomers: Hudder; Fido; Fetchman; Limey_Stone; Bamabelle; Rsquirell; Veep_Veep; Largepill; Rubadubpug; Diablotka.

Supersubs were: Macmarine, Kenebaby, Borderline

Slams were bid and made by: Blackmajickiwikat/Smilodonkiwi - 6C & 6S; Rzzjohn(sub-Largepill)/Producer - 6H & 6H; Gazettedaily/Lanaday - 6D & 6S; Limey_stone/Bamabelle - 6NT; Jean/Arzcxy - 6NT & 6D; Dixie_deez/CE_dean - 6H; Glossit/Suegloss - 6NT.

The trophy for purrrrfect 3-0 tournament goes to:

The dogs were: Linda/Feldenpuppy; Cooper/Hudder; Obie/Tabloid; Papabud/Megin; Fido/Fetchman; Limey_stone/Bamabelle; Jean/Arzcxy; Pob/Rebos; Dixie_deez/CE_dean; Seaweed/Rsquirell; Catherine/Joelf; JamesGreywolf/Juan_notrump; Glossit/Suegloss; Veep_veep/Puppyvw; Woo7NT/Harrietcocker; I8cats4dinner/Ryderpuppy

The cats were: Patdean(sub-Macmarine)/Moyan; Blackmajickiwikat/Smilodonkiwi; Pom2/Tis; Little_ladybug/Silverwind; Harlequin_smiles/Roo; Lacatsmeow/Pomfretd; Rzzjohn(sub-Largepill)/Producer; Lynh/Alan_Mitchell; Roblyn/Melkor_Vala; Jin/Galeb; Paula_am/The_Holyguy; Bert_kitty/Ernietomcat; Rueful_rabbit/Orla; Gazettedaily/Lanaday; Rubadubpug/Sera (Kenebaby/Borderline); Dittny(Diablotka)(Softfire)/Poppeye