Walter

Well, here I am, having another snow day.  I don't understand why either, but I do enjoy the extra day of being lazy.  I have to admit, living alone can be pretty nice.  I can go wherever, whenever.  I don't have to worry about cleaning anyone else's dishes or messes.  But it gets lonely sometimes too.  Luckily, I have a roommate.  Well...sorta.  I thought I'd tell you a little about him.

This is Walter.  He's my buddy.  I found him in Springfield last year.  He wandered up to my house at school the week I was getting ready to move out.  I found him one night before a big storm.  I couldn't do anything with him at the time because I was going to a friend's house at that exact moment...plus one of my roommates really didn't like cats.  So I left him to fend for himself.  The next day he was back.  This time Mom and Andy saw him too.  They let him in the house and immediately fell in love with him.  And to my complete amazement and bewilderment, Mom not only agreed but suggested that we bring him home with us!  So she and Andy went off to buy him a cat carrier, some food, and a litter box.

He is a very friendly cat.  Any person that comes to my apartment, he sees as a new friend and someone to love on him.  And he does surprisingly well in the car!  He's made 4 6-hour trips to and from Jackson, and we've only had problems once.  Well, since he grew up in the tough ghetto of Springfield, MO (note the sarcasm there) he learned to not like any other type of four-legged creature.  When we got him home, he would hiss and growl at both Gato and Ann (our other cat and dog).  Luckily, my apartment in Jackson is pet-friendly.  So I interited a new roommate!

You're probably wondering why we named him "Walter."  Funny story...I was in the kitchen getting him some water.  Andy asked me what I was doing.  I told him.  "I'm getting a bowl for water."  His response:  "Why did you name him Walter?"  He misheard me.  But we both liked the name.  And now we have Walter.  And like any pet we have, he has multiple nicknames:  The Walz, Wally, Bubby, Stupid Cat,  Walfred...the list goes on and on.

Don't let this lazy ball of fur fool you.  He can be quite the handfull.  He's very feisty and likes to play, but sometimes plays too rough.  We declawed his front paws, but he's got a good little chomper!  His breath stinks, he poops constantly, and he would eat an entire bag of food in a day if I let him.  He doesn't like it when I sleep late and will sit at my bed and cry if I don't get up.  And he sheds like a monkey!  And with his white hair, it is noticeable on everything!  He jumps up on all my counters (which I am correcting by squirting him with a water bottle...very effective).  And he eats anything and everything...the down arrow key on my computer keyboard is completely destroyed.  But as annoying as all of this sounds, I have to admit I love this little furball.  He keeps me company.  It's nice to have someone (something?) to come home to at the end of the day.  And it's really nice when he curls up beside me on the futon so we can take a nap together.

Well, that's about all I have to say about the Walz.  We are gonna enjoy this snow day by falling asleep watching a movie now.   Hope everyone is staying safe and warm!