Strike one!

It was bound to happen.

Miko, is the longest member of our family unit (Alan, notwithstanding...)

Miko is a large, black, fat cat that came to live with Heather and me about 10 years ago. He immediately took over our small apartment. He would sit perched on the back of the sofa waiting for his next victim. One time you could walk past him and scratch him on the head. The next time, if the mood struck him, he might swipe you with one of his bear claws. Kind of funny the first, second, even third time... especially if it wasn't you that he got.

Over time, he has mellowed. OK, I may have spanked that little trick out of him. As he has gotten older, he has gotten grouchier. Meows constantly. Is VERY picky about food. Can't be bothered to drink out of a standing bowl of water!!! Oh, no! We had to purchase the $50 fountain style bowl for this cat. (Everyone at Campbell's house is a tiny bit spoiled.)

So, before Campbell arrived last year, I had a lengthy family meeting with all the pets. I laid down the law: There are three of you (Miko, Lucy (cat), and Elvis (Basset). That means you get 3 chances- total. Not three a piece. You need to work together! Any of you screw up and it counts against you all. Could be peeing on the floor, could be sleeping in Campbell's bed, could be waking her up- you get the idea. 3 strikes and you are all moving OUTSIDE. Permanently.
Lucy, quickly decided the pressure was too much to take and ran away from home. Very sad. He was a cool cat! The other two decided to give it a go.

Fast forward 16 months...
Dum dum dum dum....

Campbell is sitting on the floor playing by herself with her xylophone. Miko saunters over and lays down at her feet. She starts to pet him gently. And then out of the blue, he took a swipe at her! Campbell must have cat-like reflexes because he only got her on the hand.

I chased his fat, yet surprisingly fast, ass around the house for about 90 seconds. Snatched him from under my bed. Spanked him, scolded him and then through him out. Could be for good.
Even poor Elvis was only invited in for long enough to eat.

My house would be so much cleaner without all the shedding. Maybe I meant to say One Strike and you're out.