This day began with cat vomit on the Christmas tree skirt and a bleeding nipple compliments of Eleanor “The Shark” Muthler.

The only hope of saving it would be a lot of chocolate cake and an all-expenses-paid shopping trip, neither of which appears to be in my future.

Eleanor is starting to take a lot more interest in her toys, so we often have random things scattered about the house. We recently left a stuffed Winnie-the-Pooh in the middle of the family room.

Winston spotted the bear while doing his usual prowling about the house. He sunk three inches lower and froze. What was that? Hmm, not very big but suspiciously furry. He began to slowly inch closer. I could almost hear him grumbling. First that idiotic dog. Then the shrieking mini-human. What have they brought home now?

He reached the bear and gave it a tentative sniff. No idea what it was, but no matter. He thrust his tail back into the air, turned up his nose and walked away. His status as the most superior mammal in the house remained intact.