Treepusher Loc: Kingston, Massachusetts

Madame P has long proclaimed that no one could ever replace Chopper, her Peruvian Piranha Dog, as numero uno in her affections. They've practically been joined at the hip for years.

But let's examine the facts-- Chopper's getting on. His youthful good looks have faded, and we don't see him in her arms as much as we used to, do we? Madame P was even spotted at last Saturday night's big hamster fight without him, claimed he wasn't feeling well. Uh-huh. I saw him at dinner, he looked and acted perfectly fine, ate like a horse. Not feeling well? Hah!

And while a certain little someone is presented with a new toy almost daily, when's the last time poor Chopper had a new collar and leash? Or anything more than a cursory pat on the head? Answer me that!

Not to mention there's a peculiar daydreamy kind of smile on the lady's face with a certain little someone in her lap when she thinks no one is watching. And that same lady flushes and acts all embarrassed when I happen to catch her singing to that certain little someone. I can't remember the last time I heard her singing to Chopper...

No question, there's something going on. But is this just a casual fling, or something more serious?

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phlash46 Loc: Westchester County, New York

Poor Chopper! Good one!

jaymatt Loc: Alexandria, Indiana

Apparently poor, aging Chopper is being replaced--not good for Chopper!

Treepusher Loc: Kingston, Massachusetts

Poor Chopper indeed! Tossed aside for a new love, thrown out like leftover Chinese food. Oh, the humiliation...

LOL!

Thanks, phlash46. Glad you enjoyed our 'painted' shot, and thanks for the positive comments and visit, always much appreciated!

Largobob

Love your stories....and your images!

Flyerace Loc: Mt Pleasant, WI

I'm so sad for Chopper. Madame P is showing a side I never thought I would see. She has become a true heartless witch. I'm crying.

bigwolf40 Loc: Effort, Pa.

I think in her heart that Chopper is still her first love and right now she feels that this little cat needs her and being a good person she opened her heart and let the cat in which a good animal lover would do. I believe her heart is big enough to except more then just one animal and you knowing her and pass things you said about her you know I'm right. She seems like a very loving person towards animals and the right people....Rich

DragonsLady Loc: Los Alamos, NM

Kittens and puppies frequently have that effect on people, witches, too, as seen in the photos of Madame P and Dexter (or whatever his name is today.) Most witches are not immune to the cute factor, plus kittens don't have that doggy smell that puppies seem to develop early. Be sure, though, that Madame P still loves Chopper. It's just that Dexter has cast his spell on her and has his claws firmly in her heart.

Treepusher Loc: Kingston, Massachusetts

Moral of the story--don't get old, they'll dump you for a newer model, lol! Thanks, John. I do exaggerate a bit here, as Chopper is still the apple of her eye and undoubtedly always will be. But she does appear to love this kitten a bit more than is called for.

Thanks for stopping by and the smile, always very much appreciated!

Treepusher Loc: Kingston, Massachusetts

Thanks, Largobob. Just my way of having fun here, glad you enjoy them. Figure I'm probably facing dementia down the line somewhere, why wait to get started on it, lol!

Thanks for the very kind words and your visit, it's most appreciated!

Treepusher Loc: Kingston, Massachusetts

Thanks, Flyerace, lol. Don't be too hard on her. As a wicked witch, her heart is a shriveled lump of cold lead. Except for the small part that's still filled with life and love. I think she's trying unconsciously to protect that small part, as Chopper is getting quite old and frail, and she's not going to deal well with his eventual passing. If that tiny fraction of a human heart is crushed and destroyed by his loss, well, the Madame P we know and love will be gone. So I suspect she's trying to transfer a bit of her love for him into this new creature, so that she might carry on without being totally destroyed. At least, that's what I figure is going on, and I can't blame her. So don't throw a bucket of water on her quite yet, lol.

Thanks for the insightful comments and your visit, always much appreciated. And Chopper's still going strong and is much adored, so not to worry...

Treepusher Loc: Kingston, Massachusetts

Thanks, Rich, and you're quite right. Chopper is firmly ensconced as number one, but she does love this little kitten, doing her part in caring for him. She's stepped up and actually taking time from her Dark Lady duties to help me care for him. As astronaut/custodian, part of my job description is to open the cat food cans for the residents of the Ministry (along with doing litter boxes and floors) but Madame P has split the duty with me (except for the floors, lol) and is doing all she can to help. So I give her a big gold star.

I know Chopper is--and always will be--her first love, but she's allowed this little guy to get to her, and I find her holding him at every opportunity, lol.

Thanks for your faith in her and the visit, always very much appreciated!

Treepusher Loc: Kingston, Massachusetts

Thanks, DragonsLady. You're exactly right. Nothing and no one could ever replace Chopper, but she's already invested part of her heart with this little guy. Chopper is getting old, won't be with us that much longer, and I'm hopeful that having this kitten to love will help cushion the eventual blow of Chopper's loss, as our dear cold-hearted Dark Lady is going to be a mess. We'll pray that day is still far off.

Thanks for the insights and your visit, always very much appreciated!

carlysue Loc: Columbus

OHHHhhhhh. Poor Chopper!!! I feel his pain, I've known that desolation. A cuter, blonder, tinier sister came along just a year after I was born! Kicked out of the crib! Then a few years later, The True Love proved not to be so True! I may have been the first, but not the last. Your dejection is felt, Little Chopper. There is always someone younger, cuter, prettier....
Time for the Ministry to get off the (sand) box and figure out how to put this usurper in his place!

Treepusher Loc: Kingston, Massachusetts

Thanks, Carla. I've been there myself. The Martian once suggested to the Kitty Council board that the Ministry should hire a younger, stronger and better-looking mopper to replace their 'aging' astronaut/custodian. He had some loser named Sven with him at the board meeting. Tall, blond, bulging muscles under a T-shirt that barely contained them. You know the type. Looking good, with an I.Q. of maybe 70 (on a good day and with a tail wind).

Okay, so I have a few grey hairs and no longer leap tall buildings at a single bound (isn't that why they invented elevators???), I could out-mop that guy with one hand tied behind my back. Maybe both hands. Youth isn't everything. And besides, Sven probably couldn't find his way to the broom closet each day without Google Maps.

Anyway, Madame P spoke up for me that day, said if they got rid of me, she'd quit the Ministry, think about getting a job with the Nanookians. That ended all discussion and the Martian (regretfully) sent Sven packing.

And the Martian wonders why his is the last litter box to be cleaned each day...

So I'm sure Madame P would never throw over her darling Chopper for a youngster like this. Has to be more than meets the eye to this.

Thanks for your visit and the personal revelations (I'm sure your usurping kid sister met a terrlble end, and you had absolutely nothing to do with it. You were with me the whole time, we had dinner and then went to a movie, never out of my sight, as I'll tell the police... And as for your True Love, brake lines do fail now and then, don't they? Pity...). Always much appreciated.

; )