Aboard the yacht
 

[After being greeted at the top of the gangway by Cleo, TV and Captain
LeGrand, Mme. Anaïs and Tiger board the yacht.

"I think this vessel ought to be suitable for our needs, and should get us
to the Caribbean reasonably quickly. Here, let me show you around.

This is the main weather deck. As you can see we have many deck chairs,
soft cushions, and kitty condos, and a sturdy plexiglass skirt around the
rail to prevent overly enthusiastic kitties from going overboard. There
are TurboScratchers every few yards, and we sprinkle fresh catnip on them
twice a day.

Back here is the toy deck. We have toy boxes all along this bulkhead,
stocked with fluffy mousies, feather wands, Panic Mouses, jingle balls,
and bunches of other toys. These areas that look about like hoomin
bathtubs are kitty play arenas, for those kitties that like to batbat toys
around in tubs.

And here you see the innovation I am most proud of - the climbing center!
You can see a pit full of soft plastic balls at the base of the climbing
wall. Then the wall itself is covered with thick cork, just the right
texture to support kitty claws. Every five feet or so there are
cubby-holes for kitties who want to rest or just observe. But the most
impressive part was designed by sisfur Amelia.

You know how sometimes young kitties will climb a little higher than
they're comfortable with, then panic and can't figure out how to get back
down? We had that happen a few times here, and had to send crewcats to
rescue the little ones. But Miss Amelia built some microphones and
position sensors into the wall, and put in a meow-recognition system.
Watch what happens now...

[With that Cleo took a run towards the wall, scrambled half-way up, and
stopped with her claws embedded in the cork wall. She then meowed, trying
to sound like a scared kitten. High over head a hum could be heard. The
cats standing below on the deck noticed a tubular rail running along the
top of the climbing wall. As they watched, a small motorized cart rode
along the rail until directly above Cleo. It then lowered a small basket
attached on a steel cable. The basket descended until it was beside Cleo,
then worked under her and was raised until it just contacted her back
paws. As soon as Cleo released her claws from the wall, the basket lowered
her gently to the deck.]

As you can see, kittens will no longer get stranded on the wall when they
become frightened! They just have to meow for help and the automatic
rescue basket will come and get them down. Amelia did an excellent job
designing this!

Now, come belowdeck with me and I'll show you the lower decks.

Cleo

Aboard the yacht
 

Dat iz veri impurrseif,... Tiger as TV walks prowdly next to hiz wifekitty
Her Royal Highness Cleopatra Silvercat wrote in
message .. .
[After being greeted at the top of the gangway by Cleo, TV and Captain
LeGrand, Mme. Anaïs and Tiger board the yacht.

"I think this vessel ought to be suitable for our needs, and should get us
to the Caribbean reasonably quickly. Here, let me show you around.

This is the main weather deck. As you can see we have many deck chairs,
soft cushions, and kitty condos, and a sturdy plexiglass skirt around the
rail to prevent overly enthusiastic kitties from going overboard. There
are TurboScratchers every few yards, and we sprinkle fresh catnip on them
twice a day.

Back here is the toy deck. We have toy boxes all along this bulkhead,
stocked with fluffy mousies, feather wands, Panic Mouses, jingle balls,
and bunches of other toys. These areas that look about like hoomin
bathtubs are kitty play arenas, for those kitties that like to batbat toys
around in tubs.

And here you see the innovation I am most proud of - the climbing center!
You can see a pit full of soft plastic balls at the base of the climbing
wall. Then the wall itself is covered with thick cork, just the right
texture to support kitty claws. Every five feet or so there are
cubby-holes for kitties who want to rest or just observe. But the most
impressive part was designed by sisfur Amelia.

You know how sometimes young kitties will climb a little higher than
they're comfortable with, then panic and can't figure out how to get back
down? We had that happen a few times here, and had to send crewcats to
rescue the little ones. But Miss Amelia built some microphones and
position sensors into the wall, and put in a meow-recognition system.
Watch what happens now...

[With that Cleo took a run towards the wall, scrambled half-way up, and
stopped with her claws embedded in the cork wall. She then meowed, trying
to sound like a scared kitten. High over head a hum could be heard. The
cats standing below on the deck noticed a tubular rail running along the
top of the climbing wall. As they watched, a small motorized cart rode
along the rail until directly above Cleo. It then lowered a small basket
attached on a steel cable. The basket descended until it was beside Cleo,
then worked under her and was raised until it just contacted her back
paws. As soon as Cleo released her claws from the wall, the basket lowered
her gently to the deck.]

As you can see, kittens will no longer get stranded on the wall when they
become frightened! They just have to meow for help and the automatic
rescue basket will come and get them down. Amelia did an excellent job
designing this!

Now, come belowdeck with me and I'll show you the lower decks.

Cleo

Aboard the yacht
 

On Thu, 14 Dec 2006 08:44:56 -0800, Her Royal Highness Cleopatra
Silvercat's nimble, little paws typed:
lil snippy

As you can see, kittens will no longer get stranded on the wall when they
become frightened! They just have to meow for help and the automatic
rescue basket will come and get them down. Amelia did an excellent job
designing this!

Now, come belowdeck with me and I'll show you the lower decks.

Cleo

Oh my whiskerz! Datz sum infention dat Amelia haz dere! An doze
kushionz luk infiting!

I can't wait to see da below decks!

--
Purrs,

Mme. Anaïs
12/14/2006 1:39:47 PM

Aboard the yacht
 

maybe we kan try owt one of doze kuzins later, Tiger
Mme. Anaïs ^..^ wrote in message
...
On Thu, 14 Dec 2006 08:44:56 -0800, Her Royal Highness Cleopatra
Silvercat's nimble, little paws typed:
lil snippy

As you can see, kittens will no longer get stranded on the wall when
they
become frightened! They just have to meow for help and the automatic
rescue basket will come and get them down. Amelia did an excellent job
designing this!

Now, come belowdeck with me and I'll show you the lower decks.

Cleo

Oh my whiskerz! Datz sum infention dat Amelia haz dere! An doze
kushionz luk infiting!

I can't wait to see da below decks!

--
Purrs,

Mme. Anaïs
12/14/2006 1:39:47 PM

Aboard the yacht
 

Oh my whiskerz! Datz sum infention dat Amelia haz dere! An doze
kushionz luk infiting!

I can't wait to see da below decks!

Well, let's take a look! Let's take the elevator, and work our way from
the bottom up.

[Cleo leads everykitty to the elevator. It's nicely appointed with lots of
chrome and soft carpeting. The control panel has buttons labeled 1 through
5, with a pawprint pad beside the button for floor 2. Cleo presses "5".
The elevator hums for a few moments, then the doors open into a somewhat
noisy area.]

We won't stay down here long, since it's a little loud. This is the engine
room. As you can see we have a really big diesel engine, and that shiny
big thing over there is a MHD engine for when we need to go really fast.
And over there are the boilers for keeping the rooms nice and warm, and
the cooling plant that lets us keep all the fishies and stuff in the
storage lockers nice and cold.

Here, let's go up a deck... [Cleo leads tehm up a staircase.] This is the
crew deck. Al of the staff kitties except the Captain, his Executive
Officer, and the Communications Officer have rooms here. This room is not
occupied this trip - [Cleo opens a stateroom door.] As you can see each
cabin has a nice, comfy kitty bed or warm cushion, whichever the crewkitty
prefers. Each room has a private litter box, and a refrigerator so the
staff kitties can keep their own private stock of snacks if they want to.
There is also a toy box in each room.

[Cleo then leads them down the corridor a few doors.] This is the staff
dining room. Everybody is out on duty right now, since we're gettnig ready
to get under way. The chef, Chef Andre, is ashore right now picking up
some last-minute goodies. We have a chef for the staff dining room and two
chefs for the guest dining rooms.

Now let's see third deck... [Cleo leads everykitty up another stairway.]

This is the cabin deck. Nobody has chosen cabins yet, so they are all
available. Here, take a look. This is a typical stateroom. This one has
three kitty cushions, but other rooms have anywhere from one to eight
cushions or kitty beds. And of course we can rearrange rooms as guests
prefer. And check this out - each room has a balcony! The balconies are
recessed into the side of the ship, so the wind won't get too bad when
we're under way. And of course we have deluxe litter boxes, in-cabin
refrigerators, toy and nip boxes, chilled water fountains - and room
service is available from the guest kitchen 24 hours a day.

Now let's go forward. We have a couple of conference rooms here, which can
also be ballrooms. Right now the wall between the rooms has been rolled
back, so it is configured as one large room. And this large table here?
This is the very table at which the peace treaty was signed that ended the
Dalmation Conflict.

Remember last year, when the Dalmation Dogs were fighting with the Border
Collies? The Dalmations were sneaking in to the Border Collie houses and
chewing the backs out of the master's shoes, and the Border Collies were
pooping in the front yards of the Dalmation's hoomins. Many hundreds of
innocent shoes were slaughtered, and enough dog poop left on lawns to bury
a small village. But the Dalmation and Border Collie ambassadors were
finally convinced to meet and work out there differences. They insisted on
a neutral territory for the meeting, so I offered this vessel and they
accepted.

Now let's go up top again. [Cleo again leads them to a stairwell. They
climb a very long ways, and emerge on the deck where they began their
tour.] And aft us the bridge, hanging over the stern of the ship, is the
aviation deck. As you can see the helicopter is away at the moment,
picking up more guests.

Whenever you want I'll take you through the bridge.

Now, who would like to pick out staterooms, and who would like some snacks?

Cleo

Aboard the yacht
 

Tiger says... dearest wifekitty purleze pik uses a rum, anna Stormmee,
Trudi, OEJ anna i thinkz dat girlkitty Chester haz been datin wantsa stay
togefur, kuld dey be klose tu uses as da girlz wantsa ajoinin rum wif der
boykitty furndz anna stormmee iz juza little young ta be unchaperuned, Tiger
deffurin to da xilint tazte of da wifekitty
Her Royal Highness Cleopatra Silvercat wrote in
message .. .
Oh my whiskerz! Datz sum infention dat Amelia haz dere! An doze
kushionz luk infiting!

I can't wait to see da below decks!

Well, let's take a look! Let's take the elevator, and work our way from
the bottom up.

[Cleo leads everykitty to the elevator. It's nicely appointed with lots of
chrome and soft carpeting. The control panel has buttons labeled 1 through
5, with a pawprint pad beside the button for floor 2. Cleo presses "5".
The elevator hums for a few moments, then the doors open into a somewhat
noisy area.]

We won't stay down here long, since it's a little loud. This is the engine
room. As you can see we have a really big diesel engine, and that shiny
big thing over there is a MHD engine for when we need to go really fast.
And over there are the boilers for keeping the rooms nice and warm, and
the cooling plant that lets us keep all the fishies and stuff in the
storage lockers nice and cold.

Here, let's go up a deck... [Cleo leads tehm up a staircase.] This is the
crew deck. Al of the staff kitties except the Captain, his Executive
Officer, and the Communications Officer have rooms here. This room is not
occupied this trip - [Cleo opens a stateroom door.] As you can see each
cabin has a nice, comfy kitty bed or warm cushion, whichever the crewkitty
prefers. Each room has a private litter box, and a refrigerator so the
staff kitties can keep their own private stock of snacks if they want to.
There is also a toy box in each room.

[Cleo then leads them down the corridor a few doors.] This is the staff
dining room. Everybody is out on duty right now, since we're gettnig ready
to get under way. The chef, Chef Andre, is ashore right now picking up
some last-minute goodies. We have a chef for the staff dining room and two
chefs for the guest dining rooms.

Now let's see third deck... [Cleo leads everykitty up another stairway.]

This is the cabin deck. Nobody has chosen cabins yet, so they are all
available. Here, take a look. This is a typical stateroom. This one has
three kitty cushions, but other rooms have anywhere from one to eight
cushions or kitty beds. And of course we can rearrange rooms as guests
prefer. And check this out - each room has a balcony! The balconies are
recessed into the side of the ship, so the wind won't get too bad when
we're under way. And of course we have deluxe litter boxes, in-cabin
refrigerators, toy and nip boxes, chilled water fountains - and room
service is available from the guest kitchen 24 hours a day.

Now let's go forward. We have a couple of conference rooms here, which can
also be ballrooms. Right now the wall between the rooms has been rolled
back, so it is configured as one large room. And this large table here?
This is the very table at which the peace treaty was signed that ended the
Dalmation Conflict.

Remember last year, when the Dalmation Dogs were fighting with the Border
Collies? The Dalmations were sneaking in to the Border Collie houses and
chewing the backs out of the master's shoes, and the Border Collies were
pooping in the front yards of the Dalmation's hoomins. Many hundreds of
innocent shoes were slaughtered, and enough dog poop left on lawns to bury
a small village. But the Dalmation and Border Collie ambassadors were
finally convinced to meet and work out there differences. They insisted on
a neutral territory for the meeting, so I offered this vessel and they
accepted.

Now let's go up top again. [Cleo again leads them to a stairwell. They
climb a very long ways, and emerge on the deck where they began their
tour.] And aft us the bridge, hanging over the stern of the ship, is the
aviation deck. As you can see the helicopter is away at the moment,
picking up more guests.

Whenever you want I'll take you through the bridge.

Now, who would like to pick out staterooms, and who would like some
snacks?

Cleo

Aboard the yacht
 

Wy, fangu, Tiger! Dat was furry thotful.

Lucy


Stormmee wrote:
Tiger says... dearest wifekitty purleze pik uses a rum, anna Stormmee,
Trudi, OEJ anna i thinkz dat girlkitty Chester haz been datin wantsa stay
togefur, kuld dey be klose tu uses as da girlz wantsa ajoinin rum wif der
boykitty furndz anna stormmee iz juza little young ta be unchaperuned, Tiger
deffurin to da xilint tazte of da wifekitty
Her Royal Highness Cleopatra Silvercat wrote in
message .. .
Oh my whiskerz! Datz sum infention dat Amelia haz dere! An doze
kushionz luk infiting!

I can't wait to see da below decks!

Well, let's take a look! Let's take the elevator, and work our way from
the bottom up.

[Cleo leads everykitty to the elevator. It's nicely appointed with lots of
chrome and soft carpeting. The control panel has buttons labeled 1 through
5, with a pawprint pad beside the button for floor 2. Cleo presses "5".
The elevator hums for a few moments, then the doors open into a somewhat
noisy area.]

We won't stay down here long, since it's a little loud. This is the engine
room. As you can see we have a really big diesel engine, and that shiny
big thing over there is a MHD engine for when we need to go really fast.
And over there are the boilers for keeping the rooms nice and warm, and
the cooling plant that lets us keep all the fishies and stuff in the
storage lockers nice and cold.

Here, let's go up a deck... [Cleo leads tehm up a staircase.] This is the
crew deck. Al of the staff kitties except the Captain, his Executive
Officer, and the Communications Officer have rooms here. This room is not
occupied this trip - [Cleo opens a stateroom door.] As you can see each
cabin has a nice, comfy kitty bed or warm cushion, whichever the crewkitty
prefers. Each room has a private litter box, and a refrigerator so the
staff kitties can keep their own private stock of snacks if they want to.
There is also a toy box in each room.

[Cleo then leads them down the corridor a few doors.] This is the staff
dining room. Everybody is out on duty right now, since we're gettnig ready
to get under way. The chef, Chef Andre, is ashore right now picking up
some last-minute goodies. We have a chef for the staff dining room and two
chefs for the guest dining rooms.

Now let's see third deck... [Cleo leads everykitty up another stairway.]

This is the cabin deck. Nobody has chosen cabins yet, so they are all
available. Here, take a look. This is a typical stateroom. This one has
three kitty cushions, but other rooms have anywhere from one to eight
cushions or kitty beds. And of course we can rearrange rooms as guests
prefer. And check this out - each room has a balcony! The balconies are
recessed into the side of the ship, so the wind won't get too bad when
we're under way. And of course we have deluxe litter boxes, in-cabin
refrigerators, toy and nip boxes, chilled water fountains - and room
service is available from the guest kitchen 24 hours a day.

Now let's go forward. We have a couple of conference rooms here, which can
also be ballrooms. Right now the wall between the rooms has been rolled
back, so it is configured as one large room. And this large table here?
This is the very table at which the peace treaty was signed that ended the
Dalmation Conflict.

Remember last year, when the Dalmation Dogs were fighting with the Border
Collies? The Dalmations were sneaking in to the Border Collie houses and
chewing the backs out of the master's shoes, and the Border Collies were
pooping in the front yards of the Dalmation's hoomins. Many hundreds of
innocent shoes were slaughtered, and enough dog poop left on lawns to bury
a small village. But the Dalmation and Border Collie ambassadors were
finally convinced to meet and work out there differences. They insisted on
a neutral territory for the meeting, so I offered this vessel and they
accepted.

Now let's go up top again. [Cleo again leads them to a stairwell. They
climb a very long ways, and emerge on the deck where they began their
tour.] And aft us the bridge, hanging over the stern of the ship, is the
aviation deck. As you can see the helicopter is away at the moment,
picking up more guests.

Whenever you want I'll take you through the bridge.

Now, who would like to pick out staterooms, and who would like some
snacks?

Cleo

Aboard the yacht
 

On Thu, 14 Dec 2006 19:20:53 -0600, Stormmee's nimble, little paws
typed:

Tiger says... dearest wifekitty purleze pik uses a rum, anna Stormmee,
Trudi, OEJ anna i thinkz dat girlkitty Chester haz been datin wantsa stay
togefur, kuld dey be klose tu uses as da girlz wantsa ajoinin rum wif der
boykitty furndz anna stormmee iz juza little young ta be unchaperuned, Tiger
deffurin to da xilint tazte of da wifekitty

Hokay den,

Lucy, why don you com wif me, and Tiger, we'll meet you upstairs for
shampane in a few minitz.

Lesee, I finks dat Tiger an myself wood like da staterum wif da
oriental theme, and Lucy, ifn you look across da hall, derez a few
large, adjoining staterums. Whey don you pick one out fur da
girlkitties, an anofur fur da boyfrens?

Oh - derez Beauty an Cinder! Hihi [hedbuttz} - do you gize wanta pik
owt a statreum?

Den we can awl go back togefur fur a snak an shampayne!

--
Purrs,

Mme. Anaïs
12/15/2006 10:01:34 AM

Aboard the yacht
 

minesef will go anna tezt, err i mean see dat da snakz anna drinkz iz
readi... Tiger... walking off looking for cleo and TV anna snakz
Mme. Anaïs ^..^ wrote in message
...
On Thu, 14 Dec 2006 19:20:53 -0600, Stormmee's nimble, little paws
typed:

Tiger says... dearest wifekitty purleze pik uses a rum, anna Stormmee,
Trudi, OEJ anna i thinkz dat girlkitty Chester haz been datin wantsa
stay
togefur, kuld dey be klose tu uses as da girlz wantsa ajoinin rum wif
der
boykitty furndz anna stormmee iz juza little young ta be unchaperuned,
Tiger
deffurin to da xilint tazte of da wifekitty

Hokay den,

Lucy, why don you com wif me, and Tiger, we'll meet you upstairs for
shampane in a few minitz.

Lesee, I finks dat Tiger an myself wood like da staterum wif da
oriental theme, and Lucy, ifn you look across da hall, derez a few
large, adjoining staterums. Whey don you pick one out fur da
girlkitties, an anofur fur da boyfrens?

Oh - derez Beauty an Cinder! Hihi [hedbuttz} - do you gize wanta pik
owt a statreum?

Den we can awl go back togefur fur a snak an shampayne!

--
Purrs,

Mme. Anaïs
12/15/2006 10:01:34 AM

Aboard the yacht
 

On Fri, 15 Dec 2006 10:07:07 -0500, "Mme. Anaïs ^..^"
wrote:

On Thu, 14 Dec 2006 19:20:53 -0600, Stormmee's nimble, little paws
typed:

Tiger says... dearest wifekitty purleze pik uses a rum, anna Stormmee,
Trudi, OEJ anna i thinkz dat girlkitty Chester haz been datin wantsa stay
togefur, kuld dey be klose tu uses as da girlz wantsa ajoinin rum wif der
boykitty furndz anna stormmee iz juza little young ta be unchaperuned, Tiger
deffurin to da xilint tazte of da wifekitty

Hokay den,

Lucy, why don you com wif me, and Tiger, we'll meet you upstairs for
shampane in a few minitz.

Lesee, I finks dat Tiger an myself wood like da staterum wif da
oriental theme, and Lucy, ifn you look across da hall, derez a few
large, adjoining staterums. Whey don you pick one out fur da
girlkitties, an anofur fur da boyfrens?

Oh - derez Beauty an Cinder! Hihi [hedbuttz} - do you gize wanta pik
owt a statreum?

Den we can awl go back togefur fur a snak an shampayne!

We'll take a small stateroom to the portside of the ship with extra
litter boxes in case we have company. Shampayne sounds gud and so do
snaks.

Beauty and Cinder