As you can see from the above photo, poor Ralph missed Holly terribly last week while we were gone.  I snapped this photo the other day in my studio.  Holly got up on the daybed, and Ralph cuddled up right next to her.  I think he missed all of us....but Holly the most.  I got to thinking about what may have transpired the week we were gone and left Marcel, Ralph and Foster here in the excellent care of my friend, Molly.  I have a feeling the following conversations may have ensued during our absence:

Day One ~~~~~~

Foster to Ralph:  It's dark out and our people aren't here.  What do ya think, Ralph?  They've never been this late coming home before.

Ralph:  Yeah, I know.  I'm getting a little nervous.  And why'd that nice woman come this afternoon to feed us?  She's nice enough, but she's not our "people." 

Foster: (looking anxiously around the house)  I have no idea.  Hey, I know....let's ask Marcel.  Marcel knows everything.  He's always tellin' us that.

Ralph:  There he is.....curled up on the back of the sofa.  Hey, Marcel.  Where IS everybody?  What's going on?  I'm getting.....getting.....a little scared.

Marcel:  (yawns widely, stretches, arches his back and gives Ralph a distainful expression)  Awww, guys, chill out.  Not a big deal.  You're new here.  I've lived with them for 7 years.  They do this every now and again.

Ralph:  Yeah, but.....but.....are we left alone?  Forever?

Marcel:  (changing position to resume his nap)  Nah, they'll be back.  They always come back.  Eventually.

Foster:  (giving Ralph a wary look)  Are you sure?  And how about Holly?  Ralph is really missing her a lot.  I'm missing her too.  We could do without that little dustmop, Duncan, but I'm even kinda missin' him.

Marcel:  Look, guys, I know what I'm talkin' about.  They'll all be back.  Now stop whining and let me sleep.

Day Two ~~~~~

Ralph:  (nudging Foster awake)  Hey, oh golly, if things weren't bad enough....you're not going to BElieve this!  We have two strange guys in our house.  And they're.....they're moving all our furniture around.  The family room and dining room is empty!

Foster:  (fully awake and peeking out from the bedroom)  Holy smokes, you're right!  Where'd all our furniture go?  We need to find Marcel.  And fast!

Ralph:  There he is, in the tv room.  Marcel....what's going on?  All our furniture is being moved.  The rooms are empty.

Marcel:  Will you guys settle down.  You're worse than two female cats.  We're getting tile in the house.  No more of that yucky, hot, carpet. 

(Foster and Ralph stare at each other, bewilderment crossing their face)

Marcel:  You'll see.  You'll love it.  It's so nice and cool to lay on.  We had it in the other house before we moved here.

(Foster and Ralph saunter off, filled with apprehension and confusion)

Day Eight ~~~~~

Foster to Ralph:  Maybe you're right, Ralph.  Maybe we've been abandoned.  Maybe they're never coming back.  And maybe this nice lady is our new mom. 

Ralph: (wiping his eye with a paw)  Yup, I think Marcel's wrong.  I think we're now what they call homeless.  No family.  Nobody to love us.  My tummy hurts.

Foster:  (ears perking up, runs to the front window)  Ralph!  Ralph, look!  It's THEM!  It's our family.  And they have Holly with them too.  And that sweet, adorable, cute, Duncan. 

Marcel:  (shaking his head)  Hey, guys, ya gotta learn Rule Number One when people return.  Don't act excited.  Don't show that you've missed them.  And above ALL, do NOT greet them at the door.  Ya got that?

Foster and Ralph:  (racing wildly to the door, hardly able to contain their joy)  Yup!  We got it!

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What do you think?  I have a feeling this conversation might be very close to reality.  See you tomorrow...........