<Dook, Dook, Dook, Dook>
 
I frantically search my house trying to find where MJ, my supergenius,
has disappeared to.  Like all ferret owners, I know that ferret-proofing
is a constant process, and that little "what if" always hangs in my head
when one of my furkids goes missing.  Then I see it.  The door to the
finished basement is cracked open, an entryway into the forbidden and
no doubt a ferret magnet.  As I venture down the stairs, I hear it.
 
<Dook, Dook, Dook>
 
A set of thundering paws rushes past me in a blur of chocololate fur.
Under the couch, under the loveseat, under the tv, into the fireplace,
all faster than I can even hope to keep up with.  A sooty MJ comes
wardancing past me in a typical "catch me if you can" fashion, fur
standing on end, tail bottle brushed, eyes taunting.  Then she's racing
into the laundry room, behind the washer and dryer, ending with a flying
dive into the kitty litter box.  Sand goes everywhere as I fall on my
face trying to catch the little imp in her mischief.
 
<Dook, Dook, Dook>
 
Then silence.  No thundering paws, no tell-tale dooks, no flash of fuzz.
My heart pounds as I ponder where she could be.
 
<Crincle, Crinkle, Crunch, Crunch>
 
Mother's worst nightmare.  Where is she and what is she eating?  I follow
the sounds as they get louder, and find myself standing in front of my
fish tank.  The cabinet lies ominously in front of me and I dread what I
will find when I open the door.  Two glowing eyes reflect the light as I
peer into the darkness, and a mouth full of something reflects the
sentiment of a captured felon.  I grab the little monster from her secret
cave and remove from her mouth the mysterious snack.
 
<Hisssssssssss>
 
The green cracker sits in the palm of my hand and I have to laugh as I
realize exactly what she got her paws into.  The bag of Wardley algae
wafers lies open in front of the place of capture.  Apparently MJ thinks
she is a fish.  After glancing over the ingredients, I find nothing
unhealthy about the unusual treat, and leave her to her bounty.  Just
goes to show you that sometimes the best laid plans can go awry.
 
This story brought to you by the amused audience of Nibbles, Oracle, and
Gizmo, proud sponsors of the Making Mischief Campaign.
 
Sincerely,
Sara and the Fab Four
[Posted in FML issue 4319]