The bride was down in Virginia for the weekend for our granddaughter Allison's 18th birthday but an expensive car malfunction kept her away for almost five days.

Late last night when she got home and got in the door exhausted after her 8-hour drive with her luggage the tom Trouble screamed out a cat "yelp" and galloped up to her with his head down and his tail straight up in happiness. He was rubbing up against her legs and was mewing with great joy before she could even say hello to me.

I rough the tom up in great play and he loves the action with blankets tossed over him while being knocked down and battered with rubs but he also likes flopping in Mary's lap for gentle pettings, brushings and kisses.

Trouble is a sweet huge beast and I'm happy that he's a neutered house cat. We love the guy.