One day Poppy was sunning herself in an upstairs window, watching the world go by, when she heard a big commotion on the stairs, and then a loud “bump, bump, bump.” Fred was wrestling a “pet carrier” up the stairs. He got to the very top, and opened the door.
“Oh, wow, and Holy Rottweiler!” said Poppy. “Do I see what I think I see? Do my laser sharp eyes deceive me, or is that a bona fide member of the royal family–a purebred red tabby Maine Coon?”
“Isn’t she charming?” asked Fred, and out walked the cutest little orange kitten with a huge fluffy tail.
“Poppy, come and see the new friend we got for you,” gushed Gladys and Fred.
Poppy was worried. She knew that her mom and dad had the best of intentions–but this could be serious for her operation. Cute and playful were nice traits, but how was she going to fit this kitty into her spy agency?
This might be real trouble. Only time would tell whether or not Poppy could work her magic, and turn Baby Rosie into a crackerjack member of the KIT. There were a couple of encouraging early signs, though. The new baby seemed to have an adventuresome spirit and she was fascinated with computers and technology. Also, Poppy noted in passing, that the enormous fluffy tail might someday be useful in hiding spy equipment and other telecommunication devices.
Fred and Gladys were still carrying on about the new addition.
“This is so exciting!” they exclaimed. “ She should have an ‘opera’ name–just like Poppy!”
They settled on the name Rosina - after the clever young minx in “The Barber of Seville.”
“And let’s shorten that to Rosie,” said Gladys.
Poppy and Rosie did bond–as only two spies in the trenches will. But their unit was not complete by any means. They were to have company.
Soon after Rosie’s arrival, another “bump, bump, bump” was heard in the Truttyfore household. The cat carrier was bringing yet another passenger up the town house stairs. Fred opened the door of the carrier, and out walked an extremely athletic dilute calico–also with a very fluffy tail. She was immediately given the name, Willnett, in honor of the talented women’s basketball player, of the same name.
Poppy and Rosie thought, “Let’s call her Willie for short.”
“Now, Poppy and Rosie, we want you to be very nice to your new friend,” said Fred and Gladys. “She is a very special case. She may be scared at first because she is a ‘rescue,’ who was living on the streets. We understand that before her fortunes fell, she was working in the medical field with herbs and plants to cure diseases. The shelter lady also said that she really likes basketball.”
Poppy surveyed Willie with a discerning eye.
“Well, at least this time they picked an athlete,” said Poppy. With just a quick glimpse, she could tell Willie sported an impressive build–and the medical knowledge would come in handy, too.
Poppy was content. She purred with satisfaction.
The in-home branch of the Kitty Intelligence Trust (KIT) was now complete–and the horizon looked very bright, indeed. Poppy, Rosie and Willie were all going to be spectacular spies!