Well, The Big Thing's parents visited for 3 lights. Skeeter and I are always nervous when other Big Things visit, but they normally only stay a part of one light. And they took over MY room (that's my quiet place)!
I snuck in a couple of times, but I got shooed out again.
We knew something was up. The Big Thing was using the noisy sucky machine a lot more than usual, and he was using smelly sprays more than usual, too. He also moved stuff back and forth through the cave and took all our toys off the floor.
At least (it turned out) so our toys wouldn't get all stepped on. He left some in his bed room so we had something to do!
When the other Big Things arrived, Skeeter went and hid under The warm softy thing all day. I just sat in the room and watched and listened quietly. I came out and sat under tables and such later to see what they were doing better.
They sit a lot, so that was good. It meant I could slowly walk nearer to them until I was more sure of what they might do to me. Since they talked nice and stayed sitting, that made me feel safer.
The second light I finally went over at let one of them (barely) stroke me. Close enough to touch, but not grab, if you know what I mean. Later, I got close to the other Big Thing. I'm brave! And I don't care what The Big Thing thinks, I did NOT "panic" when the others started walking around. I was just being properly careful of my tail!
And I was NOT either afraid of the rolly thing one of them uses. It has wheels and is quiet, but it still reminds me of the big noisy thing that brings us to the vet, and I've been in that 4 times this big moon. I was just making sure I didn't get put in it and taken to the vet again! I like the older male Big Thing because he opens the hard clear thing so I can go outside and he lets me back inside, too.
Skeeter hardly came out at all. He came out to eat some food when things were very quiet and the strange Big Things were asleep. The second light, he came out when they were all eating. He even let them touch him. He says he figures they won't hurt him while they are busy eating. I think it is the smell of their food he likes. He didn't get any of their food, but he acts a lot more friendly when he can smell food. He isn't brave like me, but he is always interested in good-smelly food. He did get a little taste later, though (I sniffed it but went back to my wet smelly good stuff bowl).
The 3rd light, we both stayed in the main rooms where the Big Things were and let them touch us many times. Skeeter even curled up on our Big Thing's lap twice while the others were in the same room.
The Big Thing says we would get used to having other Big Things around if they stayed a whole Moon. Maybe, but it just seems unnatural to have more than one Big Thing in the cave. We would have to be watching too many Big Things all the time (to make sure we didn't get our tailses stepped on, whether they were going to use the noisy sucky thing, whether they were going to take us to the vet, etc).
I mean, 3 Big Things means 3 times the vet trips, right? They all seem to enjoy doing that! But maybe we would get out more often. And there would be more scratches under the chin. But we're not sure; they make a lot of noise talking to each other all the time, and there are all those extra feet to watch out for. We already get all the food we want. And I want my quiet room! Even Skeeter hardly ever goes in there.
Well, anyway, the strange Big Things got up at early light. There was an awful lot of noise and walking and things being moved around. Our Big Thing put us in his sleepy room and closed the door (so we wouldn't be bothered too much).
After a few licks, The Big Thing opened the door and let us out. We looked and listened all over the cave. Apparently the strange Big Things have left. I went and napped in my favorite bright warm spot. Skeeter went and ate all the old dry smelly food and some dry crunchies and didn't even worry when The Big Thing walked through the room.
Then we all went outside and walked around together for a while. Things seem back to normal and Skeeter and I like that.
I oddly miss the strange Big Things, though. I wonder why... Maybe however things are, they should stay that way. I guess I just like knowing what to expect each light.