Mommy Dearest

It was only a matter of time. I forgot about Jinx and her Beany Baby fetish. At the height of that craze, my mother would periodically send me (and everyone else in her address book) whatever Beany Baby knockoff she might buy. I would unwrap the package, take out the little creatures and, while my back was turned Jinx would snatch one up in her teeth and carry it off. I thought it was cute, that she was trying to mother the little things since we stopped her reproductive capabilities before they even got started (they euthanize "surplus" pets by the ton here in the New South) and never had her own litter. Soon after, I was finding little plastic pellets all over the floor. Then I caught Jinx busily disemboweling one of the little stuffed critters with her hind claws. She would then drag the empty skin off and hide it under the couch cushions. She's older now but I'm keeping my eye on her and hiding the stuffed cuties out of her reach tonight.