From Mom: Today we took Fidel Catro to the vet. Madeline was very patient and willing to talk and wait for most of the visit. But after 20 minutes she was done with the exam room and decided that the cat needed to sit with her. (It's great fun watching a 27 lb. person try to move around a stubborn 11 lb. feline.) They really are excellent playmates, though. Madeline enjoys covering Fidel under blankets and feeding him treats - Fidel loves hiding under blankets and eating the treats. It's a good match. The only problem is that sometimes he just doesn't play in the "right" way. Generally this is when the cat tries to chew on Madeline's small plastic baby dolls - rather than line them up and tuck them in bed, which is how one is supposed to play with them (of course!) On those occasions I'll hear her jumping up and down and shouting "No, Ze Ze! No. No." (Ze Ze is the name of other cat - Madeline now calls all cats "Ze Ze.") I don't think she understands that the cat doesn't use language. I've witnessed her signing "stop" when she wants him to stand still. I've overheard her say "Excuse me, Ze Ze" when trying to get him to move out of her chair (simultaneously trying to push him with her little arms). I've even heard her say to the cat: "Walk away from my body, Ze Ze" when he's snuggling too closely. Adam and I wish her luck. So far we've not been able to get the cats to comply for us either. Maybe she'll succeed where her parents failed. (Won't be the first time, I'm sure!)