Lucy is scheduled for a tooth extraction this morning, which means we couldn't feed either cat after 10 P.M. last night. I waited until late to feed the cats, thinking that if they ate late, the morning hunger pains wouldn't be quite so fierce. Of course, both cats had zero interest in food last night. I'm on the floor at 9 PM, throwing food at both cats, trying to engage them. No luck. "You are going to be two hungry kitties in the morning," I warned.

This morning was brutal. For me. I'm eating cereal and both cats are lined up in front of an empty food dish. They turn their heads to watch me chew my food, then turn a sad gaze back to their dish. "The guilt is killing me," I called to Blair.