MAGGIE: with her "don't mess with me look."  

My own cat was named Maggie and was the inspiration for Consuelo's cat.  "Maggie" is found in various episodes through out the book.  In chapter twenty-three THE PARTY we find that Maggie saves the day.  Milford who is a bungling burglar and just sneaked into the house is terrorized by Maggie. As he walks by her kitty-tower she launches herself onto his head and rips him to shreds.  She was determined to protect those that she loves. Milford would only have one good eye for the rest of his life and a healthy respect for cats there after.  As I was writing this part of the story I was chuckling to my self because people often underestimate cats and there ability to protect there own.  In fact people underestimate cats in general but I don't.  I have learned to respect there intelligence.  

This is a tribute to "my" Maggie who lived with me for 16 years and kept me company through the hard times and the good times.   I miss her:(