Leigh : "Hi Alfie, say hello to the readers"

Alfie Cat : "What are they reading?"

Leigh : "They're reading this Alfie"

Alfie Cat : "Okay, hello readers"

Leigh : "Do you mind if I ask you a few questions about FiV?"

Alfie Cat : "What's that?"

Leigh : "It's a lenti virus Alfie"

Alfie Cat "It's a what?!"

Leigh : "It's a lenti virus"

Alfie Cat : "So how should I know?"

Leigh : "Well you've got it"

Alfie Cat : "I've got what?"

Leigh : "You've got a lenti virus Alfie it's called feline immunodeficiency virus or FiV for short"

Alfie Cat : "Wow! how'd I get that then?, I don't like lentils"

Leigh : "No Alfie it's got nothing to do with lentils, lenti means slow in Ancient Greek, so it's a slow virus"

Alfie Cat : "Yes but how'd I get this lenti thing?, I've never been to ancient Greece!"

Leigh : "Remember when you were a stray and got bitten by another cat? that's how you got it"

Alfie Cat :  "Remember it !, you think that I could forget it?"

Leigh : "So what's it like having FiV then?"

Alfie Cat : "It's no big deal"

Leigh : "Maybe it's best if I ask you a few simple questions"

Alfie Cat : "Okay bro, shoot"

Leigh : "Does having FiV mean that you don't enjoy your food?"

Alfie Cat : "You are joking right?, you should know how much food I put away"

Leigh : "I know that but for the benefit of the readers

Alfie Cat : "I like you, you're very funny, no, I love my food"

Leigh : "Great, so does having FiV mean that you can't play?"

Alfie Cat : "I love my toys, I love playing, I love any play-like activity, that good enough for you?"

Leigh : "So does having FiV mean that you have problems sleeping"

Leigh : "Very funny Alfie, you've proved your point, does FiV mean that you can't have any cat friends?"

Alfie Cat : "No, I've got my mates Frankie and Suzie"

Leigh : "Say hello Frankie"

Alfie Cat : "Hello Frankie"

Leigh : "No that was addressed to Frankie"

Alfie Cat : "Well it's not my fault if your punctuation's rubbish"

Leigh : "Say hello, Frankie"

Frankie Cat : "Hello, what's this all about?"

Leigh : "It's a dialogue Frankie"

Alfie Cat : "He means catalogue Frankie"

Leigh : "No Alfie I mean dialogue, a catalogue's something else"

Frankie Cat : "Make your mind up guys"

Leigh : "Never mind the catalogue, er I mean dialogue, let's get back to discussing Fiv, Frankie's also got FiV Alfie"

Alfie Cat : "Blimey! and I thought that I was the only one, does he like lentils?"

Leigh : "No Alfie, Frankie doesn't like lentils either he caught it the same way as you, loads of cats have it"

Alfie Cat : "I don't feel so special now"

Leigh : "You're all special Alfie"

Alfie Cat : "But I feel pretty normal"

Frankie Cat : "So do I, do you feel normal too Leigh?"

Leigh : "Yes I feel normal too Frankie"

Frankie Cat : "So you've got this FiV thingy too?"

Leigh "No guys,  humans and other species can't catch FiV it's only cats"

Frankie Cat : "I always said that his ears were too small Alfie"

Leigh : "Very funny Frankie, that's my point,you're both special to me by being normal"

Frankie Cat : "I'm confused"

Alfie Cat : "You're not the only one Frankie, does Suzie have FiV?"

Leigh "No Alfie, Suzie doesn't have FiV"

Alfie Cat : "Why hasn't she caught FiV then?"

Leigh : "Okay guys let me explain, this FiV thing"

Alfie Cat : "The lentil virus"

Frankie Cat : "The lentil virus?!"

Leigh : " FiV is a virus transmitted between cats by being bitten by a penetrating bite from another cat that has been infected by FiV. It's a slow acting virus that effects the cat's immune system and thus the cat's ability to fight off infections and illness. Cat's with FiV can lead long and healthy lives providing a few sensible precautions are taken by keeping them indoors where they aren't subjected to catching infections and diseases and where they cannot spread the virus to other cats.  FiV cannot be caught by humans and other species. 

Alfie Cat : "Blimey! that was a mouthful"

Leigh : "Say goodbye to the readers guys"

Alfie Cat : "Bye for now folks, come on Frankie, let's have some grub, a nice nap and then we can trash dad's clean laundry"

Leigh : "Hey guys, here's a great cartoon for you, he he"

From "Today’s Cartoon by Randy Glasbergen", displayed with special permission. For many more cartoons, please visit Randy's site @ www.glasbergen.com