🧡 WMEO SPECIAL REPORT

Banner Appreciation Day — Celebrating Our Ginger Gentleman

Banner (opening): Good evening, viewers. Apparently tonight’s bulletin is about… me. I’ve been informed by the WMEO newsroom that today is Ginger Cat Appreciation Day, and as the resident orange correspondent, protocol requires that I acknowledge it with dignity and professionalism.

Balboa: Dignity? Banner, you’re an orange cat. You radiate sunshine, optimism, and the belief that every lap is reserved for you. This holiday was practically invented in your honor.

Banner: I do strive to bring calm, steady reporting to WMEO. Whether it’s wildlife rescues, neighborhood happenings, or keeping Balboa from turning every segment into a cooking show, I take my role seriously.

Balboa: He’s the backbone of this operation. The whiskered anchor. The ginger glow that keeps the newsroom warm. Also, he never steals my snacks, which is a quality I deeply admire.

Banner: Thank you, Balboa. I appreciate that… I think.

Orange long‑haired cat wearing a blue WMEO press badge while sitting outdoors on a textured surface with blurred green trees in the background.

🐾 A Tribute from the Nature Desk

Today we celebrate:

Banner’s unwavering professionalism
His gentle leadership
His commitment to factual reporting
His ability to nap anywhere, anytime, without disrupting workflow
His orange‑cat charm that keeps WMEO running smoothly

From the first meow of the morning briefing to the final sign‑off at night, Banner brings steadiness to every broadcast.

🎤 Balboa’s Closing Remarks

Balboa: Here’s to Banner — the ginger legend, the calm in the newsroom storm, and the only cat who can make a breaking news alert sound like a bedtime story. Happy Ginger Cat Appreciation Day, buddy.

Banner: Thank you, Balboa. And thank you to our viewers for celebrating with us.

This has been a WMEO Special Report.

a black cat and an ornage cat sitting at the WMEO news desk during the sign off

We Meow. You Listen.

Rocky the Lap Cat

Rocky, retired editor cat in chief of this space, orange cat extraordinaire, was never known for being a lap cat. That suited me just fine because I wasn’t known for just sitting around waiting for a cat warmer. But Rocky isn’t getting any younger. He’s 18 1/2. He’ll be 19 in May. That’s old for a kitty cat. He doesn’t move around as much as he used to. I am treasuring every minute we have together. But he’s starting to be a little quirky.

Rocky’s Senior Moments

I can sympathize with Rocky when he seems to be confused. I have plenty of senior moments myself. They can be embarrassing. You know what I mean. You are presenting in a meeting and you are just getting to your point and it’s gone- poof! The mind is blank and you’re scrambling to not look like an idiot. After that happened a couple of times I’ve learned to laugh and admit that my mind just took a brief vacation. Well Rocky is doing things like that too. He will start toward his food bowl and suddenly stop, look around, maybe lick himself then walk away. The food is totally forgotten.

He’ll attack my arm at 4 am. When I turn the light on he blinks, looks confused and gently removes his claws. I know he doesn’t realize what he’s doing. Maybe he was dreaming I was a big mouse.

Rocky’s Lap Cat moments

You’ve all heard the jokes about the pet owner who can’t move because it would disturb the pet. Well Rocky the lap cat has turned me into one of those! Rocky follows me around and meows-loudly (Maybe he’s going deaf too?) Once I sit down I don’t even have time to settle myself before he is clambering into my lap. Once there he settles in for the duration. Heaven help me if I need to go to the bathroom! I’ve learned to keep the cell phone close at hand so I don’t have to disturb him to answer the phone. Once he’s settled in he doesn’t move. His Tail doesn’t even twitch! He’s so quiet sometimes I check to be sure he’s still breathing.

Well Loved and Loyal

Rocky has been a loyal pet and returned my love in full measure. If he acts a little strange now or wants to be held, who am I to deny him. I can delay that shopping trip or luncheon if it gives us a little more time together. I hope we have a few more years but I realize that every day is a gift when you have a senior pet.