This morning the cat dragged my black cashmere sweater out of my room and down the stairs by the sleeve. It trailed between his legs like roadkill. I let 'im do it, cuz it was cute. Next, I considered how my lenience as a parent had affected my children. I marched downstairs. On the kitchen floor I found my sweater speckled with dog hair. The cat, lying next to it, still clutched the sleeve in his mouth. He was docile as I opened his mouth and removed what was not his, merely lifting his head to watch me as I stood up and walked away.