Autumn

Autumn is here. It's cold and it's raining. I know that's a good thing for a region in drought, but I can't help but reflect on those glorious days in the sun, when I would lie in the dirt, or on the deck, and soak up the heat . . . or when I would curl up in the shade of the hydrangea and listen to the world around me.

Now I get dripped on and everywhere is wet and dirty. And it's getting cold. Much better to curl up on my cushion and sleep inside.

Driveway daydreaming

Feeling better today. Have eaten most of my food.

For the first time in months I slept on my cushion by the window. It's an excellent spot -- incredibly comfortable and provides an excellent vantage point for looking down the driveway. For the past four years it's been my favourite spot in all the world. I can't think why I've avoided it recently. It was wonderful to be back.

I was there when Ellen came home today. It allowed me to witness the most delicious incident when she almost ran over both the ginger cat and white fluffball. Oh the joy, the rapture! But, alas, she drove slowly and those stupid animals (which were sauntering down the middle of the driveway) finally deigned to saunter out of the way.

One day, ESP will work.

Life sucks

Life sucks at the moment. I don't feel well. I can't eat. Last night I vomited, and this morning my bowels . . . well, let's just say they're not up to scratch and everything is runny.

Ellen keeps asking me if I'm all right. Can't she see I'm NOT? I try to explain exactly how terrible I'm feeling, and all she does is rattle the food bowl and ask me why I'm not eating. Can't she see I'm NOT HUNGRY?

Well, she wanted me on a diet . . .

And now there's an intruder in my garden so I can't even go outside. I think I'll just sulk inside for the rest of the day.

Fat cat

I got weighed today and I'm 4.8kg. Ellen says that's too heavy, so she's put me on a diet. Sheesh! Just because SHE'S on a diet! What's she going to subject me to? Weightwatchers for cats? Does that mean 22 pellet-points per day (or whatever)?

I AM NOT FAT!

The island - Day 3 (Monday)

By the third day I was starting to feel more at home, although Jeddah still made me nervous. I think I would like to spend a weekend at the island without Jeddah -- it would be so much more relaxing!

Anyway, I spent most of the day in Ellen's room again. By the time she shoved me in my cage for the trip home, I was ready to go. It wasn't nearly so frustrating on the way home, because I knew we were headed home! It still took nearly 2 hours, but it was so wonderful to finally have my space back.

Thankfully, Ellen fed me straight away, because my appetite had been really off all weekend.

In all, it was an interesting experience. Character building. I hope it doesn't happen again for a while. There's just been too much upheaval in my life of late!

Howl

Excuse the interruption, but that stupid ginger cat is on MY DECK! RIGHT NOW! Ellen has me confined inside, but what wouldn't I give to shoot out my door and give that whiskerless no-hoper what for! Instead, all I can do is howl at him through the plastic. I wish he would GO AWAY!

The island - Day 2 (Sunday)

I spent most of the day in Ellen's room. Even when everyone else went out for a walk for the entire morning, I was quite content to sleep under the bedcovers. An ideal Sunday morning snooze.

Ellen got her computer out in the afternoon, and I ventured out into the living room to explore. She also made me go outside! This made me very edgy, since who knows what might be out there? The fences are all wire and transparent, and there's zero protection. I would be mad to let my guard down like I do at home. (In MY GARDEN it's quite different, because I know every smell, every sound, every tremor. I can detect danger a mile off.)

I had vowed not to use my litter tray all weekend, but it began to get a bit difficult to hold on, and Ellen worked it out when I ventured into the bath. (At home, that's an acceptable option, because at least it's easy to clean -- Although Ellen still swears at me when I do that.) However, at the island it sparked a battle between us, and (after I drew blood) she THREW me into the downstairs bathroom and locked me in! She actually stood there holding the door closed! This proved to be a good idea though, because I knew there was no way she'd let Jeddah in, and I felt secure.

It was such a relief to let it all out. Even though I missed the tray and it went all over the floor. Ellen wasn't too happy about that, because she had to clean it all up, but at least I tried to use the litter tray! The problem is that I'm out of practice, since I have a whole garden at home. After holding on for over 24 hours, I felt like a new feline! I was finally able to eat, although my appetite for the entire holiday was quite low.

Poor Ellen has quite a few new scratches on her wrists. I don't know what strangers think about that. She didn't try to lock me away on the Sunday night, so I slept in her bed again. She had the light on almost all night! I think she was reading.

The island - Day 1 (Saturday)

When Ellen bundled me into my carry case, I had no idea where we were going. It took FOREVER to get there! I tried to talk to Ellen the whole way down, but she ignored me for the most part. The car went fast and bumped a lot. I couldn't see out the window, which was really frustrating.

When we finally arrived early afternoon, she stuffed all my gear into a tiny bathroom--carry case, food bowl and litter tray! I was so grumpy with her that I wouldn't come out of the carry case. I stayed there for hours, seething and (OK, I admit it) terrified. But Jeddah was there, running around as if he owned the place! He had the advantage. For all I knew there were more predators just waiting to attack me!

Finally I ventured upstairs after dinner (not that I ate much, my stomach was fluttering like a mad butterfly). Man, was it way cool upstairs! The space is massive, and I felt like an idiot for cowering downstairs all afternoon. I found Ellen's bedroom and decided to hang about in there.

She tried to lock me in that awful bathroom for the night! Why would she do that? She never locks me up at night. I suppose it might have been her mum that made her, but she could have shown some backbone! Anyway, I am too canny for that, and I escaped the bathroom and called to Ellen outside her bedroom door. She let me in, and thankfully let me sleep with her. It was almost like it was at home (but Jeddah was still around somewhere).

So that was the first day. I will tell you about Day 2, perhaps tomorrow.

Survived!

I survived the holiday.

We are home again now and it is so wonderful to be back, with that pesky dog Jeddah anywhere but here. I have spent the day lounging in the dirt, patrolling the rooftops, sleeping under the Hydrangea . . . and NOT using my litter tray!!

I can eat again, finally.

Actually, it wasn't that bad, once I got used to it. And I am going to tell you about it, day by day, but just let me enjoy being home again first!

Holiday

OMG, I've just found out that I'm going on a holiday with Ellen this weekend! I'm all at once terrified and excited. I would much prefer she take me with her than leave me all alone again, but why oh why can't she just stay at home for once?

Apparently we're going to a new holiday house. I just know she's going to keep me inside all weekend. (To be fair, I'll probably cower under the bed all weekend.) And she tells me JEDDAH is going to be there as well. Sheesh. And she wonders why I'm in therapy.

I'm so stressed I threw up my dinner.

Abandoned again

OMG it happened again! Ellen went away and left me - this time for two whole nights. Next time I see a wheelie case, I'm stowing away.

Helen came and fed me this time, once on Saturday morning and then Saturday evening. I had to wait until nearly midday on Sunday for Ellen to come home and feed me after that.

To make sure Ellen didn't sneak off again, I followed her around for the rest of the day on Sunday. Every time I heard the front door open or close, I ran to see. She did leave at about 2:30, and I almost panicked, but she came back again at about 5:00.

How can she do this to me? She knows I'm neurotic enough already; she doesn't need to add to it. This will probably end up with me having yet another case of cystitis and FLUTD - for nearly the 10th time. Well, she can damn well pay the vet fees.

I slept all evening on her lap, while she watched crappy tv. I couldn't help it. I wanted to be near her. Now I'm in perpetual dread that she'll do it again.

on the prowl

Ha! Got to stay out late again tonight. Ellen went out and instead of locking me in, I was out on the prowl. Sooo much nicer than being cooped up inside with nothing to do. I often see my neighbours (primarily white fluffball and ginger cat from down the drive, but also Oscar sometimes) out and about in the driveway after dark. It's like they're having a party but didn't invite me!