Almost an angel

I promised a full report of the week at the island. I must say I was a VERY good girl for the whole week. Even when Ellen had friends there, I behaved myself. I didn't attack anyone, I slept quietly on a chair, ate when food was offered . . .

. . . well, OK I might have taken a swipe at one of Ellen's friends, but he shouldn't have come so close. What can I say? I like my space. I'm quite happy to coexist with humans, so long as they leave me alone. Unless I'm begging them for attention; then it's OK to get close!

I even used my litter tray for the entire week. Ellen got the idea eventually and changed it every two days. It did take a spot of illegal urination -- on the carpet in her parents' bedroom -- for her to get the message though. She really was not too happy I did that. But I went down to the litter tray, scratched around in it, and just couldn't bring myself to use it. Anyway, she had to clean it up in the early hours of the morning. She poured something called 'Carpet Power' on it, and it seemed to do the trick. After that, she changed the litter quite regularly!

The days in the house were quite idyllic, really. On the sunny days, Ellen opened the doors onto the deck and I was able to get out and breathe fresh air, feel the sun on my shoulders. Very pleasant.

So I survived the week, as you see. Even the long drive there and back -- I even managed to sleep at one point! No dramas at all. I am very happy to be home again though, able to patrol my garden and torment the other cats in the driveway. Nevertheless, going on holiday is getting less and less traumatic each time.

Happy to be home

Coming home is always wonderful. I couldn't believe it when we pulled up outside the house. I was itching to get out of my carry case, but when I did I couldn't decide what to do first!

Since it was dinner time, hunger made me eat as a priority, but after that I was free to run outside and explore the garden, and the front driveway, and every room in the house . . .

Finally I could go outside.

I did go outside a bit at the island, but these adventures were confined to the large upstairs deck from which I couldn't escape. But on the sunny days, it was very pleasant to lounge about and at least watch the birds, even if I couldn't chase them. (Anyway, they were too stupid to know that I couldn't get them, so I had fun terrorising them from afar.)

So now everything is back to normal.

Bags packed

I just found out that we're going to the island on a holiday for a whole week! I don't know whether to be apprehensive, or grateful that I'm not getting left behind on my own. Will post a full report upon our return in a week.

Spoil sport

Had a new toy for a very short time. My mistake was sneaking inside with it. E got the wind up and worked out I was being sneaky. She crept over and snatched away my new toy and took it outside before I was done playing with it!

How did she know I had a toy? Maybe it was the way I bolted into a secret corner . . . Toys that move are so cool. If she had have been nice about it, I would have let her play too.

Instead, she's such a spoil sport.

In the dark

Something is going on. I can sense it. Am I being paranoid?

Winter woes

We are having a very cold and wet winter. I don't go outside much at the moment. Instead I stay inside all day on my cushion. And right now I am happily curled up on Ellen's lap. So comfy and warm, even if she will clack away at the computer for hours -- I can hardly get her to focus on my blog!

Yesterday, though, my door got stuck and I was trapped outside all day! It was very miserable. Not even the knowledge that white fluffball was similarly afflicted could make it worthwhile. I was so happy when Ellen came home!

Still got short whiskers

The vet newsletter today was about feline obesity. I'm really worried Ellen is going to put me on a diet again. I saw her looking closely at my whiskers to see if they'd grown longer. As you probably know, my whiskers are exactly as wide as me. You'd think I would know if they'd grown longer and I can tell you they haven't! It's bad enough having to eat the bladder-friendly food, without being on a diet.

If only she loved me

You would think that if Ellen really loved me, she'd let me chew her wrist. Wouldn't you? All I want is to be near her, but whenever I jump up on her desk she bats me away. I don't think she loves me at all.

Making a point

This morning, just to show that I am no problem cat (hissss), I used my litter tray. I could have gone on the floor, because the litter was, after all, not brand new and clean . . . but I didn't. Normally I would wait until E opened the cat door and go outside. But not today!

Problem cat

Ellen is threatening to purchase this book and apply the principles. I confess I'm miffed.

See here for more information.

My cry is heard!

Someone has finally heard me! That Scribbly is an absolute champion. Friend for life. Almost as good as Cheeky.

See Scribbly's letter to me here.

I am considering her suggestion that I save for an airfare to attend Madame Adelaide Bonfamille's mansion in Paris, which has been set up as a cat refuge/resort/spa (for unwanted, undeserved and maltreated cats). I will research the topic.

PS - Dear Scribbly, thanks for your letter! It's nice to have someone on my side for once. I'm going to make Ellen rent out the Aristocats movie, because I have never even seen it!

Peruvian penpal

Ellen's friend Lita has found me a Peruvian penpal! His name is Cheeky.

I think Ellen is feeling guilty about Leonidas (the usurper snow leopard), so she thought she'd better encourage me to have a life of my own. But I have to say she's done well here! He's a fine feline specimen, isn't he! Far better looking than the dreadful ginger cat down the driveway. I daresay I shall dream of Cheeky tonight.

Ellen says that Cheeky is keeping Lita company at the hostel where she's staying in Cusco, Peru. (I wonder how far away that is? Do you think I'll ever meet Cheeky?) Lita took this photo out her window.

Leonidas the usurper

I am at my wits' end. I don't know what to do. Ellen has taken one of those daemon tests and found out her daemon is a snow leopard! A beautiful cuddly white (rather attractive actually) snow leopard called Leonidas. How can I compete with that?

It's all the fault of these blasted books by some stupid fantasy author, who wrote about a world where humans have animal familiars that are across between their soul and a best friend. They say that in our world they're invisible, but they're there. Now that I know, how will I ever feel secure again? She could dump me anytime for her invisible gorgeous snow leopard.

Leonidas. I hate him! I'm Ellen's best friend. How could she do this to me?

To dream of golden fishes

This is what the fish look like in China. Can you imagine a place where the fish (licks lips) look like this? The cats there must be so fat. Just looking at this picture makes me salivate and drool. I can barely think straight. I will dream tonight of golden fishes.

But why are these fish acting so demented?

Boring weekend

I have had the most BORING weekend.

Normally on weekends, I get to have some company. Not that I want company all the time, mind you, but every once in a while it is nice to have someone to talk to other than the stupid possums and cats in the driveway (who I wouldn't want to talk to anyway).

But this weekend? Company? NO! I was abandoned for the entire three days (for it was a long weekend). Yesterday I had to wait until midnight to get some food! And now she goes back to work tomorrow, and I'll be left home alone again.

Doesn't she realise that I need diversion and entertainment?

Did you know . . .?

I'm copying this from the vet newsletter, and Ellen might get sued, but that'll be her problem.

A cat can jump as much as seven times its height.
A cat will never break into a sweat because it has no sweat glands.
A cat’s sense of taste is keener than a dog’s sense of taste.
A group of adult cats is called a clowder.
A group of kittens is called a kindle.
A cat will spend nearly 30% of its life grooming itself.

Canine for a worthy cause

Survived the weekend with Jeddah. One of the highlights was watching him terrorize the other cats in the driveway -- white fluffball and ginger cat both scampered away like kittens!

As for me and Jeddah, well, we get along OK. He knows who's boss, that's for sure. So long as he doesn't get in my way, he doesn't get hurt.

I was a bit miffed, though, that he monopolised my garden all day. It's much better now he's gone. But for what he did to those other moron cats . . . definitely worth it!

Uninvited guest

Great. Jeddah is here.

I bet he invited himself; Ellen would never, that's for sure!

Apparently he's staying for the entire weekend. How come HE got to sit on the sofa with his head in Ellen's lap all evening?

1/2 a measly cup

I seem to be on a diet again. It's the only way I can explain the lack of FOOD. For a few months, all I had to do was smooch and grovel -- plus throw in the occasional scratch-attack -- and food would appear. But now the extra has stopped again. Doesn't she know it's winter and I need MORE food, not less? How I am supposed to survive on 1/2 a measly cup of food per day? I need to keep up my strength!

Ants

The past few days, I've been plagued by ants in my food bowl. Who do they think they are, the itty bitty bastards? There have been thousands of the creepy crawly critters, swarming all over my food.

It made me vomit.

It's also made me wonder, though, what they think they're trying to achieve? It's not like they can really carry individual food pellets. Are they trying to break bits off and carry them away? Or do they plan to team up and become pall bearers -- four ants per coffin . . . er, I mean food pellet?

More to the point, I thought ants only came out when rain was coming (and there's been little sign of rain . . . ). Where do they come from? Where do they go? WHY do they like MY food?