The photograph above shows me very deliberately (not) celebrating Ruari’s 2nd official birthday last month. I managed to be asleep very soundly (or at least look as though I was) throughput his candle lighting, present opening and singing of “Happy Birthday”. To add to the insult, I was curled up on his bed on his Christmas present blanket. I have taken a liking to ‘his’ settee for the last two months. It is slightly less high to jump up to but I like it mainly because it is/was ‘his’.
You may have discovered by now that I’m not a wholly sympathetic character. I can look winsome, and be delightful (especially after good meals) but I have this great need to assert myself and make sure that I’m alright. I think I really would like to be an only cat, the undisputed centre of attention all the time. I also , as a ‘grande dame’, get rather nervous of Ruari bouncing about, racing round the room and up and down the garden, and having play fights with Oscar or stand offs with Saffi. I know he is still only a teenager, and is really a nice natured young cat (not a hoody or a bully) but I get upset when I can’t handle the activity and can’t react or move as quickly as he can. Sandra and Gill room came down one morning to see the results of the party trick gone slightly wrong. Ruari has learned to climb up right to the top of the pantry by way of a working surface, microwave and shelf en route. It took him slightly longer to learn how to climb down but now he’s mastered both and wanted to show Oscar. They had not bargained for a basket of shredded paper on the top shelf. I was keeping my head down in bed but heard a crash and the basket and all its paper contents were all over the floor. Sandra and Gill laughed – and were more concerned that Ruari and Oscar were unhurt but Ruari was embarrassed. Oscar had long gone! The electrician and decorator have been fun for the boys with furniture moved, rolls of paper to play with, floor boards up. You guessed it – Ruari got shut in again, twice. At least he was not trapped under the floor. Everyone was briefed to watch for that! The young these days do seem to take a long time to learn the basics. Talking about basics, I have been causing some perplexity myself as from time to time I ‘think outside the box’ when it comes to performing in – or rather outside- the litter tray. I am quite capable of performing inside. I just flip from time to time, it seems. Sandra and Gill think it might be associated with doing two performances during the night sometimes and me wanting to keep the litter (and my feet?) dry the second time? If you have any enlightenment from your experiences, we would all like to know what the cause(s) might be and how to help avoid it. None of us like all the soggy newspaper round about!On that happy note, I’ll hand over to Ruari to tell you about the birthday party I ‘missed’.
RUARI WRITES: It was not only Suzie who was tired on my birthday. With Sandra and Gill’s commitments, we had the party late in the afternoon and I was on a nap rhythm that day. It was all I could do to keep my eyes open and try to look interested in my card, the blanket Sandra had knitted and a new catnip mouse and ball. I still like candles but I had learnt since last year (just to show Suzie) that putting a paw in the flame hurts. I admired from a distance. You can see my array of presents in the picture.
I was toasted with champagne (I liked to smell and the bubbles) and then keeled over in Suzie’s bed, as was. I like her Polartec blanket and I’ve taken the very mature decision not to protest at her assuming supremacy on the settee. I’m quite active at night anyway – as you’ve heard above - and especially now it is getting lighter and warmer. Following Oscar’s example, I’ve discovered that duvets are great day beds. Come to think of it, I’ll head there now for a bit before going out again.
