The Sheffield Cats Shelter

This month’s stories are not at all what I had planned to write about. The picture shows me in my special sheepskin bed that Sandra and Gill brought back from a visit down south. They said they found a wonderful pet shop and they did bring back a bumper bundle of goodies as well as the bed – mostly to eat! I think they thought I would just sniff at the bed and not use it but I’ve gradually been trying it out and I have to say it does fit me very well – curled up like this or stretched out when my legs just touch the far edge. I can also roll in and out of the soft edge rather than having to jump over. The idea was that I could have the bed upstairs by the radiator in Sandra’s office, keeping draughts out and snuggling up when the radiator was not on. This was beginning to work well until...

...I became really quite ill. Yes, having been proud of not going to the vet at all this year since my last booster in the middle of last month I started feeling, and looking, very floppy. My back legs were rather more rocky, my eye was oozing more and – horror of horrors – I was off my food! That’s when we all knew it was serious and we all set out for the vet. On the basis that everything is material for a writer, I hope you will allow me to share my experience with you. You may, of course, find echoes of your own here?

I’m quite well known at the vet as I had my ears amputated there, teeth out, chip in and general well woman treatment while I was at the Cat Shelter. It doesn’t make me feel any better about going but they were all nice – and worried. I thought I’d have a ‘magic’ jab and be back home, alright again, in about 15 minutes. I was very shocked to be told that I’d be staying in all day, having tests, blood samples taken and analysed and an x-ray taken! Sandra and Gill were pretty shocked too! They promised to come back later and collect me.

The rest of the day was rather blurry – having blood samples taken , lying on heat pads to get my temperature up , being sedated for the x-ray and then sleeping the rest of the afternoon. By the time that Sandra came to collect me, I had not really worked off the sedative. At home I could not make my back legs work at all and was slithering around like a seal pup. I was frightened; Ruari was frightened; Sandra and Gill were frightened. I knew where I wanted to get to – my litter tray and my food! They were both brought to me but would you want to sit on the toilet in the sitting room with your family gathered round? With help to hold up my back half (rather like a pantomime horse, I’m told), I reached the utility room , performed , ate a bit and keeled over – in my sheepskin bed , now by the Aga downstairs - to sleep the anaesthetic off properly. Poor Ruari was circling round not knowing what to do – and I smelled so of the vet – eugh!

By the morning I felt a bit stronger but we set off again for the vet to see what the tests, x-rays etc. had shown. The answer was nothing very obvious apart from some arthritis in my hips so some more blood was taken and I did come home this time after, yes, a magic anti-biotic jab and a very stingy pain killer jab plus pills and liquids to take. Was I pleased to be back home, this time with all legs working. Back to food, performance and bed. Apparently I have a virus that is deep inside that will mean that I’m not too good from time to time but I need to make the most of life – and sleep – while I can.

Here’s Ruari’s version.RUARI WRITES: Yes, it was all rather a shock. One minute Suzie was here, clearly not feeling very well, and the next she was away for the day. It was strange having her not by the Aga or on the settee (not bad necessarily if I’m honest but it was oddly quiet – no wailing for lunch for example. When she came back it was really scary – none of us knew what was happening. She was supposed to have the fire on to warm up – when the temperature outside was already pretty high. I tried to get a reaction from her by lying right across the rug in front of the fire but no-one was amused. I did get a lot of attention later in compensation but still felt a bit out of the limelight.

Suzie’s food took even longer than usual to prepare with extra liquid and ground –up pills to add. I have to wait so we have our plates put down together. She did seem to be getting better – but sadly her sense of humour has not improved!

I hear talk of the vet and boosters for both of us but I try to look unconcerned- as here!

I have heard rumours that a few of my more sceptical readers wonder if I am able to stand on my own four paws as you usually see me sitting or lying down. Well to scotch that concern, I thought we would have a bit of role reversal this month. You tend to see Ruari in more active postures than me but even he has to subside from time to time- and he can sleep a long time, especially in the summer when he goes out a lot at night. After breakfast we hardly see him until early evening as he is stretched out his full length on a bed somewhere in the house. He doesn’t even stir for lunch, which I find incomprehensible! He says that he doesn’t need lunch and cats aren’t really built to have that meal. What a silly, juvenile idea! I tell him he will grow out of that false notion when his digestion becomes as delicate as mine. He stretches, yawns, and turns over but I can see the thought bubble coming out of his head...

 Well, isn’t this a nice picture of me pausing very briefly in my favourite activity just for you to see me bright eyed, bushy tailed and on my four paws (although you can see only 3!). I am looking meaningfully at Sandra telling her to hurry up as I have not finished yet. The dish is one of my favourites. A designer piece, bought for me from the Cat Shelter when I was adopted so it is a souvenir of the help and care I received there. Eating is a very serious business and requires intense concentration, particularly when you have no teeth. I prefer mashed to liquidised food as it has more texture and tastes better to me. It needs to be as close to real meat or fish as possible – and even better be real, even if I have to have it mixed with my diet-sensitive packet food and drops of Zantac. Getting older is not for cissies- it is hard work.

It has also to be done carefully. Recently, I was snoozing in the garden hidden under a shady plant, when a crust of bread landed on me. No sooner had the bread landed and woke me up, then Ruari also landed on top of me and sacred me rigid. When I came to enough to realise what had happened, it became clear it was all Sandra’s fault. She had lobbed a crust into the garden from where she was sitting having lunch, leaving it for the creatures in the garden. She had not known I was there – she assured me several times over. Then Ruari heard a sound in the undergrowth, thought it was a mouse, and launched himself from where he was under a plant to try to catch it. He got more than he had bargained for as I was not amused. He was shocked, of course – and all Sandra could do was laugh at us both! I mean to say, how careless – and then to laugh. So inconsiderate. I was very miffed – until tea time beckoned.

In some of the recent lovely weather we have had the outside of the house painted. This has not been too disruptive for me but the smell of paint tends to take the edge off the aroma of my food. Chris, our decorator, is a very nice man (even if he does have a d-o-g that he goes to walk at lunchtime). Chris being here has meant that even if Gill and Sandra are out, I can have the back door open and come and go without using the cat flap. So much more dignified. It is nice having him around to keep me company and he gives me confidence in the garden too. It has been too hot to be in my glass lean- to so I have discovered all sorts of new places to sleep in the garden, moving round with the sun and shade (and keeping away from flying crusts). The best places are, of course, the ones that Ruari has used and I then go and take them over. We have swopped beds in the dining room too as I took a fancy to his bed nearer the back door. Sometimes he can be so generous I almost feel guilty....on that note I had better hand over to him.

RUARI WRITES: Yes, I am a very chivalrous cat most of the time. I didn’t really have time with my mother to learn very much about this sort of thing. It seems to just come naturally, and I see Oscar treat Suzie with great respect as an older female. I also make a point of always saying ‘thank you’ for my meals by just nudging the hand of whoever feeds me. Suzie doesn’t deign to do this. She thinks she deserves to be fed on demand and her enjoyment is enough reward to her feeders but I disagree. I could not take meals for granted at all when I was on the streets as a very small kitten. I don’t think I’ll ever take food for granted, or the people who provide it.

 My picture this month is indeed rather different for me. I quite like sleeping on a landing half way up the stairs. It is cool and everyone passes by so I don’t miss anything – particularly Oscar coming upstairs to bunk down with us sometimes. I’m told that the cat model is called Garfield. He used to purr loudly when you pressed his back but I prefer him quieter. He guards the stairs when I’m not there- and makes a great pillow when I am. I’m going to close my eyes again now. It was a hard night.

This is me being disturbed by the paparazzi while sunbathing under my restructured cold frame/conservatory. I wasn’t asked whether I wanted , or would allow, my picture to be taken while at rest and off duty but then I suppose that it is the price one has to pay for fame through the web site and the constant need to satisfy my readers with new images. I’m fending off “Hello” as I write. They are thinking of a cat edition but I’ll wait until the offer is a little more rounded – like me! (Mind you, the warmer weather even helps me to have less intake but I do have a skin to fill). Unlike other celebs on holiday, I flaunt my physique. Just look at that splendid flank and impeccable grooming.

You will see that I holiday at home, saving countless air miles and with absolutely minimal carbon paw-print and no fears of volcanic ash to disrupt my progress down the garden. I do try to encourage Gill and Sandra to follow my good example but they insist that from time to time they just have to get away from ‘phones, emails, post and responsibility generally and flee home, Sheffield and sometimes the country. I’m not convinced myself but have not managed to prevail yet- even ganging up with Ruari to show just how diverting a break in the garden can be.

So last month was the first foreign holiday of the year. Cases appeared, the name of our main holiday carer began to be mentioned and lots of talk about how little time they would be away. We sigh deeply, make long faces, mope about, sit in the cases and generally try to disrupt the departure but we find the emotional blackmail works by far the best. Gill and Sandra really do hate leaving us. They spend lots of time sorting food, writing notes, leaving details of where they are and vet contacts and letting all the near neighbours know that they will be away and we here. They send us postcards, say they pray and light candles for us daily and think about us whenever they see a cat. But they are still gone – and our food and timing routines are thrown out. I don’t even get my dishes all the time.  

However, I do often manage to eat some or all of Ruari’s food as well as my own as he is often out when the carer comes in. Sandra tries repeatedly to tell me this is wrong/spiteful/ will make me sick- but it is great all the same! Ruari gets very upset and goes down to snack with Oscar and Safi. They take pity on him and their carers are primed to expect him on such occasions! So it all works out really!

When Gill and Sandra return (and it was only a week this time, in fairness, they make a great fuss of us, tidy up all round where we have created devastation on rugs, cushions etc. and give us the right dishes- but stop me eating Ruari's food again! You win some and... . Sometimes we have food presents but we always get bonus rubs and cuddles – me in the bathroom on a swimming costume (dry and wonderfully impregnated with chlorine) and Ruari with Gill in bed. So all back to normal – for a while at least.Here’s Ruari with his version...I’m putting my head back down.

RUARI WRITES: While Suzie sleeps off her ill-gotten food gains at my expense, I keep busy during family holidays looking for the best bet for sleep, play, hunting and nourishment between our house and Oscar and Safi’s place. The picture shows me on the watch, making up my mind where to go next. My friends’ carers are great while ours are away. I get extra snacks but I work them off during the parties and sleepovers we have in our house. Not much sleeping goes on, of course – for Suzie too but she keeps her head down. Oscar and I have races all round the house. Sure we leave a few tell tale signs – but it’s mainly lumps of Oscar’s long hair that gives us away! So we both have some compensation while Gill and Sandra are away – but we don’t like them doing it too often!

Last month I said that the spring was almost upon us. Well since then we have had some days when even I think it is warm enough to sit out and just do what comes naturally to any self respecting cat- snooze in the sun. You can see that I just have an eye slightly open, as well as both ears cocked in case Sandra comes any nearer with the camera, Ruari jumps on the seat or there is any hint of food in the offing. I am slightly ashamed of the background here. Sandra was supposed to have sanded the seat and varnished it by now. Strongly encouraged by me, she has done it since the picture was taken but I’ve not deigned to re-pose for her and she is not skilled enough to retouch the photo! Sigh...I need to have a shot of me enjoying both the Aga and the sunshine together on my stripey towel. Something to look forward to for us all!

 Talking of food – which we almost were and is always my favourite subject, as you know – we have had quite a good month for human visitors which means special meat and fish for us all. Ruari has never learned the taste for real food which I find amazing – but welcome in that there is no competition and more for me. I have to have the food flaked, mashed or processed to cope with my lack of teeth but I hate it like pap – so demeaning and it seems to lose flavour with the texture. It has to be just right!

With the happy prospect of real food to come, I have been gracing the front room with my presence to charm the guests. I see this as playing to the gallery, and don’t want to devalue my allure by appearing too often. However, I hear ‘oohs’ and ‘aahs ‘ when Ruari works the room and I don’t want him to have all the attention. The best moment with human guests is when they leave. I like to see them off the premises to make sure they are really gone. If they show signs of staying too long, I take up position in the hall, howl and/or strafe the carpet which often seems to remind them that they should go soon. Once the door is closed on them, I often get an extra treat of left-overs (for being so charming, of course) while Gill and Sandra do the washing up. Makes all the hard work socialising worthwhile and I sleep very well.That is until Ruari brings in a mouse, or Oscar, or both.

The good weather and balmy nights have encouraged them to be more nocturnal. Then they crash in in the early morning, go mad with the rug and toys if no real mouse has been found , just manage to stay awake long enough to have breakfast – and sleep soundly for most of the day. Ruari will tell you his version below. Make allowances for his ‘purple passages’ of exaggerations. Mind you, I have to admit that his hunting techniques have developed greatly since he was proud of bringing in worms. I’d rather have the catnip variety of mouse. Sandra has brought a new batch back from London recently and they are second only to swimming costumes for a quick, legal, high. The trouble is that Oscar and Saffi like them too and it does not take them long to find that we have new supplies. Sharing toys is so tiresome. It is not as though they bring any of theirs in return although Ruari does ‘share’ their food, I think.

Here’s the ‘tiger cat’ himself (fanfare sounds)...

 RUARI WRITES: There’s no need for Suzie to be so snide. I think she is just jealous. Yes, the worm catching was a long time ago and the last few weeks have seen me catching a vole, mouse and, the one of which I am most proud, a baby squirrel. Sandra is a real pain as if she sees me with a catch; she either takes me or my catch away from the other one. I was having such fun with the squirrel. I only ever want to play with these creatures – hunting, catching and playing. It is instinctive; it’s what centuries of evolution have honed in me. I get praised for my skill – but my prize is taken away – what kind of message is that? These humans are such spoil sports.

Anyway, the hunting and all the extra exercise in the light nights and long days has trimmed me of the winter bulge on my hips and you can see from my camouflage picture above, stalking through the garden jungle, that I am in magnificent shape. Suzie won’t tell you that so I have to, gleaming the while!

Well the spring is really (almost!) upon us and even I am venturing out to see what needs to be done by Sandra and Gill in the garden. I much appreciate having estate managers outside as well as in the house – except when they trim off branches that stick out and serve for ‘message boards’. I can’t see myself the need for this obsessive ‘neatness’ when humans miss so much richness of communication from the  less tidy bits of life. Beginnings of a philosophical treatise there so I’d better lighten up!

Yes, I’ve been in the garden, back and front, putting my mark on top of Ruari’s and keeping him on his toes to override me again. We have even been marking (only with our neck glands) carnations on the dining room table. I found a wonderful ploy to defeat Ruari – chewing off the buds he had marked. How about that for genius?! He was so upset he almost tapped me on the back while I was curled up on ‘my ‘chair. He just refrained, because he is at heart a softee and chivalrous. That’s how I survived so long – appealing to other’s better natures (and better than mine!).

I have been, a few times, performing outside but it has been either wet or cold and the tray is more comfortable still. I’m not any more reliable at thinking ‘inside the box’ but I am neat in my own way and economical on litter and we do recycle papers anyway. There are lots of meaningful conversations with Gill and Sandra, and positive reinforcement but we have more mutual learning to do. Meanwhile we are working together to minimise my fur balls as I change into my spring fur coat. I enjoy the massages as the hair comes off and I finish off.

I have a splendid new collar in red velvet with a diamante heart on the side and a designer label on the catch. It feels lovely and complements my colouring very well.I feel even more confident in asserting myself in front of Saffi and Oscar when they come in to seek a snack. When I’m feeding, even the largest lion would turn tail if he even strayed within 100 metres. I have a deep growl as well as a howl in my repertoire. Scary stuff!I do try to be more generous with Ruari (especially if he leaves me some of his food to vacuum up) but I don’t really like sharing space too closely with him. He has an incriminating picture he insists on showing you, so let’s get it over with...

RUARI WRITES: Yes, here is the picture Suzie did not want you to see – us sharing the rug beside the Aga. I’m getting as close as I dare to her and the really warmest place. She is trying to dissuade the photographer from capturing the happy scene. I said you would all be charmed by her generous side that she tries to keep so well hidden.

I’m really enjoying the longer light days and starry nights. I’m exploring further afield, into the ‘Badlands’ across the road , showing Oscar what I’m made of. I followed Sandra 3 times half way to the newsagent and had the shame of being brought back under her arm. In truth, it was getting a bit scary but I let her know that I was not happy to be carted back unceremoniously. I just go there now when she’s not looking – or asleep. I also like to scare her, and Gill, by leaping into skips and work vans next door. Everyone has to be warned to look out for me, the great explorer.

I thought you’d like to know that I have a new collar too – tan leather with diamond studs and the same designer label. I’m very proud of it; it tones perfectly with my fur. Even better for posing in the sun.

The photograph above shows me very deliberately (not) celebrating Ruari’s 2^nd 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.

STORIES FROM SUZIE – FEBRUARY 2010

Well, has the snow really gone?  I’m starting this month’s blog with a very rare picture of me posing as a snow leopard- at rest!

Since last autumn I have been very sensible, staying inside within a pounce of the Aga and ear cocked for the sound of the gas fire being lit or the central heating timer clicking into operation.  I’ve left it to Ruari to get cold, icy, wet. Ah, the young...Nevertheless I was persuaded to come out near the snow last month for this photo opportunity.  I had been on the snow in a rash moment.  I walked all the way down the garden but it was miserable – wet, cold paws that I had to keep shaking off.  I’m afraid that even the thought of attracting the David Attenborough crew to this rare sighting was not enough for me to repeat the experience.  So treasure the rare photograph.Those of you who have the delight of having adopted older cats know already that we are wise, drawing on years of experience in addition to our native wit.  We know that snow is an alien environment for most cats and slush is particularly disgusting.  Older cats are also calm, enjoy taking their time, respond to gentle massage and well mashed food with delicate flavours and plenty of variety.  We don’t tear wallpaper or fabrics.  We don’t climb curtains. We usually manage to get our way by persuasion, moral blackmail, in my case pitiful moans and the occasional well timed sickness to provoke sympathy.We also learn not to get locked into rooms or leap into empty houses or removal vans. Ruari has a long way to go yet in these departments. He won’t listen, of course – and sometimes I just keep my counsel and see what he will do. Since I last wrote, Ruari has got himself shut in Gill’s study overnight and beyond breakfast the next day.  He does not shout like I would and does like playing hide and seek.  Sandra and Gill were just about to start asking neighbours if they had seen him when they opened the study door and hey presto, out he came!  I have to admire his bladder capacity as there was no mark at all – and he even managed breakfast before dashing out into the garden.  We have new neighbours now next door and we have had to warn them that Ruari lives here and to look out for him. He had already been inside. Sigh....The snow, and the new baby down the road plus new catnip mice, has meant that we have seen more than usual of Oscar and Saffi.  They have come in for long sleeps, running the gauntlet of Ruari’s rough and tumble. He loves to take on Oscar in particular in play fights and they both charge round the lounge before subsiding on different beds.  Oscar and Saffi, being Norwegian Forest Cats, have paws like plates and long hair so manage the snow very well.  Ruari is holding his own with them outside, up trees, over drifts and scaring the birds – as he will tell you later. He doesn’t seem to need as much sleep as they do (no small crying baby here – just me from time to time!) so he gets in some extra play with the catnip mice. It’s his official birthday again this month so we will have a special party again. Sandra is knitting....The heating has come on so I’m off to the radiator. Here’s Ruari in person.

RUARI WRITES: Apart from the study episode, I’ve had a great month.  Daily challenges outside for an adventure cat like me, lots of playing with Oscar (and rebuffs from Saffi, sadly), discovering that I like Parma ham and Felix jelly trays in fish and meat varieties. I’ve also had great fun stalking the birds as we have been feeding them more in the cold. Sandra clears the path, puts food out, the birds gather – and I watch and dare them to come down until I get bored and let them feed. Once I sabotaged Sandra’s snow clearing by pulling the cleared snow back onto the path and covering the food.  Neat, eh? Even Oscar was impressed.  

Now, about my birthday...

Hello again. Firstly, very warm greetings to you all for the New Year. I hope it sees many more of you with delightful companions like me (and, well, Ruari too I suppose). The cats and the staff will be looking forward to having adoptions start again. I’m delighted to be able to give you an early update on my news. There is nothing staler than a pre- Christmas newsletter in early January.

You remember that I was telling you how reluctant I was to pose for Christmas photographs? Well, the one I’m using this month has my formal approval. I think it is quite artistic. I look very striking in the dimmed light, tempted to the table by a very nicely smelling meat dish and soon about to insist (successfully) that I should have some too. No, not at the table. The plates are not easy for me to eat from without teeth!

I was ready in good time with my presents, commissioned from each carer for the other, all wrapped up and under the tree.  Ruari was determined to find a nice mouse for Sandra and Gill. He left it to the very last minute and they came down on the morning of Christmas Eve to find him glued to the ‘fridge, pawing under it and alongside it. They immediately suspected a mouse – so his surprise was blown – and he spent all day on vigil but uncovering only piles of fluff. No mouse to be seen. No present to wrap. After the mouse had not appeared by the end of Christmas Day (and Ruari’s patience was running out), Sandra and Gill set about moving the ‘fridge out and cleaning behind it. Still no mouse or obvious escape route so it became a mystery present, undelivered – but the kitchen is much cleaner! Mouse 1; Ruari 0.

Despite this debacle, Ruari still got as many Christmas presents as me- which seems unfair to me. We had quite a pile, including two sets from d-o-g-s. My favourite was a bright pink Polartec blanket. No sooner was it in my box when I jumped in and slept for 3 hours. Well, you have to give it a god test. You can see me in it, in the bonus picture, with another present of the shiny mice. Don’t you think it provides a good context for my colouring?

I’ve kept well indoors during the snow and ice. Ruari has been out and about as usual, getting cold, wet and tired. The young....but then he has also met a new friend...RUARI WRITES: That’s my story, let me tell it. You’ve had your fun with the mouse (Yes of course there was one!). Not only have Oscar and Saffi had a baby (human) sister, Juliet, but I have just met a handsome black and white cat in their garden. We have exchanged much mewing, stares and looking away, and I’m out a lot looking for it again. I hope to be able to tell you more in a later edition.

I have had a great Christmas. The open fire was on a lot. The tree gave me (and Oscar) a constant source of things to knock off, hide underneath and we could fall asleep watching the lights. Taking it down was as much fun as putting it up! I have a blanket too and new biscuits plus a long tailed striped lion. I’m already missing Christmas but the days are getting longer and it will be my second (official) birthday next month. All the very best for 2010.

I have been delayed in writing this month’s stories as my carers have been waiting to try to capture a suitably seasonal picture of me to head them up. Well, they have waited in vain so far as I have seen so many Christmases come and go that I let humans get on with it without playing with their tinsel, rocking the tree, eating decorations, shredding wrapping paper looking for my present or clawing the backs of the chairs for attention. My carers have had all this with Ruari (and their previous cats) so they feel nicely festive and I can just close my eyes and wait peacefully for the next meal- calling loudly for it if it is fractionally late. (I’m ace at telling the time – and usually running my body clock rather fast!)

My humans think that a picture of me asleep by the Aga/radiator/gas fire would not be very interesting to you all. I have therefore selected the first publicly available picture of me that appeared after our adoption in the Cats’ Shelter Newsletter. Yes, I know it looks as though I am asleep but I am actually overcome with excitement at the toys that generous friends have given me. This is the really exciting part of Christmas – especially after minced turkey with a hint of bacon...ahhhh.

We have been getting in training for the busy time over Christmas with people already coming and going, fire on in the lounge – and we have been visited by a d-o-g! She was very small, had curly black hair and was called Poppy. I was introduced, at a safe distance, but showed complete indifference. By far the best way to deal with that species - of any size. Ignore them and they’ll go away eventually. Can’t have them thinking they are in any way superior or deserving of attention. Ruari, and his friend Oscar, have not learned this skill yet. Ruari froze - Oscar fled; no help to Ruari at all. I have to give it to Ruari, he may be naive but he did not back off. After a few barks and hisses, they both were rather fascinated with each other and at the end of the evening were having a staring contest from adjacent chairs. To be fair to Poppy, she did bring us a catnip mouse each which was thoughtful. Four humans to one dog, and on the lead, is about the right ratio for our security, I think.

Other excitements have included Ruari spending the night and morning in the cellar. He must have shot down while our carers were putting things away and they shut the door without knowing he was there. I would have bawled and scraped and thumped the door but he just kept quiet, expecting to be found. He was, the next morning just when a search outside was about to start as he had not appeared for breakfast. He was hungry, of course, and spent a long time cleaning himself.  Did I know he was there? Could I have had him rescued earlier? I’ve kept very quiet on the subject and I’m not telling you either!

The other activity we have both been up to is bed-swopping. I recommend this game. It confuses humans and can form non-violent retaliation for e.g. taking one’s place by the Aga. Ruari thinks that he has a right to lie by the Aga sometimes at the warmest spot. He looks so annoyingly innocent too! I stalk off, huffing loudly, and sit on his quilt on the settee. Later, he sleeps in my bed on the chair, so I move to his bed ...and so on. Quite a few variations can be played over time. By the morning we have usually reached the point of playing tag round the dining room and kitchen, interrupted by breakfast. Phew! Good exercise- more room for the next meal! Talking of tag, Ruari is approaching, looking determined to take over the laptop....I hope you all have a plentiful Christmas.

RUARI WRITES: You’ve had quite enough “Bah, humbug” from Suzie. I’m sure you don’t believe everything she writes anyway but that cellar episode: just an overnight exercise for my first stage Duke of Edinburgh award. I had a great tale to tell Oscar. Yes, Oscar was a wimp with Poppy – I made sure he knew that. She was alright, I suppose, for a d-o-g. It will be fun to see how she can play in the garden next year. I’ll lead a tree climbing session, I think!! Talking of trees, I don’t buy this pseudo, 'unmoved about Christmas stuff’. I think it’s great. I help to decorate and there are all these extra things to play with. Look at my golden eyes shining by our tree in my picture for this month. Don’t we both look good? All best wishes to you and yours this Christmas.

Suzie and Ruari - December 2009 

Hello again everyone. This month I’m experimenting by writing my contribution by positive thought signals while continuing to lie as close as I can get to the warming oven of the Aga. I keep being told that the weather (as I write) is un-seasonally mild but the central heating turned off is NOT good just as I was getting used to it again. Despite my carers still braving sitting in the garden, I’ve said farewell to the cold frame for this year. Yes the leaves are pretty but with my narrowing blood vessels I don’t want to hang about too long to admire them. The litter tray by the boiler is coming into its own again but my carers don’t appreciate my new challenge to relieve my bladder (polite phrase for my readership) just at the edge of the tray without dirtying the litter at all. They tell me that they keep having to change the papers underneath, disinfect the floor and tray and that I should definitely not think out of the box. How difficult to be an experimental, conservationist, pioneer when you meet with such discouragement!Back to the brain waves straight to the brain (well, mind) of my assistant and on to the computer. It seems to be working well, doesn’t it? You may like to try this at home? I’m going to extend it next to attracting lunch...The highlight of the month was my ‘official birthday’. The photograph above shows me in ecstatic exhaustion , high on catnip from my new Culpepper catnip mouse, next to my card with a picture so like me as a kitten (with pointy ears) and my special cup cake and candle. I got some help blowing out the candle (what a strange activity!) and eating the cup cake. I prefer prawns when they are on offer, nicely chopped up, with a little tuna on the side and delicate senior biscuits.No one, not even me, knows how old I am. In human terms I am told that I’m around 15 but we don’t know my birthday and I can’t remember ever having a party before. My carers thought that I should have an ‘official birthday ‘like someone called the “Queen”. I thought ‘Queens’ were cats but I’m told this one has a crown, lives in a big house and has a strange breed of DOG! Anyway, I like the idea of her special birthday. We celebrated it one year after Ruari and I were adopted. That seems a very long time ago. I was terrified of the big, unfamiliar house but I was coaxed from behind the settee by some nice food – and the rest is history!Mentioning Ruari, I suppose some of you will be wondering how he is? Well, he has his friend Oscar in today. Oscar is asleep upstairs after a big wrestling match. I think Ruari lost as he is asleep in the lounge rather than up with Oscar but neither seem to bear any scars – outwardly at least. Ruari is no longer a kitten but he still tries to get away with kittenish behaviour, especially at breakfast when we spar for attention. I’ll relax the thought patterns and let him in.

RUARI WRITES : No I DID NOT LOSE to Oscar. I let him think he’d won as a polite gesture to a guest. Oscar, and his sister Sapphie, are soon to have a small human to join them in their family. We don’t quite understand how this is going to happen but it has something to do with his Mummy being very fat. My photo this month shows what looks like Suzie and me working out what to write for the web site but it is actually me seeing how close I can edge to Suzie before she feels intimidated and lets fly at me. It’s good reflex training for me and keeps her on her toes!