The Sheffield Cats Shelter

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.