Suzie's summer slumber - June 2010
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.
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!