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
