An antique today: my childhood friend Amanda (left) sent me this 1976 photograph of us in her parents’ kitchen. Neither of us has any idea where the cats came from; they weren’t Amanda’s.
An additional point of interest – apparently the framed picture on the wall behind us is Amanda’s own portrayal of Satan burning in the fires of Hell. At least, that’s what she tells me.
We both remember with confidence that my nylon skinny-rib jumper was acid-yellow.
We had a big adventure today. A little background is needed; my love of Siamese cats was born in 1970, when I was five. My parents bought a male red-point, which they called Candle and he won our hearts overnight. He was a retriever, enjoyed riding in the car (loose) and adored a good trip out. Mum and dad took him to Richmond Park (where he chased red deer, years before Fenton the dog) and even the beach.
Knowing that some Siamese are just as intrepid as Candle and certain that Percy is the boldest kitten I have ever had, I took him on a 15-mile ride to visit my mum today. He was brilliant! He enjoyed having a new house to sniff, weed in his travelling litter tray and gave lots of affection to my mum, who he hadn’t yet met. Percy’s reward was a whole slice of poached salmon. We humans enjoyed a thoroughly retro game of Trivial Pursuit.
I don’t plan to take him to any parks, but am pondering which of my nearby friends would enjoy a visit from young Mr Percival.
I promised my friend Lynda that I would post this picture today. It’s Jo’s devastatingly handsome stud male Rio. He is a very friendly and affectionate boy, but because he’s a full male, he can be very liberal with his stinky urine. Jo’s partner has built Rio a lovely run outside with a warm house and lots of toys, but all of them enjoy it when he comes in the house for the evening.
This is where kitty pants come in. A brain box somewhere in the USA invented strap-on nappy pants for boy-cats. If Rio wears his, he is allowed to come in the house and socialise. In the photograph he is trying to hide them with his tail, but we know they’re there, don’t we?
I’m enjoying my half-term holiday, especially when I have the leisure for a double-cuddle with Milka and Percy.
Handsome Milka enjoying the sunshine.
This is Polly, who climbed into Annalise’s school bag. She was spotted and didn’t get taken to school. None of us at our house are at school tomorrow, because it’s half term, hard-earned and very welcome. Even John is off work. Happy days.
Lovely Lynda sent me this photograph of a very contented Fudge enjoying this afternoon’s sunshine.
Percy catching some zzz on my lap just now. Looking forward to lots of half-term cuddles and games.
Jo sent me this photograph of Rosa at home earlier this evening. Ross’s at the back and her sister Astrah is in the foreground. John and I are so relieved that she has instantly settled back in. We look forward to hearing that she’s re-gained the weight she lost while she was unhappy at our house and that the sore skin on her tummy has healed again. It was a well-meant, but failed attempt to re-home her, which we hope has no lasting consequences.
No time tonight to tell the story properly, but it suddenly became a question of health, so we took Rosa back to Jo this evening. She is reunited with her mum and other sister and was instantly a happy girl. I am now confident that she will be fine. You see her in today’s picture looking sad and unhappy before we set off.
A Cat A Day 