Part 1: Our Holiday by Morgan

Sorry we haven't posted recently. We were just getting over Christmas when the suitcases came out. Scooby was bemused but me being the cleverer one (obviously) knew what was going on straight away. They call it a holiday. I have a long memory of these holidays; Katty leaves us at home when she goes. It makes me sad and Katty always looks sad too. Apart from the suitcases there are ways to tell when a holiday is coming. Firstly we get spoilt. Katty gets guilty and I hear shouting. She tells us she loves us a lot... Scooby has just said she always tells us she loves us and though that’s true instead of telling us 5 times a day, she tells us 10. It’s a bad sign when she says that she would never ever let anything bad happen to us, that usually means that something is going to happen. She whispers it in my ear at the vet. The last sign is when the cat flap won't let you out. Usually in the morning its locked but it's not the morning it's the early evening. That’s when I panic. It happened last time when I went to the vet to get my scar and the time before to get prodded and poked at the vets so I think we are going to the vets but then Scooby isn’t allowed out either. We have never gone to the vets together before. Is this better or worse? I don’t know. I look at Scooby to see what he thinks but he’s never been a cat bowl of information it’s me who usually sniffs something being wrong first. I here the word cattery said again and again and I wonder if that has something to do with it.After a while The Cage comes out. This is bad news. The Cage emerges just before we go in the car usually. The Cage is my cue to hide. As I stand looking it disappears. In its place a body starts coming nearer to me. I don’t care whose it is. I leg it. Across the front room, behind the sofa, stop… take a breath, peep out from behind. No-one that way. I turn round and see a dark shadow. Out from behind the sofa, under some chairs. The chairs move and I run into the path of another person. That person, I don’t even look who it is, tries shoving me in the The Cage. Paws and legs outstretched they can’t get me in. I use my body to push up and wriggle as much as I can. They give up and put Scooby in there. Scooby’s not as much as a pro as me. He wriggles as well but it’s in vain. For obvious reasons, we only have one of The Cage. Scooby’s in that so I think I don’t have to worry but they try to get me in a cardboard box. I feel defeated – momentarily. The close the lid so I can’t jump up. There are little holes in the side big enough for me to put my paws through and see out and that gives me an idea… If I can’t get out the top I’ll have to get out the side. I’ll push my way out. Katty was absolutely gob smacked she told me later. Using the force of my body I ripped a nice Morgan sized hole in the side of it (I’m proud) and go and sit victoriously on the top of the stairs. No-one chases me, no-one calls my name. I lie purring. I hear the front door open and bangs shut as usual. The voices go and the car starts up. It’s a victory for Morgan… …I thought so anyway. Mum came back 10 minutes later for me. She threw me in the cage quicker than you could say “catnip.” Katty wasn’t with her. Has she taken her to the same place she’s taking me? We draw up at a house. No mention of vets just holidays. I was carried through in the open air but I could sniff the resident cats there. I was finally rested in a warm room. I could smell the previous cats who had been there but it wasn’t a smell of fear like at the vets, it was more of… food. Yes, it smelt of food and it was cosy and nice but it wasn’t home. Katty tried to tempt me with some food – ham, but I was too busy exploring. I could see Scooby next to me but a glass wall separated us. I was very inquisitive. It looked nice enough but what was it all about? I couldn’t understand. I looked at Katty for reason. She just looked sad. She whispered words to me but I didn’t want to hear she gave up and went next door to Scooby who had already (surprise, surprise) settled down in his bed. After a while mum spoke. Katty looked even sadder. It made me sad. Where was I? Why was I here? I had questions rushing through my head. I looked at the person who could perhaps answer them – Katty – but with little more than a goodbye she was already gone.

Where are they and what is a holiday? Find out next Thursday in Part 2 of my tail

Christmouse 2006

This Christmouse has been very exhausting but we’ve been very lucky too. We got plenty of presents too, lots of catnip treats from our friends Frodo and Freyr (and Maeve), and they also bought us a feathery play thing and MORE catnip. We got treats from Mum and Dad, our friend Abigail over the road bought us a mouse (we presume this is the Christmouse) and we also got a blue pyramid to attack. We had our stockings and got lots of presents in there too. It just gets better. We were so excited on Christmouse Eve looking up the chimney for Santa especially me because I’ve had more Christmouse’s here than Scooby and I’m 3 months older so as you can imagine I’m 3 times more cleverer. We thought on Christmouse day we might get a mouse for dinner but we didn’t so it was a bit disappointing. Last Christmouse I got a bird for Katty. I left it in the kitchen so when she came back at noon from going somewhere she would have it as a surprise. As it turned out it really upset her – how ungrateful can you get? Then she insisted on conducting one of her funerals so that ruined the day so I didn’t bother this year. I thought what is the point in getting something that is not appreciated. I’m not going to waste my time. I bet you can’t believe unappreciative she is. The amount of times I’ve bought mice and birds in for her and she is not happy. It’s the thought that counts I think… well as long as the thought has some catnip on top of it. I hope you had a purry Christmouse and have a very happy new year.

Getting ready for Christmouse

It has been very tiring this week watching Katty sorting out Christmouse presents and writing cards so that is why we haven’t posted recently. There has been some heavenly catnip smell coming from certain areas in the house but she says we have to be patient. I have never heard the word patient before and I don’t know what it means. Apparently we have to wait if we want to be patient. Wait? I don’t like the sound of that. Morgan feels the same (finally something we agree on!). I have torn up a lot of paper this week that Katty has been playing with. She has also cut up lots of photos of me and Morgan and put them in cards. She says she has sent one to my sisters, Mitsy and Jasmine. She asked me if I would like to meet my sisters – I said no. Competing with Morgan for food is bad enough let alone another two of me. I still miss my mum though and so does Katty, that’s what she says anyway.I have put my Christmouse photo (and Morgan’s) on the blog for everyone too see. I think I look dazzling and the tinsel just complements my elegance and superiority. Any comments on this would be greatly appreciated. We will post again before Christmouse and sorry for the lateness of our post.

Ode To The Tree (Recovered)

Ode to the tree

This week is National Tree Week (22nd November to 3rd December) in commemorating this and taking into account that I’ve had the funnest time of my life up trees I have created the following Ode to the Tree
Oh tree, oh tree
How I love climbing thee
And nearly reaching the sky
I run up your chest
In feline zest
And pretend that I can fly.

Oh tree oh tree
I’m nearly three
And still it makes me gladder
When I make a meow
Whilst on your bow
So my human has to go get the ladder

Oh tree oh tree
It’s so funny
When they climb up your trunk so brown
They pant and they puff
On their face they look
A picture when I run down.

Advent treats for Morgan

I can’t believe my luck. Now Katty is giving us treats in the morning as well as at night. She says something about advent? Whatever that is I don’t know but if it means we’re getting more food it has to be good. I kind of remember the same thing happening last year but then it stopped – after a day of pigging out. This advent thing has a bad side though. It's so windy. I hate the wind. My fur and whiskas start blowing and I lose myself. Humans don't like it either. I hear them cursing as they walk down the street and I think if you don't like the weather stay in all day like me. Though humans are a bit like blind newly-born kittens when it comes to common sense so I feel sorry for them really more than anything.
All week I’ve not been up to much except posing for our Christmas photos. Every Christmas you see Katty takes a photo of me and Scooby and sends it to all our friends. She also takes us one on our birthday with our cake. It’s quite exhausting you know all this being handsome. After my trauma my face is more or less back to normal and the humans have stopped fussing over it – but they do keep telling me I am as gorgeous as ever. I knew that even when I was a kitten however I still love people saying so. And to put my mind at rest can anyone explain to me what a cattery is? I’ve heard that word so many times over the last few days spoken by mum and dad after saying Scooby and my name but I don’t know what it is or whether it is good or bad. Shall I purr or growl? I just don’t know.

Ode to Trees

Today is part of National Tree Week (22nd November - 3rd December) as I overheard Katty saying. As many of my friends know, me and trees go back a long way. In my first 6 months, I got stuck up no less than 6 trees and had to be rescued in a very dramatic ways (thank you Jacqui, Rosalind's dad, Sue, Steve, Amanda x2 and everyone else who watched/co-ordinated the rescue missions).Therefore I thought it would be appropriate to write a lovely tribute to them (the trees). Ode to Trees Oh tree, oh tree How I love climbing thee And nearly reaching the sky I run up your chest In feline zest And pretend that I can fly. Oh tree oh tree I’m nearly three And still it makes me gladder When I make a meow Whilst on your bow So my human has to go get the ladder Oh tree oh tree It’s so funny When they climb up your trunk so brown They pant and they puff On their face they look A picture when I run down.

Survive Your Diet the Scooby Way

I am going through every feline’s worst nightmare. I’m on a diet. I have lost .3 in 2 weeks and I can feel the difference already. I am much colder. I have learnt many tricks though to keep the food intake up. I have written here my top 10 for any other poor cat who is put on a diet: 1. Identify the soft-touch. This human will give you food no matter what, no matter when and all you have to do is put on your ‘deprived’ look 2. Sit forlornly next to your food bowl. Even daft humans will understand this demand 3. Jump on the cupboards. They will bribe you with anything just to get you off. 4. Every cat knows that coming through the cat flap immediately entitles you to some food. Go out and come in every 5 minutes 5. Place yourself at your human’s feet when they are eating. Food rains down on you 6. Seductively fall down and roll over in a doorway and wait for someone to come and stroke you then as they touch you get up and go to your bowl 7. When you see someone walk into the kitchen run after them and catch them up. When they try to walk out stand in front of the door 8. Wrap yourself round somebody’s feet and follow them around. This doesn’t work for lazy humans. 9. If you’re unlucky enough to have a brother like me, turn it into a positive and eat his dinner too 10. If all else fails, go to your other homes and repeat steps 1-9 there. Good luck

Scooby's CATastrophe (part 2)

I go dizzy at the mere suggestion… or perhaps it has something to do with the pinprick in my back. Either way I go into shock. I look at Katty plaintively and she gives me a kiss. Well that’s a good sign anyway. I go and sit next to her. Hoping that’s the end but no. One more thing, my mouth is opened and I get a tablet in my mouth. Thrown in like the way Morgan throws the mice around. The cage is lifted onto the table and I can’t get in quick enough. A refuge. A haven. I hear the word diet several times. Katty tells me afterwards that I put on 0.5kg (1.1lbs). My weight is now 5.7kg (12.5lbs). Well done I think but apparently the vet isn’t pleased. I go on the move again hopefully homeward bound. I smell another cat behind me but Katty turns the cage around so I can’t see. I think really it’s because she doesn’t want to make the other cat jealous by showing how handsome I am. I get put down and then picked up. I go out in the fresh air. I breathe it in. There’s so many smells its confusing but I don’t have time to filter them as I get put in the car. It’s always best to be inside the car I think rather than the outside. On the inside you don’t get hurt. We drive through bumps and holes and finally reach home. Home. The words have never sounded so sweet. I am lifted out and carried into the house. I smell Morgan. He’s probably come to take the micky out of me. But no, he looks at me sympathetically – well for a moment anyway and then he bites my tail. I’m in no mood to play. I’ve had the shock of my life. I need to digest what’s just happened – literally I decide. I sit in front of my bowl hoping someone will take pity on me. Nothing. I feel too hopeless to persist and go and look outside the window. I am a broken cat. As I am sitting there I reminisce about my relationship with food. For every memory I’ve got, I recall the food that went with it. When I was in hospital for example I had dry food. It was boring. So tasteless and sad. Just how I felt. I remember my mum’s warm milk. So warm and luscious. I miss my mum. She’d laugh at me that I’m on a diet. She ate like me but she was still so thin. Lucky mum. I was getting very upset and I needed to comfort myself. I went in the only place that understands me. The food cupboard. How is Scooby going to cope? Find out next Saturday.

Morgan's scar

Scooby won't be happy that I'm interrupting his cliffhanger but I had a traumatic few days and a scar to prove it. Anyway Scooby always interrupts my meals so I'll get my own back. I had been feeling sleepy for a while and humans kept coming to see me. I liked having attention lavished on me usually but not now. I wanted to be left alone. I went down to eat and got hauled into the cage. I was very shocked. Katty took me to the vets. She was very worried my face had got larger, like a hamsters pouch she said. The vet prodded and poked my swelling and then stuck an injection in my face. Then I sort of lost half my face. I couldn't feel. The vet did something with a scalpel and now I have a gaping wound in the side of my face. It was very shocking. I was traumatised. What would the girls think of me now? My handsome face was scarred forever. I was wrong. When I saw myself in the mirror I suddenly realised I look like a really tough cat. Now I've got one up on Scooby. He has no scar. My scar is the focus of everyone's attention. However there are bad things about my scar. It attracts unwanted attention too. Twice a day I get an tablet thrown day my throat. Why this is I can't understand. I think it is because they are jealous. They'd like a scar just like mine too.

Scooby's CATastrophe (part 1)

I'm just recovering. I had the most terrible weekend - worse than my worst nightmare. It all started... well when I woke up really. As soon as I couldn't open the cat flap I knew something was wrong. What is it? My mind raced. Morgan went out without any problem so I feared the worst. I was going to the vet. A living hell for all animals. My mind could barely remember the last time I went but I knew the score. I had seen Morgan's futile attempts to not get in the cage (he sticks all his 4 paws out). But i had a go anyway... you never know do you? My heart was pounding. All I could do was let out a moan - a plea. I was in the cage. How could Katty do this to me? Her soothing voice comforted me a bit. She always promises she will never let anything bad happen to me. She spoke softly as she took me there and when we were in the waiting room I smelled my destination. What was that sound? I could hear people talking. "Scooby" mum said I love it when people say my name but not this time. It was the last thing I want to hear. I heard a bark. Stop! Stop! Part of me is relieved I'm in this cage now. Protected. I hear my name again "Scooby." Usually I hear it and think what a wonderful name it is but this time I hated it. On the move again. I am put down on some surface. After a moment I am lifted up again. I wish I could see where I am going but all I can see is objects. The smell stays the same. The worst smell any cat could smell, even worse than stale food. Another surface I'm lifted on. The cage door opens. I stay still. Perhaps no-one will notice me. No such luck. There's Katty trying to lure me out. I shut my eyes - go away, go away! The top comes off my world - well not exactly my world, the cage and I'm dragged onto a table with everyone staring at me. I smell dogs and cats and sweat glands of the earlier victims. I'm getting prodded and poked like a mouse. I tuen round and see a computer, 'I can use one of those' I think and head to it. I'm pulled back. Then I hear a word that's 2nd in my list of most hated words: diet. Find out what happens next... Continued on Saturday

Our friend's birthday

It was one of our friends, Frodo, 1st birthday on the 28th October. The companion of our yearly-supplier-of-all-things- catnip, Frodo was treated to a lovely nut cake and presents. Right up his street but to me it doesn't sound very appetising. Whatever takes your fancy I guess. Frodo was joined by none other than his best friend Freyr (a cat just like me). They are actually friends though. Frodo and Freyr really like each other. That's what I can't believe.We all hope you had a lovely time Frodo.

Scooby on night-time

Now Morgan's told you about what happens at his bedtime I'll tell you what happens at mine... I sleep. I go up about 7 and reserve my seat and go to sleep there and then. When I hear Katty coming in my room to go to bed I then get up and request some food - well why not? It's best to keep them on their toes day and night. I then refuse to go upstairs and want to go outside. Katty draws a deep breath and takes me upstairs and then gives me some catnip when I go back to bed. Lovely. I love catnip. It makes my day - or night as it now is. Because of my early bedtime and continous catnaps throughout the day it allows me to get up bright and early in the morning. I scratch the carpet up and the door until I'm let out at 7am. It takes a while but it works in the end. Katty is so hard to wake up. How frustrating. She could never be a cat - alert all day and all night. What do I dream? Katty always asks this. But there's something cats have to keep a secret from their humans and this is one of them. Sorry.

Morgan in the doghouse

I'll set the scene: Another day, another mouse. I'm lying on the sofa resting myself when I hear that word "bedtime." It sounds down the stairs, the lights go out and I head straight for my flap. It is locked, fishcakes. My tail is flicking and another night descends on me. Scooby has already reserved his place upstairs - he went up there about 3 hours ago. What is a cat to do? Nobody tells Prince Morgan Lucky what to do... nobody. After kicking up a fuss (for all those cats out there: with your front paws grasp the hand and with your back paws kick) I give in to pressure and my sleep driven desires and make my way to my bed. I love it really, my bed I mean. I snub Katty's bed (try and sleep on it with her continuous turning and mumbling throughout the night) and go into my kingdom. What do you think? It is MINE. I'll tell you the story about how this kennel was acquired. It was around bonfire night (nearly here yet again unfortunately) a night when everything with four legs and sensitive ears is frightened to shivers under the sofa and our other next door neighbour (not the one we grace with our presence every morning) Rosie was no exception. Being the thoughtful companions they are, Rosie's friends decided to buy her a safe-house. Unfortunately Rosie is afraid of the dark so they asked me if I would like it. It was perfect. My own house. My own place where no humans could get in. I took to it straight away. Two years on it still is (thankfully Scooby isn't very keen). This is my bed and where I go at night-time. I am very proud of it and want to show it to the world. The moral of the story is.... every dog has its day and every cat has it's kennel. Oh yes and please be considerate on firework night. Katty's getting fed up of stepping in my sick in the morning.

Casper 1990-2006

We were very saddened to hear of the death of a friend called Casper. Casper lived in Kent with his friend's Margaret and Katie and had a short illness. He was in great pain and so the decision was taken to let him go. I only met Casper once but he was adorable and was very spoilt by Margaret. We pray for the soul of Casper and that he catnaps in peace.

Morgan's better... for now

Morgan's a lot happier so that makes me and Scooby happier. He is still not quite himself... not quite like Morgan usually is but he's getting there and in a day or two he'll be make to his normal cheeky self. Well I hope so anyway. I haven't told him yet that he's go to be de-fleaed and wormed. I've already upset Scooby and now I have to upset Morgan. I feel like a totally horrible human and traitor and how ever much I tell them it's to stop that persistant itching and scratching they'll still wonder why I'm forcing it on them. Hopefully that ham I give them after will win them over...

Sad Morgan :-(

I don't usually write but today I'm writing on behalf of Morgan. He is very sad at the moment and we're very concerned for him. We're not sure who, what, where, why and how but yesterday evening I was out at work and Morgan came in he was not a happy chappy. His neck was oozing and some of his fur had been ripped out. When I came home he was upstairs on my bed and didn't respond like he usually does when I walk in and say hello. Then I went to see him and I noticed some of the fur had been ripped out on his head. Later in the evening I was told about his injuries and I went back to see if he was ok... he spat at me for touching him. He growled and spat the rest of the evening when you approached him and touched him so obviously we left him alone. He seemed very sleepy and unresponsive throughout the night that suggested perhaps he was in shock. We've come to the conclusion he must have been in a fight and not won. We certain it's not a fight with Scooby. I know people might say that I see Morgan and Scooby through rose-tinted glasses but Scooby would never do that. He's a softie is Scooby Doo and Morgan and him fight sometimes and yes, perhaps nastily but I've seen them and I know they would never be like that towards each other. This was a real nasty fight. Perhaps with another local cat, or more worringly a fox... Morgan will keep it as his secret. On closer inspection (how close Morgan will allow) I can feel the scratches on his head and some fur is hanging by a limb on his neck too. It might be his pride that's taken a bit of a bashing too.
This morning I gave him some fish (his favourite) and after sleeping all morning until 2 I gave him some more food with biscuits sprinkled on top just the way he likes it. He still seems quiet though (Morgan's quite vocal usually) and Scooby and me are going to be on our best behaviour. We'll see how he is in a few days time. I've told him he'll always be my Joint Top Cat but he didn't seem very pleased or impressed about that...
We're having a problem uploading photo's at the moment but as soon as we can we'll put some on.

Animal Welfare Sunday

Last Sunday was Animal Welfare Sunday - a time when we think about lovely animals and what joy they bring to the world and thank God for them. Well that's what I think anyway and of course to let your human spoil you. Katty told me you are meant to think about the creatures around the world who are suffering or in pain needlessly. That's what I think you should do too. Look at what a poor soul I am. Living in a world where nobody understands me, with a brother who's can, quite frankly be extremely annoying when he wants to be and without a constant supply of food. Katty says that's not the point. Some people hurt animals including cats. Hurt them? Like starve them for days, beat them up, torture them in labs, abandon them... it doesn't bear thinking about. Humans don't do that do they? I can't believe that all the humans I've met are so lovely however they do have the tendancy to abandon you when your in a mess also they're lethal in their cars. Anyway also your meant to thank God for all these wonderful animals (especially me). Katty told me and Morgan she was going to take us to an animal service at a Church. Though she made the right decision and didn't make us go because... even the thought of all those strange dogs and cats, noises and smells sends shivers down my spine.
I'm not talking to Morgan at the moment... no I've officially fallen out with him. Why? He took MY BED and didn't get up to let me sleep there. I was very upset. Even the nice cushioned bed Katty made for mer didn't make up for it and if I could I'd bite his ear off. Morgan has a bed himself. He has a kennel but last night he decided to upset me and upset me he did. Personally I don't like his kennel. It's too dark. And then he sometimes doesn't sleep in his kennel he sleeps under Katty's bed. See he has 2 potential sleeping places and I have 1 and so he decided to take MY sleeping place. It upset me greatly and I don't know if and how I will ever get over it.

Mikey and Ellie

This week has been really exciting we have 2 new arrivals! Mikey and Ellie, 2 fishes, came to our house last Thursday to live with us and they are happy in their new pond joining Billy. Billy was very happy to gain some friends and so were we. I check up on them everyday to see how they are and they are settling in well but they don’t hang around. I also have to say, to all the cats out there, that fish food is delicious but not very filling.
Also this week I did ‘a Morgan’ and lost my collar. It was the new collar that they got to replace Morgan’s lost collar that was never found. They trusted me more than Morgan to be responsible with it… but I lost it anyway. Yes I did and I was proud I could finally show that I’m a match to the loopiness of Morgan but I didn’t hide it well enough and 4 days later a nice neighbour came and bought it back. I was not amused. Katty showed it to me and my heart sank though I have to say that it was lifted quite quickly by some delicious chicken she gave me after. I better go now… I’ve been exhausting myself for too long and it’s time to claim my bed for the night. I’m so tired, paw me.

My Day in a nutshell

Finally Katty's helped me to make my own account which I needed a bit of help on because, to be honest, I think I'd prefer scratching at the door than this computering. What am I meant to put now... my brothers up a tree, he was sunbathing on the car before, I've just been taking out my frustrations on the scratch mat. The rest of the day is a constant blur of eating, sleeping and licking myself (not the I'm complaining of course)... so what will I do now? I don't know. Perhaps I will eat a little more or sleep a little more. I hope you like the photo's

Prince Morgan and the Chamber of Secrets

Well now I can finally write on my own account I am very happy... well as happy as you can be on a dull windy day. This is me radiating my true beauty above and also me up The Ladder. I know, I know. I'm irrisistable. Please note my fur round me is FAKE. Katty refuses to use real fur because, she tells me frequently, in some countries they use the fur of cats and dogs. Can you believe it? I mean I know I have lovely fur and everything but it's MINE. She says furs not fair for those you wear and you know what... I agree with her. I think fur looks better on it's owner than a human.

Today started as a usual day however it soon turned in to something different. There was I relaxing on the chair when "Mum" came and put some flea stuff on me. I know it was flea stuff because thats what the humans call it. It is cold and wet and it stinks the most vilest stench on the planet. I wasn't happy. I ran off the chair and sat by the window before fleaing outside and sitting on the wet grass - my refuge. I sat staring at the house wondering why the day was going so wrong. It could have been worse I suppose. I could have gone to the "v" place... I refuse to name that hell as the mere word sends shivers down my spine. So I sat there for a while until "Mum" came out and open the garage. I haven't told you what lies in the garage have I? Chamber of Secrets and The Ladder. The Ladder sometimes goes up to The Chamber of Secrets but that is purely on human demand. The Ladder is my throne, looking down on my lowly subjects most of the time but when attached to The Chamber of Secrets it opens up a world of treasures. "Mum" got The Ladder and me, unable to contain my excitment darted up the ladder. "Mum" said she couldn't move it and it took "Dad" to lift me down while "Mum" attached The Ladder to Chamber of Secrets. I struggled out of "Dad's" arms and legged it up The Ladder and took hours sniffing the treasure. It satisfied my addiction for another day. Scooby came up and I was mortified. What was Scooby doing in my Chamber of Secrets. I was not happy and went down in disgust.