They cannot be serious

My daughter's cat loves the TV programme Roar. She sits in front of it and tries to attack the animals on the screen.

absent that sounds a bit more like it, hope the inspection visit goes well.

We went to our local aquatic place last week, as Mr P said that he "needed" some more female mollies. We have been many times, but on this occasion it crossed my mind how much Digby would enjoy a visit there! I wonder if we put him in his travelling basket ..............................

Sounds like a plan Absent. The small, but spotlessly clean, cattery where our Pepper stayed last year has a "family suite" for up to 4 cats, it was lovely, had a tree growing through it, with lots of branches for the cats to jump onto, and a lovely view of the garden, but whether the "guests" appreciate that I don`t know.

I have just been in touch with a cattery that sounded more like a place suitable for animals than a luxury hotel. No DVDs but plenty of understanding about cats needing a bit of company and a chat from time, as well as regular food and clean litter trays. The very nice man on the phone offered me a sort of BOGOF deal on the price and the three cats can share a pen – which I think they will prefer. I am gong to inspect the place next week with my fingers crossed that it will all work out.

absent [groan]

Oh absent !

absent I think I'd like to move into that cattery myself - if I could afford it.

Phoenix Surely he was giving it a CAT scan.

Nellie you've got it in one!

I really wanted to add a caption to that photo, along the lines of "Well, Madam, having carried out an in-depth inspection, I think the problem lies with your flange gasket"

Or something along those lines!

That Digby post is for phoenix

Which cat in your photos is Digby? frem what you say about his intelligence I suspect he is the one emerging from the washing machine. That cat has death wish!

Oh heavens, at the moment I'm struggling to even get an article published, let alone a book!

By the way the reference to the fact that in 8 months his Stripey Thickness, Squeaky Digby of Shebbear hasn't sussed out the fish tank, was not meant to indicate his age. To clarify (for those who have not already been subjected to my cat related ramblings) we have had Digby for 8 months. He is in fact now two and a half. And still thick. In both senses of the word.

I suppose that the wish for any sudden improvement in his mental capacity could be classified as "hope over experience". I believe this phrase was also used to describe anyone getting married for a second time. Not that I can see the relevance in connection with Digby, or any other cat for that matter, but it does indicate that I have read things other than newspapers and the sort of magazines that you see whilst in the queue at the supermarket checkout.

Phoenix It would make a wonderful title for a book - offering delightful prospects as Hoffnung would say

Phoenix 'Mr Ps tropicals' .... is that a Devon delicacy, or something private?

Deedaa The nearest thing to cats' television that I have ever seen was a row of cats lined up on a sofa and another row on the widow sill outside all fascinated by a cage full of gerbils.

Yes the rabies jab is compulsory, hence the delay because I got the timing wrong.

glass You're a star!

absent I could go and visit them while they are in the cattery just to make sure they are ok and report back.

All my life I have loved cats, I haven't had one for ages, my husband, one of my son's and my granddaughter are all allergic to them, I'm beginning to wonder if I will ever have one again. Frustrating!

Phoenix
I have an allergy to cats, but I do love them. I'm just imagining the fish tank and cat! Wonderful!

There used to be a screensaver (Russian I think) which was a little tabby kitten running around the screen. Our cats were absolutely besotted with it but couldn't care less about television.

How frustrating to have to leave them though! Seems abit unfair to have to have Rabies vaccination when you're coming from a country where it isn't endemic. Do they have it in New Zealand or is it just precautionary?

Oh indeed, they positively exude it! I think there is even a special tail flick for it.

(I was subjected to the teeniest bit of it from Maurice and Lily when I got back at 2.30pm after leaving them since 5.30pm yesterday! Digby hasn't as yet got the hang of contempt, but his righteous indignation is coming on in leaps and bounds)

Just being silly phoenix. All three are doing well; Dingbat has a slightly dodgy ticker but nothing major. Cats are all tarts; so as long as they are comfortable, get stroked occasionally and fed regularly, they'll probably have forgotten me in a week. I can imagine them if they do get to NZ. I'm sure you know just as well as I do how perfectly they can express contempt.

Oh absent for the misadventures of Dylan, but for you and your remaining three.

Lilygran They are/were wonderful cats. (Now I've gone all snivelly.) I am so concerned that my remaining three won't make it to New Zealand (they are 16 years old this month) and will feel that I have abandoned them.

absent those are wonderful names