Furry House Demons

In my official function as the Mad Cat Lady of Richmond, I'm known to take in friend's cats while they go on holiday. I rather like having them around the place. It's nice having other people's cats on hand. You don't have food, vet or registration costs and you get a house trained animal to keep you company for a while. I rather like this set up.

My regular visitors include the eponymous Maow Maow - love of my life. Ms Tia Stinkybreath comes and stays every now and then when Sam goes away. Mrs Squeaky Puss is due back in a few week's time when Kitt goes away for the weekend. These regular visitors all end up sleeping on my bed with me after a day or so.

And before you say, "Get your own cat." I'll say it once again. I'll get a cat when I get a husband. Other than the commitment issues that dream group berate me for on regular occasions, I go away a lot and I'm not home much and I think cats should have a back yard when they live with you long term, not just a litter box under a table. Besides, for the moment, I'm enjoying taking in cats - and having them stay for a little while before I give them back. I appreciate the variety.

I've got two furry house demons that arrived this morning. Goblin and Whiskers. They belong to Sydney, a mate from book group who's away on business this week.

Unlike the Maow Maow, Mrs Tia Stinkybreath and Mrs Squeaky Puss, I hadn't met these two before. When the former come for a visit, they normally case the joint and are asleep on the sofa within ten minutes.

These two - these two - who I'm yet to rename (all cats who come to stay get sort of renamed) have been here about 12 hours - and they are yet to remove themselves from under the couch.

Not that this is troubling me - Sydney said that they were ace at hiding and in the last few hours they have  started to stick a paw out  into the light. There is food, water and their poo box ready for them. I'm sure that after a while they will come out and be a bit friendlier.

But for the moment, I'm sitting here trying not to think about the fact that it's Hell Week coming up. This week I have the monthly Elks Meeting, the Elks Property Association Meeting (for which I'm sitting here getting the spreadsheets ready for the meeting. Wednesday is Dream Group. Thursday I'm out with Millie and Sam for a posh dinner and Friday I'll be ready to fall into a big heap.

This also means that I have to get to the gym before work. Fun. Lots of Pedro on the bike. Fun.

Talking of Pedro - as the cats were dropped off early, I didn't make it to my constitutional Sunday morning Pump class - just a few minutes too late. Instead of going for a run or just forgoing the gym altogether, I went to the Body Combat class instead.

Pedro was taking it.

Having him jump around, punching the air in front up in front of the class - laughing at some of us occasionally in a good humoured way (I get snickered at for my non-existent  roundhouse kick)

Having Pedro bounce around like Tigger for your viewing pleasure - its enough to put a smile on your face for the rest of the day.

Right, off to bed - lets see how much trouble these furry house demons can get into tonight.