From Smokey:
Heather asked me to write this post because some of you have been asking about me and wanting to know how I’m doing. I’m doing fine, thank you. Heather and I have a nice routine going at the Lucky 5 Star.
Portrait of moi.
Heather is feeling under the weather today, and since she is at home doing nothing I commanded her to take some photos of me going about my daily activities. This will give you an idea of what a day in the life of the Melville Cat is like.
On most mornings, Heather gets up early to do something called “boxing”. I don’t know what boxing is but I find her habit irritating. She turns on the light and makes a racket, interfering with my valuable sleeping time. At least I get the bed to myself when she leaves.
Sometimes I stay in bed until Heather returns, dozing and bathing myself as the mood strikes me. Other times I get up and take an early stroll around the garden.
When Heather comes home, it’s time for breakfast. I don’t like cat food. I prefer to eat what Heather eats.
A lovely breakfast of milk and muesli.
This is me with a milk mustache. Or rather, a milk goatee.
After breakfast, I bathe again. I am a very fastidious cat. I clean myself for several hours each day.
Cleaning.
Cleaning some more.
After my bath, I spend a few hours stalking prey. I rarely catch prey during daylight hours, but there’s not much to do during the day but sleep and hone my hunting skills.
I see something.
I’m hiding. I see something.
You blew my cover. I hate you.
I spend most of my days in the Lucky 5 Star garden. I hang out in the house sometimes if Heather is home. I also visit my other Melville friends, including Ms. M. Ms. M loves it when I come to visit, and she gives me delicious food. I like to keep my emotional distance though.
When night falls, I hunt in earnest. I often bring my prey inside to show Heather. I bring her frogs and mice and other tasty animals. She always takes my prey away from me and puts it outside again. I just don’t understand this.
At around 9:00 p.m., I come inside and go to sleep with Heather. It’s starting to get cold at night and we need each other to keep warm.
One evening, I decided to play a joke on Heather. I hid myself on top of the sofa, between the curtain and the window. It was warm and comfortable there, so I stayed all night and much of the next morning. I didn’t even come out when Heather made my breakfast.
Then Heather saw my shadow and discovered me. She pulled the curtain back. “What are you doing, kitty? You stayed here all night?!” I could see that she was very relieved to find me. Haha.
Between the curtains.
I have one other exciting piece of news. A few weeks ago Heather told me that we would be moving soon, to another part of the Lucky 5 Star Commune. I wasn’t happy about this, so I went to Horst (the Lucky 5 Star landlord) and told him that I do not want to move. Apparently he listened to what I said, because now Heather says that we’re not moving for a while.
Horst has realized – as everyone eventually does – that he must submit to the will of the Melville Cat.
One last thing. To those of you who are friends with Heather: Please stop coming to the Lucky 5 Star. I don’t like visitors. If you must come in, please do not pet me or pick me up. I find that kind of ingratiating behavior quite unattractive. If you try that, I will simply get up and leave.
The Lucky 5 Star is mine, and so is Heather. So back off.
However, offerings of food — especially milk, fish, chicken, and biltong — are welcome.
I love these posts Heather! The Melville cat is beautiful with such gorgeous eyes! Hope you are doing well!
Thanks Nicole, you too. His eyes are indeed quite striking. A joy to photograph.
Great entertaining post. I know I say it every time but it’s only because it’s true.
Thank you! Trust me, I don’t mind being told.
please tell the melville cat he must stop going jolling at night and chasing after birds (a bit like the bicardi cat on the advert) maybe then he can get up a bit earlier in he morning
I will do that. I’m sure he will appreciate the advice.
Made my day – what a delightful post! And a huge “thank you” for making the visit possible. And a message for the Melville Cat: this “boxing” stuff you talk about – when you come up close and personal with it, it is pretty awesome!
Thanks Rashida and Hady (or whichever one of you I am speaking to). I’m glad you enjoyed the boxing yesterday. I hope to see you both on another photowalk so we can actually chat 🙂
Its Rashida. Would love to meet up with you again, on a photowalk or chat over coffee. xx
What a gorgeous cat! He looks like a Russian Blue mix, doesn’t he?
Several people have said that. I had never heard of a Russian Blue before. He does have a very special look to him.
I love reading your posts – there is just something so special about them!
Thanks! Do you mean 2Summers posts, or Smokey’s? 🙂
Spoken like a cat…. *rolls eyes*
Hey Rumpy:
Back off! (Hiss)
-Melville Cat
awesome photos – fabulous cat 🙂
Thanks Jackie. Melville Cat thanks you too.
thank you for letting us know how you’ve been, Melville cat, and be nice with Heather , don’t play too many tricks on her!
Thank you Catherine. I promise to be nice from now on.
-Melville Cat
I love how you portray his personality Heather
Thanks! He’s got quite the personality, doesn’t he? Well worth portraying.
Smokey, you definitely get more handsome every day! Very glad that Heather’s photographic skills are up to the task of presenting you so magnificently! Fred has offered to chase off Rumpy if required too – woof!
I’d like to see the Fred and the Melville Cat go head-to-head.
Heather, I think the Melville Cat should be a regular post here. It is soooooo funny….and humourous!
Deano
The Melville Cat appreciates the compliment. He will try to post as often as possible. He just has to wait until he has something interesting to say.
Dear Heather (and Melville Cat – of course)
I first found your blog last year – as my partner and I are from South Africa but have lived in England for the past 17 years… often coming to Jo’burg to visit family and friends…
Having found your blog last year – I lost it… as last year was a hard year – as both my partner and I were made redundant – however, we are setting off on a new venture together starting our own company…
we are coming to South Africa later this year and I just knew I had to find your blog – remembering it for all the interesting places you visit, the amazing way in which you write and the most fantastic photographs… I was stunned and shocked to hear of your sad news last December… as someone who has never met you – my thoughts go out to you…
… I have however lost a day… as having found your blog again yesterday – I have spent much of the day looking through your postings and admiring your photographs… one entry in particular made me have to write… you were in Swaziland a few weeks ago – doing a job for ‘Samaritans Purse’… my partner and I collect goodies to put 12 shoe-boxes together every year … your photos were amazing – and made me realise that no matter how hard things are for us right now – we need to all do all that we can for those less fortunate than ourselves… Our collection has started for our shoe-boxes this year… and your photographs just makes it all worthwhile…
It would be amazing to meet you when we are there in August… having found your blog again… it will not get lost…
I look forward to more postings and more amazing photos…
Thanks
Linz
Hi Linz,
Wow, I can’t tell you how much this comment means to me. Thank you so much.
I can certainly relate to your troubles and I hope you get off to a wonderful new start in SA. I’d love to meet you when you get here!
I’m glad you enjoyed my post about Samaritan’s Purse. Your post makes my work with them all the more worthwhile.
Thanks again for the comment,
Heather
Cats are such entertaining creatures. I have a fluffy (prefer fluffy to fat) cat. She’s kept me entertained and comforted during some rough times over the past few months. Don’t know what I would do without her. I bet the Melville cat is just as good at lightening your mood. 🙂 I’m inspired to take some pictures of my cat one of these days. Thanks for sharing!
Thanks Laura. Yes, the Melville Cat is a very good mood-lightener and also a stellar photography subject. I’m lucky to have him. (Although I wasn’t really feeling that way yesterday when he was torturing an injured dove in my spare bedroom 🙂