Recent Events in the Life of the Melville Cat
From the Melville Cat:
Dear Readers,
Heather often says that you are eager for news about me and wish that I would post more often. I must apologize but, to tell the truth, my life is not terribly eventful.
I eat, sleep, and walk laps around the swimming pool. (Cats do not swim.) I am not as young as I once was, and don’t get up to as many adventures as I did in my youth. I have little appetite for murdering birds these days, and prefer to sit quietly in the sun. I no longer fight with the other cats in the neighborhood, as I’ve realized it’s much easier to ignore them. No fighting means no injuries, which means no imprisonment inside the blasted Cone of Shame. This is good, both for me and my humans.
I also learned a valuable lesson last year when I briefly absconded – Heather insists I “ran away” although I maintain that I was just on holiday – from my Melville domain. The holiday didn’t work out as I planned, and it was far more trouble than it was worth. It was nice to see a bit of the world for once, but now I know that it’s better to be bored than miserably hungry and lost.
So, I have little of significance to share with you. But here are a few mundane updates:
Two Holidays for the Melville Cat
I have taken two more holidays – planned holidays, which do not involve misery, cold, or hunger – at the lovely Cattery on the Hill. I now visit the Cattery whenever Heather and Ray are on trips/holidays of their own, and I love it there. Kobus, Caryn, and Gloria take wonderful care of me and they always reserve their finest chalet for my visits.
My Recent Illness
Earlier this week, I was ill. I felt achy and lethargic and refused to drink my morning milk or roll around in the catnip that Ray gives me every day. I felt feverishly hot and slept outside in the garden, despite the brisk autumn chill.
A photo of me in Heather’s office, just before I became ill.
Heather took me to that place called the veterinarian, which I normally detest but was quite happy to visit this time since I felt so dreadful. The lovely veterinarian lady took my temperature (in a very undignified place) and informed me that I had a fever. She gave me an injection and squirted some medicine into my mouth, which wasn’t very pleasant but made me feel better immediately. Today, one day after my veterinarian visit, I am completely myself again.
It occurs to me that I should tell you who my veterinarian is. I attend the Richmond Veterinary Clinic, which is just next to Melville, and my veterinarian is Charmaine. Charmaine is a wonderful lady and I recommend her to all the cats (and dogs) in Joburg. The clinic’s phone number is 011-726-6323.
Life With Ray
Lastly, I am pleased to report a great strengthening in my relationship with Ray, my second human servant. I confess that I have made life difficult for Ray in the past. This is not easy for me to talk about, but I struggled to concede that I am no longer the only man in Heather’s life, and sometimes behaved intentionally in a way that I knew would hurt Ray’s feelings. However, I have recently learned to fully accept Ray, mainly because he is the only person in the house who feeds me chicken and catnip. As I cannot live without those delicacies, I’ve decided that Ray may stay.
(Alright, I admit that it’s not just the chicken and catnip. Despite my efforts to resist Ray’s charms, I like him very much. Okay I love him. There. I said it.)
That is all for now. All the best from your favorite feline blogger,
-Smokey
Lovely post! Ray sounds cool ….
Ray is very cool. As am I. (From Smokey)
Smokey, I have it on good authority that your cousins from the Lake Van area of Turkey can actually swim… and like it very much.
Ah yes, I have about those strange Turkish cats. I have a hard time believing this but I will take your word for it.
Good day to you, Smokey, and thanks for the fresh news!
You are very welcome, Catherine.
Oh for the life of a cat! However only on a few days I do still like to be adventurous.
‘Only on a few days’? Haha. I believe you are far more adventurous than that. ?
I am not a cat lover. except for yours!
Ah, I am very flattered. But you should give the rest of my brethren a chance. We’re very likable once you get past our aloof exteriors.
hachoo
Ah yes, I understand.
Smokey, I’m writing on behalf of my cat, the darling, if rather anti-social, Mankie. She’s asked that I double check your cattery recommendation. She’ll be needing long-stay accommodation while my husband and I go on an adventure later this year and it obviously needs to be top class. What do you like most about it and is there anything, even the slightest little thing, that you don’t like? Thank you in advance!
Dear Charmain,
Thank you so much for writing on behalf of Mankie. I also enlist Heather’s assistance to type my posts and responses, as I cannot type due to my lack of thumbs.
I have never stayed at another cattery, so I have nothing to compare with. (Heather has also been very hesitant in the past to leave me at such a place, for obvious reasons.) However, I really have nothing negative to say about the Cattery on a Hill. I love it there! For me, the best parts are the spacious chalets, the beautiful setting, and the humans who care for me. The owners, Kobus and Caryn, are very nice and Caryn is a veterinarian (just like my vet at the Richmond clinic who, coincidentally, shares your name). There is also a full-time staff human, Gloria, who spends the day at the cattery and gives me plenty of time to wander around and explore the grounds. (The grounds in the middle of all the chalets are completely enclosed, and Gloria lets each cat out on its own to walk around and play.)
I spent nearly two weeks at the Cattery in February and I loved every minute. I’m sure Mankie will, too. But if you have more questions, feel free to contact Heather and me here: http://430779ae203f.xneelosites.com/contact-me/.
PS: The only thing we don’t like about the Cattery is the fact that it’s on the other side of town. I do not enjoy long car rides, especially on the highway. But the Cattery on the Hill is worth it.
Best wishes Smokey from your cousin Beebee in America. It’s springtime here. Life is good.
Ah, you are very lucky Beebee. I love spring.
Smokey: So good to hear of your comfortable life with Heather and Ray. I often wander out a bit on specifcally planned trips around the neighborhood, and can never understand my handler’s anger when they drag me home. I recently did a gig at the SANDS Hotel and Casino in Las Vegas, modestly called “A Dog and Her Bone.” If you’d like to join me on stage someday, I’d be honered to add: “Co-starring, the Melville Cat!” on the marquee. Sandy Paws!
Nice to meet you, Sandy Paws, and thanks very much for your comment. I would love to co-star in your show someday – I could invite all of my fans! Although I’m not sure about the flight I would need to take to get there. Car rides are bad enough.
MC, I am very proud of you for admitting your attachment to Ray. Also that you have not bitten him. He will be a warm bolster during the coming winter and thus you have shown admirable foresight. Thanks for updating us on your adventures.
I am currently in an English Castle, which is lovely, but I think could use some of your feline brethren. Not only are the doves on the battlements cooing incessantly, but I am certain there are mice in the walls. Very refined, aristocratic mice, I am sure, and no rural castle can ever escape the scourge of rodents, but they definitely need a Castle Cat.
Thank you for the comment, Autumn. How exciting that you are residing in a castle! There are no castles here (that I know of) but if there were I would love to live in one.
Smokey darling there’s no place like home. Meow meow. Lots of love from Dita, Ben and Jerry from number 129. Purr purr
Luv your cat stories… but more the photographs especially “My fighting days are in the past. I prefer not to risk my extraordinary good looks” and “You can stay, Ray, and I’ll stay as well. But don’t get too comfortable”. From the looks of it . . . you have a pretty good idea how to handle a camera.
Also enjoyed your post on the Westdene graffiti and the two little girls “Erin and Ari” and the Vetkoek pic of Rachel.
Good photo of the “A vetkoek sandwich with mince meat. It tasted like a sloppy joe but 100 times better”. Only natural light I assume.
(and no - i do not know a lot about photography - but there is nothing wrong with my eyes!)
Thank you very much, Irene! I really appreciate that. Glad you’re enjoying my blog.
Wait, I just realized this is Katrien! Haha, thanks for the comment.