Merry Christmas

The winter coat

I think it is safe to say that Urchin is currently sporting her full complement of winter fluff.

Pretty cat

She was just looking so pretty I had to share this one.

Urchin and the door

Proof, if proof were needed, that she is a ridiculous beast. She climbed on top of the door (there's a curtain rod above the door, don't know why) and draped herself around it, threatening to fall on the head of passers by.

Urchin and the computer

Always something to fascinate a cat

Urchin has had both of us at home a lot over the last few weeks, and yet she still has days where she wants more attention than she is getting. She finds an excellent way to get our undivided attention is to climb on our desks and start flinging things off the computer.

Urchin and the spare bed

Yesterday Urchin was very vocal about demanding to be let out. Even though the weather was awful. It was very windy and even latched back the door was banging around a bit. We went out to call her and she was nowhere to be seen. Then I went upstairs and discovered that she'd snuck back in and put herself to bed in the comfiest spot she could find.

Change of seasons

As of yesterday, Urchin has decided that it is cold enough for her winter quarters. We pretty much expect her to stay in her hammock now until spring.

Squirrel Watch 2012

In the early mornings at this time of year, we have a lot of squirrel activity. 2 large hazel bushes and a walnut tree keep them very busy.

Which means Urchin is kept very busy keeping watch. She seems to be genuinely agitated that the wretched nut rats are invading her home. Last weekend she was in the garden when one came down the walnut tree without seeing her - she gave chase and was only about 30cm away from it before it got back up the tree. Great excitement.

Urchin's chair

As anyone who has cats knows, all chairs are their chair. Urchin has a particular fondness for the footstool in the conservatory though. It's just the right size for her to curl up on.

The bonsai bench

Cat bench, not bonsai bench

For a long time Paul has wanted to display his bonsai on benches, the way they do in Japan. It looks nicer and makes them much easier to water. This week, it has finally happened. After a bit of cautious peering and sniffing, Urchin has realised that they are also excellent for displaying cats on.

Urchin and the frog

I'm still traumatised by this. I cannot deal with frogs at all, and yet I had to deal with this one. Which was stuck in Urchin's tail. This is the moment when it moved and Urchin realised it was there. She really thinks her tail is an independent entity.

I needed gardening gloves, a comb and quite a lot of gin to get it out.

Urchin and the computer

Happiness is a hot cat with a cool gust from a computer fan blowing into her fur. Not so good for the computer, but worth it for the serene expression on her furry little mush.

Bringing shame to her family

It's shedding season and thus is the time of year when a cat's reluctance to be brushed really shows itself. The wretched little animal really needs a thorough grooming to get all her loose undercoat out, but she isn't having it, and is fighting like a tiger when we try do it. There are matts developing. Cutting one out is a 2-person job. This was definitely the worst one she's had yet - I am hoping that by publicly humiliating her like this, she will be more amenable to letting us brush her regularly. Yep - pinning my hopes on anthropomorphism.

That hairbrush is bigger than my hand.

Urchin and the Rain

The dreadful weather we have been experiencing leaves a cat with very soggy toe-tufts.

Urchin and the bonsai

Urchin can be a little menace sometimes. She has realised that gnawing bonsai branches is a very good way to make her father pay attention to her (she also knows it doesn't work on me). But we've never seen her get this carried away. This morning she decided to really get stuck into the bonsai pruning as a way to convince us that it was time for cats to be outside.

Urchin and the window

Urchin has recently figured out that to open the kitchen window, we do something to the handle. She hasn't quite worked out what she needs to do, but it's only a matter of time.

homicidal psycho jungle cat

The fearsome beast lurks in the dense undergrowth waiting to pounce.

Urchin and the computer

Some days are more obstructive than others.

At her convenience

I was cuddling the beast. She climbed up to my shoulder, so I leant at an angle to give her an easier descent down my back. She got half way down and stopped, deciding that reclining elegantly on my hunched form was the way to go. She stayed there - with her tail up my nose - until we'd got a decent picture, then I had to stand up to dislodge her. I think she thought I was going to walk around like that, so she could ride like a sedan chair.

Urchin and the chair

One of Urchin's tried-and-true strategies for getting us to play with her is to climb on the back of Paul's chair. Having a cat's bum rubbing against the back of your neck is remarkably motivating.

Curiosity

She noticed that we had taken a few pictures and so she hopped up on the desk to observe. She got up when she saw her image - otherwise she never sits in that position. Far too clever.

Star Trek

Urchin really enjoyed star trek with us this evening.

She really likes her yellow fleece on my lap when she sits there. And she had to have both hands on her - for maximum comfort.