What compromises do you make for your cats? <light hearted>

[StuffezLaYoni]

Everyone knows that you never really "own" cats - you merely sign up as their lifelong butlers... I was just wondering what subtle ways your cats have of keeping you in your place?

I realised this morning that after 28 years of sleeping on my stomach, I now have to sleep in more backache-inducing positions because the second I lie on my front, one or both cats leaps onto my head/back and makes themselves comfy.

I also cannot spread out any kind of papers on my dining table when I need to work because they are obsessed with paper and either shred it or lie on it spread eagled. As a teacher this is quite annoying but I don't have the heart to move them...

Anyone else??

Ooh, it's like a free hot-stone massage!

Oh dear I feel guilty now. I compromised with my cat and let him come and sleep in my bedroom as he got older (he just sits outside the door and miaows quietly until I let him in). But have had one too many early morning wakeups to the sounds of him vigorously cleaning his nethers, or, worse, coughing up a furball, and so now he is once again relegated to the kitchen with its easy clean floor .

But he is an old boy now and I tell him I love him every day and make a point of being extra nice and cuddly at all times other than bed-time. Spend a lot more on nonsense treats like Dreamies too.

I have scabby old sofas which will tobe replaced until the cats are too frail to claw them.

I'm now use to being woken up at 5am by a cold moist nose stuck on my face.
I don't have the heart to shove her of my pillow when she curls around my head.

Also all fishy dinners must be shared.

Yes, bed and rest issues are rather to the fore with Mr Cory too.

I have to get into bed at the appointed hour, undressing really quickly and jumping in if I am late, or he yowls - then "sleep" crunched up in a corner of the bed while he spreadeagles, snoring. I haven't slept past dawn in four glorious pet-owning years - the little lad likes a prompt start to the day.

I am really, really good at working, sitting and sleeping cross-legged now, as the scrap of fur likes to share the sofa too. As for his nutritional routine...

I have semi-arthritis in both elbows from umpty years of bending them to allow various boys to sleep in their preferred position.

I now get up at 5 am every single day becuase that's when my youngest licks my face with much unending enthusiasm. It feels like being flayed with wet sandpaper.

I spend my life in the winter gping around in a circle letting in or out one of the herd. Nobody feels like co-ordinating their collective entry and exit.

I mumsnet cortorted around 8 cats who believe I am a large hot water bottle.

I make no compromises.

I am a walkover.

Our old boy used to get almost an entire sofa to himself. The odd time he came and slept on the bed I would be contorted the whole night so as not to disturb him because I was so pleased he was there!

I catch birds, mice and rabbits, wrap them in towels and smuggle them through the pub in my handbag to release them back to freedom. I try not to swear too much at the fucking cat while I do it.
I also put up with cleaning up feathers and bits of fur in the mornings because I leave the bathroom window open so I'm not worrying about them being outside all night!