Ping!

[RubbishMantra]

Little M has a new, beloved toy. One of those giant elastic bands, that you get bound around a lot of post. He has a plethora of toys, sourced from far and wide.

He brings it to me, I ping it, then he tosses it about for a bit before bringing it back for me to ping. I've woken up for the last week with it in the bed.

He doesn't chew it, so I have no fears about him ingesting it. He's just become incredibly attached to it. Then he pretends he can't find it, making mournful "Oooo" noises until I fetch it. Even though he knows exactly where his "Ping" is.

Anyone else have a cat with favourite toys, that aren't actual toys?

Little M's finger skillz beyond heavenly!

M, you know Hemingway had 20 polydactilous cats? When he died his estate agreed to keep the cats on and they are now, rather greater in number, still living at his house ie the Hemingway museum.

I think that's right, I'm not in Wikipedia mode today, but basically that's the gist of it.

Mr C's toy use is shaming. I buy them, he ignores them. Only when I have passed out on the sofa will I be woken by a tell-tale tinkle or squeak - he uses the noise to wake me in case he fancies a snack and I am not sufficiently alert. The Ping is so so sweet.

I noticed that too Mantra. Is Ollie mitten pawed?

You didn't get me mixed up Mantra. I just like to see Little M in Head In Hands Posture - a new Yoga pose?

There are now 40-50 Hemingway cats, soul sisters & bros to Little M

www.hemingwayhome.com/cats/

He has a claw higher up? Is that it?

It might be - it's Latin for extra fingers. Cats can have up to 7.

I know a family in Dorset who all have 6 fingers and toes. Buying shoes is tricky. Silly humans and their silly phalanges - whereas cats just make it cool.

It's not The Claw higher up. It's what looks like the 'little toe' in the high five photo!

Thank you for the Pukka tip! Just tried it with CuppaCat and it was like catnip - he's reduced it to a mass of purple sogginess.

He likes playing fetch with Christmas decorations.

Ahh on the outside? So the right hand side in that pic?

Your photo @18.45 shows Ollie with what Mantra and I are talking about!

Well I am home. Ollie is giving me look as I poke his paws

You go across to the next county from where I live, and you're eyed suspiciously if you don't have extra toes or fingers, Lana. I love that Hemingway put his cats in his will! I'm making a will soon, and will have to work out important things to ensure my 2 beauties are looked after if anything were to happen to me.

Looking at Ollie's paw, in the post Heman refers to, he appears to have 6 toes. The one further up, on the inside, is called a dew claw, the equivalent of our big toe (or thumb?) Cats usually have 5 toes, which includes the dew claw. I counted 5 splayed toes and a dew claw on Ollie's ribbon grabbing pose. Which if we're right, makes him a polydactyl cat.

BTW, I'm not usually counting cat's toes at 4am, but have been wiped out by a tummy bug thingy, and snoozing most of the day. I won't use the term bum gravy, but you get the gist....

He's giving me "why you poke me hooman?" face

Mithril says he's very happy that he's made other cats happy with his tea bag tip.

Mithril says he's very happy that he's made other cats happy with his tea bag tip.

How cute is Mithril? TOO CUTE.

M many condolences for the stomach thing and get well pronto, how grim. The RSPCA does a thing called Home for Life where if one snuffs it and no other paperwork exists they take one's kitlings and rehome them. You get a chance to tell them what sort of home is required - my instructions took up 6pp.

You can also leave your cats money in a will, via a human trustee or executor. And you can insure your life with them as the beneficiary.

Everyone I asked took one look at the 6pp and refused to take Mr C. :)

HollinhurstI am with M as always on this one.

I swear Ollie has extra fingers too.

Fingers?!?!

Send more pix. Ollie could be the first MN Hemingway cat.

FIngers, toes, paws, bah = phalanges then.

Ribbon?

Diagnosis Madam Hooman: your animal is suffering from severe sweetness. With acute attacks of adorability.

I can't see any extra toes now but who cares, he's miles too fab to need showy extras.

Dr Lana MD (vet) (msc) (failed)

My cat was not remotely interested in the tea. Hopefully I'll like it.

I can't get enough of RibbonFace. I really think you owe it to your fellow Litter-mates to make a calendar. You could have seasonal ribbons - green for spring, autumnal colours for, well, Autumn. You get the gist.

You should buy this book.

Internet celeb ribbon face is a touch off colour tonight < worries >
Suspect a cat flu flare

it might just be a bug. That's what the vet told me when I panicked over Mr C last week. Give it 48 hours before you stress.

Even influencers need their downtime. Fame is a cruel mistress etc.

I'll be buying the calendar, wot a brilliant idea M.

The game of "Ping Fetch" has taken a twist. Little M presents me with Ping, (his massive elastic band). I ping it, he sees where it lands, but pretends he can't find it.... Sooo, I have to find the Ping, and ping it for him again. Met again with the same amount of puzzlement as to where the Ping is, and a few pfffts.

But I do it. Because he's my curly little fool.

Hope Ollie's feeling better soon. [Ribbon]