Ring Out, Wild Bells! As 2025 approaches, the Excellent Cats raise their game with a discussion on Tennyson's poetry

[TheBroonOneAndTheWhiteOne]

And while the cats are thus engaged, their human slaves are still finishing the turkey and Christmas pud, and idly placing bets on whether or not Kitty will use her new cat tree.

That's a lovely NMC @haveanaiceday .
@empressauruskitty any chance of a pic of your neighbour's cat you're looking after?! Or failing that, a description!
Re lap cats, my previous cat Gabby was a lap cat,and she liked to sleep in bed, not on the bed!
Herbie has a little spot right at the foot of the bed. He likes to be near us, but not too near, definitely likes his own space.

I'm regretting the day I had him deported

Linney says you can have him back whenever you like.

I don’t feel I can post a pic, but Betty’s a big, friendly & floofy silver tabby who looks as if she’s got some Maine Coon ancestry. She meets me at the front door purring & demanding cuddles.

She sounds lovely!

She is!

While working upstairs I heard miaowing outside...

what beautiful green eyes

I think we need a photo of Kitty doing this it sounds very cute.

It’s extremely cute. Difficult to get a photo of but I’ll see what I can do.

My late Pud used to occasionally stand up by the fridge, lean on it with one paw and pat at me with the other, I always regret not getting a picture but as it was so random I was never ready.
It's a sad anniversary, a year ago on this date he was euthanised at home, in terms of days it was Saturday just gone. That was a tough day.

I’m so sorry, @Pudmyboy.

Thank you, being on this thread has helped a lot over the last year, seeing all the lovely magnificent cats (even the bitey ones) and reading about their adventures, it's made a big difference to me 😺

I'm sorry about Pud. He sounds like he was a wonderful cat

@Pudmyboy sorry about your loss. But our cats are now your cats. Enjoy
Except you do not get the biting

So sorry @pudmyboy . It takes a long time to get over it.

Echoing the condolences @Pudmyboy . Especially as you're such a lovely presence on this thread and are always so generous with praise for Elton - not that he deserves it (he's been a total pain today!)

@Pudmyboy I am so sorry
But you are a valued friend to all our cats
You have been there when
Finlay was having physio
Basil couldn't pee
Lexter was growing fur
Shady was streatching
Gizmo and Linney and Picard were getting to know each other
House of holbien were fashionistas
Toddlers cats were in and out of the vets
We know you miss your cat but it is lovely how you support ours!

So sorry @Pudmyboy - always hard at anniversaries and special occasions
Do you think you might ever be ready to welcome a new kitty into your life? I am sure you will know if or when the time is right x

No complaints about lap cats here! DS just offered to do dinner so as not to disturb Finlay

@Pudmyboy if it is not too upsetting send us a photo of the lovely pud

Bit of a twist in the NMF drama. I saw a fox come walking down my garden wall, but it's not the same fox. This one is smaller and looks healthy and I presume might be his mate. I will put some food out tomorrow and see who it attracts, don't want to end up feeding the local NMCs. I'll also order some of the mange treatment, much as it goes against my instincts to buy anything labelled homeopathic. At least the money goes to a wildlife rescue.

@HumanToCatBeasties this is my NMF
Husband asked if we could could spot on flea treatment on it

Love the NMFs on the thread.
Condolences from me too @Pudmyboy.

Your NMF is beautiful and I love that it's surrounded by a scattering of autumnal leaves in that photo, rather that the rusty radiators in mine. Did you suggest your husband attempted the spot on treatment, it might have been entertaining as long as he didn't get bitten.

Thank you, to you and everyone else who have sent kind messages, it feels so supportive because I know you all understand.
I was trying to attach a little video of Pud, purring and chirring like a guinea pig but couldn't work out how to do it, so you get a static picture.
He had the softest fur on his chest and belly (loved a belly rub in the morning!) and silky fur on his back, sweet little boy with the most god-awful squawking meow. I always thought of that as his Persian flaw: otherwise he would have been too perfect. Yes he was an arse at times but that was proof he was 100% cat.