This particular 'bundle of joy' (i.e. Patches, who later gave me four lovely kittens) arrived at my house, as an apparent stray, obviously well fed and cared for. I suspect that she'd walked out of her house (perhaps where, for example, she was being hassled by very young children) and simply decided to find somewhere that suited her a little better. I was amazed when I didn't see any 'Lost Cat' posters about her!
However I still worry that I might simply have increased my reputation as the local cat-napper. (I had two 'stray' cats living in my house for well over a year before finding out that they should have been living in two adjacent houses, occupied by members of the same family, just across the road from me. Oops!)
>>>Or perhaps when they run across you when you are asleep
It's worse when they get under the duvet and decide to practice their hunting skills with your feet as 'prey'!
>>>I love the one where they are all lying sleeping together. That is something that has never happened in my house.
Hi Wolf63.
Patches generally tries to keep away from her kids but she will still sleep on the bed with them fairly often. It can get problematic though when all 5 cats (or even just 3 or 4 of them) decide they want to sleep on the bed at night-time. If I'm already in it I get pinned down and can't turn over or move my legs. If they get there before me (as has happened for the past few nights) I end up sleeping on the sofa again!
I tried turfing normally mild mannered Frankie off the bed a week or so ago - he growled at me and made a lunge towards me. I expect this sort of behaviour from her sister Merlin - but not my little boy!!
Cats are bullies - and you are living with five of them.
>>>I expect this sort of behaviour from her sister Merlin - but not my little boy
I've generally found male cats to be more soft, affectionate and easy-going than females. Perhaps Merlin has been giving Frankie lessons?
>>>and you are living with five of them
Plus guests, of course.
Before Patches arrived two of my neighbours' black cats (whom I call LBC and Shakatu) had been coming into my house regularly, particularly on cold nights. LBC most definitely still regards my house as part of his territory and sleeps on top of my wardrobe most nights (resulting in a lot of hissing and growling from my five). Shakatu also tries to come in sometimes; he had a massive fight with LBC in the middle of my living room earlier this evening!
Then there's little Socks, who lives over the road. He/she is quite shy but still brave enough to nip in through the cat flap for a free meal when he/she thinks that the coast is clear ;-)
Chris I am so envious, I adore cats, my favourites have been torties in the past. I am still threatening OH I'm going to have one, he isn't keen though, but someday!!!
Hi Caran:
I suspect that, sooner or later, a stray will turn up on your doorstep and you'll be able to persuade your OH that it should be allowed in "just while it's cold outside". You'll then have a new friend for life, I'm sure ;-)
Hi Sandy:
That picture proves that can be occasional moments of calm in this house - but they're definitely few and far between!