21/5/2012
We all know the house is not really my sanctum any more. For some perverse reason the Longlegs ( I hesitate to call them mine now) seem to have formed a bond with the ever increasing pack of rodents, and that’s despite one of them chewing a hole in the fur The Her wears when she gets up from her sleeping place. How well I remember the roar of disapproval from ‘The Him’ ( I trust the lack of the word MY here hurts and chastens them) when I ‘accidentally’ unravelled part of the sleeve from his fur.
So, today here I am outside the clearway lying in the warm light from above and enjoying the odd snooze. I mean, we all have skills and this is one of my better ones.
I woke up long enough to greet the Longlegs who brings things to put through the door that makes My ‘The Him’ ( yes, I know I’m far too forgiving but one has to treat ones pets well) shout loudly at My ”The Her’ ” What on earth have you bought this time. Timeshares on the Moon”? The Postie as they call her seemed to recoil on spotting me. I know our previous encounter was unfortunate but be fair it was hardly my fault was it. I was being summarily ejected at the time and gripping her leg was an automatic reaction. She’d have been fine if her leg furs had been longer.
Anyway, I spent a lot of time dozing in the warmth till Ginger came round a suggested a walk through the village. This can often be a rewarding adventure given that some Longlegs leave their clearways open which must be an invitation mustn’t it? And not being rude, it would be a shame not to take advantage of their generosity. After all, some of them don’t have Superiors of their own to spoil. A nice roast chicken was our reward for a visit today which we ate in the shelter of the woods. Purely to shelter from the sun you understand. After which I decided to return home while Ginger decided to carry on exploring by which I expect he meant find some milk that hadn’t been taken in yet.
I had just reached home and started to lay down when I heard a scream.” Look out David, she’s making a break for the door.” I was startled by the noise and jumped in the air, just at the moment when the rodent called Penny appeared in the open clearway.
As I was already in ‘alert’ mode I couldn’t jump any higher but surprisingly the rodent did. Seeing me and watching me jump she turned tail and retreated back into the house where she was scooped up by My ‘The Her’ and placed back into her cage.
“Oh Oscar, you brave cat, what a good boy you are. David, put Oscar some chicken out.”
said My ‘The Her’ and despite not wanting more chicken some was placed out for me. My ‘The Her’ patted the seat beside her as an invitation to jump up, something that’s been sadly lacking recently. But as I’ve pointed out I’m a forgiving owner so up I jumped to enjoy a period of stroking and praises about my bravery in saving the day. So I’m a hero again which is as it should be and all of a sudden there’s no sniggering from the rodents who know I faced one of their own down and won.
barsetshirediaries 
Oh happy day, Oscar is a hero, loved this latest installation of Oscar’s exploits and also really loved the video and of course the photo of those beautiful kids. Massive hugs my friend and have a glorious week.
Thanks you so much Suzanne. I’m glad you enjoyed his latest exploit and his ‘Hero’ video and especially the picture of my monsters. I shall have a great week and hope you echo it.
xxx Sending Mammoth Hugs to you xxx
It’s so nice when events go unexpectedly well for our furry friends and they can be a hero again, even if it is just in their own eyes….. 🙂 Two neighbour cats were scrapping last night and Orlando, who was inside with me, made his tail really big and strutted out the door right behind me to give them what for. He was truly pleased with himself and told the puppy so as well. Aren’t they funny!! Hugs to you David xo
For that moment in time Oscar saw himself as getting the respect he knew he deserved. Just as well he never knew irony.
Sounds like Orlando was a hero in giving two scrappers his opinion and it’s only fair to share the story with the puppy.
Yes, they can be really funny Pauline.
xxx Sending Huge Hugs to you xxx
Oscar the brave hero. Supermeow! Love it. Hugs and hugs again, David ❤
It had to happen one day, even by accident Ina.
xxx Hugs Galore xxx ❤
David,
It’s been a while. Just wanted to say how adorable the babies are!
Aren’t we fortunate to have little ones to keep us smiling.
Hugs, N
On Sun, Feb 5, 2017 at 5:07 PM, barsetshirediaries wrote:
> davidprosser posted: ” 21/5/2012 We all know the house is not really > my sanctum any more. For some perverse reason the Longlegs ( I hesitate to > call them mine now) seem to have formed a bond with the ever increasing > pack of rodents, and that’s despite one of them chewing a” >
It has been a while Normandie, though I do still keep a weather eye open for you.
Yes, we’re very fortunate to have the babies though Reuben is now three and a half and Amelie 13 months so not quite so little any more. They’re both doing well and keep me on my toes. I’m sure yours are the same. I think the last time we spoke you had a birth pending and we were close together in due dates.
I hope you’re well and the writing is still flowing.
xxx Massive Hugs xxx
Little Ella is also three and a half and Finn just turned one, so that’s fun! Maybe one day they can have an across-the-ocean play date.
Their ages couldn’t be closer.
xxx Hugs Galore xxx ❤ ❤
Good for Oscar. And the kids are looking ever more gorgeous. Thanks, David!
I’m sure Oscar would take all the plaudits he could get Olga. Thank you, the kiddies scrub up well.
xxx Massive Hugs xxx
Serendipty is a wondrous thing. 🙂
It is indeed and you have to take advantage when it happens.
xxx Gigantic Hugs xxx
I should have know better. I was beginning to feel sorry for Oscar before he went for a walk in the village. That was a fun post, and then you rewarded us with a photo of your precious ones.
xxx huge hugs xxx
He had a habit of turning things to his advantage Anne. I’m so glad you found the post fun and enjoyed it. Thanks for also liking the picture of my tribe. I hope you were able to hear Oscar’s adopted theme tune.
xxx Ginormous Hugs xxx
More of the delightful (and courageous) Oscar. And another beautiful photo… what more could I possibly ask of a Sunday evening? Thank you David. Mega hugs!
You’re beyond kind Teagan. I’m glad you enjoyed his latest escapade and still find him delightful. That you liked the photo of the terrible twins is a bonus.
I adore you.
xxx Massive Hugs xxx
Oscar deserved a present of a cape and underpants for that! He would probably have been disgusted, though…
I think you may be right Helen, he’s have seen dressing as a human as a come down.At lest it means you enjoyed his show for which I’m ever grateful.
xxx Stupendous Hugs xxx
A delightful romp, I’m looking forward to reading more! Bravo, Oscar!!
I’m so glad you enjoyed it. You’ve missed most of his escapades but here are still a few to come.
xxx Huge Hugs xxx
He is a delight! I’m glad there are more to come…
Love the photo of your grandkids and the story. Here is the latest Rat News from New York.
I’m glad you enjoyed the story DeBorah and the photo. I’m also glad the brown rat has had it’s reputation restored. Clean and intelligent they are.
xxx Massive Hugs xxx
I knew, Oscar – all of your REAL friends knew – and finally your two-legses seem to be coming back to their senses, recalling what a magnificent beast you’ve always been and always will be. Rats indeed!
Woof! TINK
Thanks Tink, even I have to admit that the rats are quite bright though I still don’t want to come across them too often…..for their own safety that is.
Miouw , Oscar.
xxx Massive Hugs Madelyn xxx
VERY kind of you, Oscar, not to want to scare the rats. Scientists say that rats have an inbred fear of cat smell, you know – that even healthy rats who have *never* been exposed before register fear immediately. (toxoplasma gondii changes things a bit – but that’s a lot to explain in a comment – lol)
Jaak Panksepp (father of affective neuroscience and known in the popular press as “the rat tickler”) has learned that rats communicate in the ultrasonic frequency – less likely to be “overheard” by predators — and that there are certain bands that indicate play vocalizations.
In the absence of fear — i.e., no predator smells, not picked up by tail, not recently marked with pens (done to white rats to ID them), etc — they actually enjoy playing with the “hands” of his [cruelty-free] lab staff. When fearful, they avoid hands.
Panksepp says that in his lab, his rats have a play box. All it takes is a teensy amount of a cat hair in the corner of the box, and the rats not only do not play, most freeze in the center of the box. It can take a week before they get over it. So I have to admit, my sympathies are with the tinier spirits right now.
Probably a great idea for you to stay far away from them, Oscar – and to understand when your humans play with the rats BEFORE they play with you.
David, Panksepp speaks of data results skewed in another lab when a rat lab was next door to a cat lab and scientists crossed back and forth from one to another – and the differences in rat behavior in the AM when a tech came from a home where his cat had been sitting on his lap.
xx,
mgh
It’s funny Madelyn but the girls never showed any problems being brought into the house where Oscar ruled the roost.The only time they showed real interest was when his tail got close and they thought it a plaything. We had the girls out two at a time in the morning for breakfast so they could play in our dressing gown pockets and sleeves and run around the settee as they wanted. Oscar wasn’t barred from the room but usually sat on the furthest chair away.
xxx Huge Hugs xxx
Interesting. Maybe rats bred as pets are developing differently? Wonderful that everybody gets along – at least relatively well :).
xx,
mgh
Go, go, Oscar!
You want him to go anywhere in particular Mick?
Hugs
Maybe somewhere quiet with one or two of the rodents, where he won’t be disturbed…
Hugs back!
Glad to see you’re finally being appreciated again, Oscar ❤
The little horror was never unappreciated Jemima, though that wouldn’t make a good story for him.
xxx Unlimited Hugs xxx
Lovely picture of Reuben and Amelie. Oscar was quite the hero by accident. 😀 — Suzanne
Thank you Suzanne, I thought it was a good picture too.
Oscar will take the praise any way he can get it, even if its not really his.
xxx Mammoth Hugs xxx
Yay for Oscar! 🙂
Such a fun photo of your grandchildren. They’re adorable. Reuben looks like he’s either laughing about something, or planning a bit of mischief.
Hugs, David!
I think your last guess is probably your best Merril. He can be a real scamp sometimes.
xxx Humongous Hugs xxx
But an adorable scamp! 🙂
Oh yes, without a doubt. ❤
Snoozing is one of my better skills 🙂 🐱 🐾 🐈 hugs! 🐻
I could win prizes for it.
xxx Massive Hugs xxx
Hehe. Xo
Hail to the returning Hero. So glad the ship is right again. Good one David.
Many thanks John. Needless to say he gave the girls a wide berth for a long time afterwards.
Hugs
Ha ha ha. 😀
Precious, beautiful grand babies, David! Soon they too will have ideas and clues about Oscar’s amusing Kingdom. Cat litter-chair (literature) rules! I feel like a human lab rat in a pesty, intellectual village. %
I’m afraid they’ll have to learn about Oscar from a book now as his Kingdom ended when he died in 2012. Reuben has his own book to read as he grows full of funny animal poems, I’m trying to do the same for Amelie.
Not sure why you feel like a lab rat in an intellectual village since your music posts show that can’t be true.
xxx Huge Hugs xxx
As a child I recall, actually seeing ghost cats. Because of this, I have come to the conclusion, that cats do have 9 lives. Thank you for the continual shares of Oscar’s presence ( I experience much from a rat’s perspective). Reading for the grandchildren,.. whether funny, exciting or Oscar– all are superb! Granduer Hugs!!
I think Oscar had used all nine of his plus a couple of reserves before he left. If he’s around again now he must have got another via a bank loan.I’d be worried as I now keep a budgie.
Thank you for your kind comments.
xxx Massive Hugs xxx ❤
A real tired cat … understandable. But, there’s something humorous here. LOL! LOL . Hugs!
Thank you. I always try to find the humour in a situation and Oscar gave me plenty of chances.
xxx Huge Hugs xxx
Hooray for Hero Oscar! And for beautiful grandbabies too! Hugs galore, my friend!
Thank you Jill.Oscar would still be celebrating the epithet if he were still alive. My beautiful grandbabies may have to celebrate that one all their lives.
xxx Hugs Unlimited Jill xxx ❤
Strokes for Oscar and soft hugs for your delightful little ones. Xxx ❤
Thank you very much Jane, Oscar will have to wait for his until I find a medium but the children will get their hugs this week.
xxx Gigantic Hugs xxx
I see spirit, so to me Oscar is very much with you. There is no beginning and no end…it just is. The ‘is’ is ❤ always. xXx much love flowing to you all. x ❤
If he’s still around I’d better keep an eye on the budgie.
xxx Huge Hugs xxx ❤ ❤
Chuckling…. xXx ❤
Oscar plays the hero for a tasty reward. Better than exploring the bins with Ginger! Love the photo, David 🙂 xx Huge Hugs xx
Oscar liked the easy way Diana. Food served to him rather than a take-away. Glad you liked the photo, thank you.
xxx Gigantic Hugs xxx ❤
Always fun to come to Oscar’s world here, David. He never fails to give us a smile. And then of course there’s the photos of your adorable grandkids! XOXO tremendous hugs to you XO
Thanks so much Pamela, It’;s always a treat to welcome you back. I’m so glad he brings a smile and that you’re always so kind about my pictures.
xxx Sending you xxx Massive Hugs xxx
Sending love and hugs to amazing Oscar. That’s my doggie’s name too! 🙂 X
Thanks so much, it’s always lovely to welcome a new friend. Hello to your Oscar too.
xxx Hugs Galore xxx
How sweet! Thank you! 🙂
So very pleased to hear that Oscar was the hero of the day, David. Good for him. I’m sure the chicken was eaten up later on. And who could not resist a cwtch on the sofa? I do feel sorry for the postie and that first meeting, though. I’m sure she got over it.
Thursday hugs.
Hero of the day in his own head you mean Hugh. He certainly found his appetite for chicken returned quite quickly that day. He was always ready for a cwtch on his own terms which in Ju’s case meant nearly always and n mine just occasionally.
The postie recovered well with a nice box of chocolates and I didn’t have to put up a ‘Beware of the cat ” sign when I explained Oscar had been ejected rather than jumping at her.
Hugs my friend.
This somehow got lost in my spam folder in my email – this and 20 + other emails. I’m pleased I found it (and them, well, mostly). Oscar is long-suffering, isn’t he as heroes often are, bravely making their way saving each and every day!
Lovely photo, dear David, inside a delightful post. Hope this weekend treats you well, my friend.
Massive chickeny hugs xoxox
You are a sucker for punishment Sweetie. Just think, you could have left it sitting in spam.
I’m almost sure you meant Oscar caused long suffering, and I might add mainly to me. But then I wonder if you’re just smoking something you shouldn’t as you mention him saving every day…………
Glad you liked the photo Donna, and the post. I wish you treats this weekend of your own choice.
xxx Humongous Hugs xxx
lol I’m having a bit of a lark, David, but sometimes my humour isn’t as funny as I think. 😉
Your humour has never failed to make me smirk or laugh outright. It’s even funnier than you think it is. Oscar wasn’t though, he was often the bane of my life, a real mummy’s boy and an unwanted alarm clock to me.
xxx Gigantic Hugs xxx
Oh, I love when he says, “I’m a forgiving owner.” It’s an “awww,” moment. The grandkids look like they’re up to something, especially Reuben. Adorable. 🙂
Reuben’s always thinking up mischief Mary J. I hope Amelie will be long suffering instead of being the same way.
xxx Massive Hugs xxx
Charming post, David!
xxx Huge Hugs xxx
Thanks so much Margaret.
I thought I’ve not heard from you in a while so I checked and found WordPress had turned off the notifications…..I’ve corrected that.
xxx Massive Hugs xxx
Hooray for Oscar! Love the kids’ pix :-)))
Thanks so much Yvette. You’re very missed you know but I hope all is going well.
xxx Huge Hugs xxx