Besides the tray situation, we have these automated feeders which read the microchips in our necks and open a pod of which we eat our kibble from. It works for everyone except Lillibet. Her microchip has migrated to her lower shoulder so she crawls through both feeders until one opens. She really is daft but strangely clever to figure this out. If she stands still enough and doesn't fidget, it all works fine really, but her method ensures is opens every time, even if it does open halfway through the crawl, squashing her stomach. Flaire has different food from us, special food for special cats. You can sneak a few kibbles from her dish by hooking them out with a sharpened claw, you have to be super quick though, because that machine is fast and shuts promptly on thieving paws and you are left bereft of any sustenance. Food is always better stolen. King Slinky taught me that!
There is so much to do here during the day. Big scratch posts which we use to bounce from and to other high places. Kittens to pulverize, although Pearl is learning to fight back now so I have to watch my step. We always have a box on the landing too, it's useful for stalking, sleeping or jumping from, hiding toys in or pouncing on its inhabitants. Such a simple thing with hours of fun. There is the outside CatPod with shelves to watch Horrible Horrace the resident squirrel and his growing family of 3 kits this year. Him and Mrs Horrace really did do well. If ManSlave feeds them lots they don't steal the birds eggs and the garden has lots of song birds, so thankfully it must work and we get entertainment. There is the House of Fun which is brimming with toys and places to birdie watch right next to the glass too where they feed. So we are never bored or create or do bad things or scratch stuff we shouldn't. With the exception of Lillibet, she scratches Momma's landing carpet after chasing us. She is a Landing and Skybridge Troll. None shall pass. But we do and confuse the poor dear soul into a flicking, skin writhing frenzy of pumped up devilment. Can she catch us - no she can't. We call it running the gauntlet, seeing as we are very medieval around here!
Distractions whilst the Parentals are out are a must and the most enjoyable thing I do is to get that Pearl involved in my games, it's more fun then. I turn on the electronic mouse toy. The one where it hides in the cheese. It's good. If I put my paw on the start button she flies from her slumber to join me. Then, I bring her toys and mewl at her to chase me. Sometimes I am moody and don't want to be chased and would rather be the chasee. All these combos work. We can do both. Each time, bouncing over Lillibet on the landing. Oooh, it sends her bonkers! These games are great. Flaire, when not fat with kittens, loves a good chase too, right now she is a hissy spitty paw lashing madam and bites Pearl, so we ignore her and carry on racing and chasing each other and ignore the grumpies. Faith likes the box on the landing, she moans at us, but sometimes she joins in for a few steps then seems to remember she is meant to be grumpy. It's a real shame, she looks fun to play with.
Although we have lots to do, my all time best game ever in the whole of my tiny existence is to have the top from a pouch of meat. It is even better than the meat inside. I will do a rice packet too if a meat one not on the go. I have waited a year for these packet tops as Flaire likes wet food when pregnant and stands pointing at the food cupboard until the Parentals give in and feed her what she needs for her growing brood. That's when I steal my chance to take THE best toy. It flicks and twists and makes crunchy noise. Momma will throw it for me to keep me from the work tops whilst she cooks and I loyally bring it back over and over and over again. I never tire of it. I do have to say though, socks come a very close second to these packet tops and the cat Frenzy is third - the latter needs human intervention so not always 'on tap' as a made up game!
That's all for this week. Nothing much more to tell really, except Flaire had her baby scan and they saw some kittens wriggling about in there and they looked all well and tiny with teeny hearts and tiny paws. It will be my turn next! yikes. Right now, packet tops are more fun than boys!
Love and kisses to my loyal subjects.
Viktori Vee Queen of Rex, Demander of the food, Protector of the house.