I have decided that I need a pet, a companion animal to enrich my life. I know I have two human pets. But they are so large and blundering. In a way humans don't make very good pets for us cats. They are dominating AND stupid. I think it would be nicer to have something smaller and cleverer. I thought about a worm. At one point, when I was only a kitten, I was very interested in worms. They wriggle very nicely and I found that intriguing. I would sit and look at them for hours and once or twice I brought one back home for Celia. She didn't appreciate it much but what human does gratitude when we bring things to them?
I'd like something more ambitious. Celia, whose daily misconduct includes going out instead of staying at home ready to service my needs when I pop in, came home smelling of rabbit yesterday. She had been sitting in the pen with Matilda, a large female rescue rabbit at the Blue Cross in Burford. The aim is to make Matilda more friendly and less feisty. She will get up on Celia's lap but if Celia tries to cuddle her, she is off doing a kind of rebel's lap round the enclosure. She also grunts with dislike if cornered. All in all, not a stupid bunny.
Matilda, I thought to myself, would make a nice companion animal for me. She smells delicious. She is warm and furry and I could snuggle up to her on the bed at night. She would take up less room than Celia on the bed. She is also brighter than Celia. Rabbits (unlike humans) understand scent marking. even if they do smell different. I am told some house rabbits live happily with cats and even intimidate them.
I am badly in need of some rabbit exercise. I haven't caught one for ages and ages. Matilda might fill the gap in my life and I wouldn't just leave her to Celia to look after. I would take a close interest in her every move.
If I got bored with her, I could just eat her.
We have a Matilda in this house, but she isn't a rabbit - she is human, just! She is very furry first thing in the morning with her hair all over the place - good for kneading. HOWEVER she smells strongly of her cat who she leaves at home in London when she comes to visit - she is called Moo (!) and is a house cat. Matilda rescued her after her old lady died and the Cats Protection were looking after her, she is quite an elderly cat and has never been in the great outdoors, though Matilda tells me that she is a great mouser even so. The mice creep in under the door - but she is vigilant and keeps an eye out all the time.
ReplyDeleteMeanwhile George 'good luck' with finding another pet. I myself am extremely stressed at the moment - my house is full of workmen, drills, holes, falling down ceilings, and large bangs. My food is being put down in the wrong place! BUT there are mice coming out of the (taken down) skirting boards... so hunting is good and escaping to the attic for a cuddle with Matilda is good but everything else is HORRID.
George you're a genius! Edible pets!!! what a way forward... must talk to human and try and persuade her that pet mouse would go down (please excuse the pun) really rather well!
ReplyDeletepurring in anticipation
Jaffa
Mate, what a brilliant idea! A PET rabbit! I don't think my human would ever consider getting me a pet rabbit. Sometimes I manage to find small ones out in our garden, they made wonderful snacks! I really prefer chipmunks that hide in the ivy in the backyard. They are smaller and fun to catch and are bite size.
ReplyDeleteGeorge, look closely at Matilda's back legs and strong front ones. I think you would have quite a battle on your hands should you try to eat her. Her face looks very worldly wise too.
ReplyDeleteHarvey
Love to my friend Celia.