Meet Cleocatra Frances Clara Willow White

We've got a baby cat.

Whilst we admit to giving her lots of names - the product of allowing everyone to have a say - the kitten herself has asked that we simply address her as Cleo. (She's really clever, as most cats are)

Born on 18 August 2019 and previously known as Haze, we picked her up from Bradford Cat Watch Rescue at lunchtime yesterday.  There was a big queue and we were very lucky to get her.   

When it was our turn to visit the little area where the kittens live, there were only three left.  Two were with still their mum - Cleo and her sister.  Charlotte chose Cleo, the people next in line chose her sister and her mum.  A happy outcome - hopefully - for all three.

Cleo spent much of last night surveying her new home from under the sofa.  So I slept on it to keep her company during her first few hours of darkness in Guiseley.

All was quiet until around 6am when she decided she wanted to play and, other than a couple of long sleeps during today, she has been a fluffy-faced dynamo ever since.

She's also been shockingly well-behaved.   Not only has she eaten her food and drunk her water, she has used her litter tray right from the off which I really didn't expect.  Her mum clearly trained her well, for which our carpet will be forever grateful.

And now the adventure begins.  She can't leave the house for a few months, which is why the litter tray action is so welcome.  But when it's time for her to explore the outside world, hopefully the fun she'll have had by then will convince her to come back home for her tea.

I'll keep you updated on progress.         

Pussy hunt

I've been doing a little bit of online shopping. 

In the last hour I've bought:

• One interactive cat toys set including 2-way tunnel, bell crinkle balls, sisal mouse, novelty catnip figure and feather teaser wand

• One cat litter scoop with stand

• One cat feeding bowl (with cat ears)

• One cat water bowl (with cat ears)  

• One cat soft slicker brush

• One jungle stripes design patterned scratching board with catnip

• One Trixie Paulo cat litter tray with rim (taupe/cream)

• One bag of Catsan hygiene cat litter (20 litres) 

Yesterday, Charlotte and I visited Pets at Home to pick up a cat carrier.

I also insisted on splashing out £2 for a cat advent calendar.

Yes, you've guessed it, we're getting a dog.  Sorry, cat.

We've talked about it for ages and, as a confirmed cat lover, I've always been in favour.  But Vanessa was less convinced, which was why Charlotte had to settle for a hamster some months ago. 

Unfortunately, Luna has turned out to the most boring hamster in history and her demise can't come too soon. I would imagine our new cat can probably help with that; either by eating her or playing with her in her see through hamster ball until her tiny heart gives out.  I'll keep you updated on that.

Once our purchases arrive tomorrow, we will be missing just one thing.  An actual cat.  

The plan is to tour rescue local centres at half-term and hopefully we'll find one that suits the name Theo or Kit.  Or something totally different, depending on how creative Charlotte is feeling on the big day.  The only name she has definitely ruled out is Barry (which I would have done at birth if someone had bothered to ask me).

So, fun times ahead, until he/she starts bringing dead baby birds into the house, at which point Vanessa will tell me to take it back.  But no, the cat is staying.  Hopefully for about 20 years. I suspect Luna might not see many of them.