It took me a while before I learn't to talk, but I haven't stopped since. I've got an opinion on most things, and love to tell Mum about all the mischief I've been causing while she's been out. Sometimes I get myself in to a spot of bother, and Mum has talked about the most major incidents below, but things like that usually happen because I'm so engrossed in what I'm doing that I get a bit carried away.

I like to rule Mum's house with an iron paw - now that I no longer have Tigger to keep under control Mum has got me two babies to look after (they introduce themselves on their own pages). I mothered Mabel when she arrived, much to Mum's surprise (she even caught me carrying Mabel by the scruff of her neck to the plate of milk that is always left down) and now we're pretty good pals. Mungo needed putting in his place - being a boy he thought he was top cat but I soon let him know who was boss. He still forgets his place from time to time, so I've had to show him how to get stuck up a tree and where the road is (much to Mum's horror!). I'm quite a sociable cat and will tolerate others, as long as I know I'm Mum's number one Princess.

Keeping the babies in line is pretty much a full time job these days, but I do manage to squeeze in a few hobbies of my own. They are:

1. Keeping the local wildlife population under control. Everything, from worms and slugs to rabbits, rats, birds, mice and voles, are completely at my mercy out there. I live in a natural conservation area where wildlife is encouraged especially for my entertainment - it couldn't be more perfect!
2. Disapproving of the food Mum attempts to feed me. Only the most expensive varieties are acceptable, and I've trained Mum to recognise this by either refusing to eat what is there or by attempting to cover it as though it was something in the litter tray. She soon realises what I think of it and rushes out to buy the real thing.
3. I bet you've already guessed that hunting is one of my favourite hobbies. Mum helps me with this by locking the cat flap at night. I used to think she was trying to curtail my freedom - think of all those little animals out there to play hunting games with - but she's actually doing me a favour. While I get a good night's sleep and a fuss from Mum, I'm not out there totally decimating the local wildlife so my hunting supplies will stay plentiful!
4. Hampering, I mean helping! Whether Mum is cooking, or reading, or trying to have a bath, or even making something, I'm not far away to give her a hand. I love helping in the kitchen - I've trained Mum to let me on the kitchen units whenever I want, which is always particularly useful if I'm extra hungry and need feeding straight away. Mum always appreciates my help when she's reading - if she's reading a book then I plonk my bum on it, and if she's reading a newspaper I take running leaps at it. It makes such a nice rustly noise I can't resist it!
5. The rest of the time is spent making sure those babies don't step out of line, or forget their place in life. That is, when I'm not recovering from one of my incident's!

Read on to discover how being too big for my boots has got me into trouble at:
Curiosity And The Cat

Golly