While it can't be said that I've lost any weight, my bones do appear to be protruding; I'm a month away from my second birthday, so I'm getting on a bit. I suspect from the way that Helena now handles me that she perceives my state as being fragile.
However, while I no longer feel able to scale the heights, I still enjoy scurrying across the living room floor and my appetite is still good. I've always slept a lot - so no change there.

Rema

It feels like a long time since we last had a run around in our room downstairs. Admittedly, the last time I was down there I ran straight back upstairs again; it's a lot more comfortable up here. Basically, it's warmer. Up here I can lie on our hammock and relax; down there I had to huddle up and surround myself with paper to keep warm. And now that Rema is less mobile, she hadn't been able to climb up to our nest area there, so she's much better off here too. Though I guess she misses sitting on the cardboard box, infront of the radiator. Her favorite spot now is under the over hang of the sofa throw, there's a warm spot, where heat rises through the floorboard, on which we all love to sit.

I guess it's a sign of age, but we all seem a lot less able. I remember when we could all climb up the long legs of plant stand and scale the clothes horse. The White One was particularly able and used to perch herself on the door handle, it would be difficult to imagine her doing that now. It doesn't seem so long ago when each of us was able jump up, from the floor, onto the seat of the white chair. Now I'd need help climbing up it. Yes, we could do with a bit more exercise, but hey, isn't lovely to just take things easy and...chill?

Great! Another one has turned up.

I seem to be missing some paper bags, the ones that had been on the floor. Anyone seen them?

BRAZIL NUTS

I LOVE brazil nuts.

And the nuts I love more than brazil nuts? PINE NUTS.

Pine nuts are my favorite nuts.

Hmm...

Hmm...

Old cheese breath, Romula, has joined me. That's nice, Helena's stroking me. Hmm...this is cosy. Romula's now climbing up onto the sofa. Not sure if I feel able to climb up after her. Nah, think I'll just stay down here; theres nothing much to do up there. Hmm...

I've come out for a wander under the sofa throw. Hmm

I wonder what will happen to her steak. Hmm

This is the second day in a row that Romula has declined steak. I wonder whether she has become a vegetarian. She seemed content with her piece of gruyere.

Cave-aged and ewes milk

So Helena and I had a private cheese tasting session. We often have the opportunity to enjoy parmesan and today I sampled cave-aged gruyere and manchego, made with ewes milk. I preferred the manchego and I know that Helena did too. I hope that in future we have it instead of the parmesan. Not that I'm complaining about the parmesan.

Rema and The White One were later offered the gruyere, which they accepted.

So Helena stopped applying smelly colour to the surface in front of which she had been standing.





I wonder whether she will return to it.





It would be good to get some fresh air in here.

Today we had the run of the upstairs room. I spent the evening under the sofa throw, Rema behind one of the curtains and The White One under the linen press. Made a change. Helena took up residency on her large cushion and talked for a long time.

...better...

An less blank canvas

Helena spent some time standing still today. I took the opportunity to nestle up against her foot and take a nap.










I don't think the eyes look quite right.

Blank Canvas

There was much activity in our room the other day which involved the moving of furniture and things that made rustling sounds.

For the first time in ages we were given spaghetti and Rema got covered in it. Not sure how that came about. Something to do with The White One. It looked quite surreal to see her walk away with strands of it stuck to her coat and trailing behind her.

I forgot to mention, I spotted a familiar face whilst on my travels, but couldn't quite place it...

Changes

I've no idea where this picture was taken or where we were going. It was the usual story of being bungled into the travel home and taken on a ride. The smells and air temperatures would vary. Then our spaces would change. Rema and The White One's smell was a constant and Helena's regular. We revisited a sofa which bore historic scents and heard sounds which were familiar. After some time we encountered completely new smells and sounds. No idea where we were, how long we would be there or what would happen next, but Helena's smell was around, sometimes weak sometimes stronger. Fed as usual. Now back in our regular space. Temperature changes more varied. Caresses from Helena more appreciated.

Mmmmm.....

I'm worth it, but was it?

I don't know where to put myself sometimes, the pain is so intense.

Helena took me back to the place that smells of dogs and when we returned home I was given some yoghurt and honey, which had a strange after taste.

Today I've been allowed to sleep on Helena's bed. Hmmm. I just need to rest.

Better

I'm now lying on the hammock with The White One and really happy to be back in the same space as the others. I feel so much more energised than I have been the past couple of days.

My armpits feel sensitive; it's weird to no longer have the weight and the bulk I'd been carrying there. Yes, I feel so much better today.

Home at Last

I feel really rough and weak. In pain. And I smell funny.

Helena appeared.

Now I'm back home. I can smell Rema and 'The White One'. But I'm on my own in the travel home. Feeling a bit sorry for myself.

Helena gave me some of my favorite food; yoghurt and honey and pine nuts. Among other things, but I wasn't interested.

Feeling thirsty. Groggy.

I'll try and sleep a bit.

Ourghhh

I feel fuzzy. I can't quite wake up.

Still no sign of a familiar smell

No Say

The future lies not in our paws.

Helena dictates what we are fed and when we are fed; where we are to be located and when we are to be relocated.
Our choices are limited to when we eat and when we sleep and what we do within or designated spaces.
We can only interact with Helena when she makes herself available to us.

This morning, for the first time, I travelled alone in the travel home. I was taken to a place that smelled of other creatures and I was left there.

What is to become of me....?

Lap Rat

Paper Run

A sheet of brown paper appeared on the floor of our room. It lay in the corner, diagonally opposite our house.

With a view to it becoming our bedding, my twin, the unnamed one and I conveyed it as far as the blackboard, where it became stuck under the structure. It was at this point that I took it upon myself to see the job through and set about tearing the paper, piece by piece, to transport back to our bedroom.

Here I am in action....

Say parmigiano reggiano

I welcomed the cheese, but once the lights started flashing I was off

Romula

The puzzled look has now left Helena's face. I think I know why.

The plant stand, upon which we like to sit and enjoy the view, had become occupied by an unusual surface; quite difficult to negotiate. No idea what it was about.


And today, Helena came to remove it. She looked puzzled. Was something amiss?

It might look like a map to you;

to my eyes, it's bedding.

Land of paper and cables

On occasion, we've been able to access the table top from the chair, though I've sensed it's not Helena's intention we should go onto it; we're always swiftly removed when found located on its surface. It's a treasure trove of papers and cables and along one side, two pictures are propped against the wall, creating a darkened tunnel, where we like to hide.

Routine

Life's been pretty samey of late.

After our nights in confinement, we're taken down to our day room, given our breakfast and have a brief run around before bedding down for the day.

Helena has also moved into our room, so when she is there, I nap on her lap. When she's not there, and now that the days are warmer and I don't need to snuggle up with the others, I'll sleep on her chair. It's a new one; soft and furry.I sometimes take bits of it back to our nest; the yellow, spongy part.

I can see another £74.75 invoice on its way....

(See October 11th 2009)

Good grief!

Helena was startled when I awoke.  She'd completely forgotten that I had begun the evening on her shoulder and stayed there as she went about her activities.

Bed frame with a view

Took a climb up the bed frame.  Stopped halfway to take in the view then made my way to the summit.  I stayed there for the best part of the evening, in silent meditation, before heading home for supper.

You can't beat...

an old panettone box to kip in.