A hair-cut, a braai and a pregnant cat

Up nice and early – Thank you, Silver! – two cups of coffee and off to shop. Round One. Silver has no interest in going out, I tried tempting her out by carrying the bowl she was nibbling from outside – but I just get puzzled looks. No ‘follow the food outside’, No Sirree! Not falling for that one, Thank You Very Much! Ok, so I lock her up inside. No problem. When I get back she hears plastic rustling and follows me with a hopeful air while I unpack. Not impressed that I’m not making magic food appear, as I should, so she nibbles a bit and strolls out.

Now, what to do in the hour and a half until the hair cut? I’m actually rather tired, as in: I could lie down for a minute and be fast asleep in five.

I’ve been reading up in my blog, four weeks ago, Silver first tentatively explored the inside of my flat – running away if I got anywhere too close; yet by Monday she stood waiting for me to come home at the gate. And started behaving as if she’s always lived here. At the time I thought she might be pregnant, now I’m quite sure. Was quite sure, that is. My neighbour mentioned that she could just have gotten fat on all the regular and good food. Now I have some doubt. Thank you, neighbour! I’m still leaning towards pregnancy, though. She’s bulging in only one area, not getting big all over. On the other hand, though, she was lying next to me last night and I had my hand on her bulge for quite a long time, just scratching her tummy – yet I felt no movement whatsoever. Cats gestate for 65-67 days, so she should be coming to full term any day now. On the other hand, the only time of year they don’t normally conceive is winter – and if she’s pregnant, it’s a winter conception. I should like to take her to a vet for a check-up. I have already decided that after she’s dropped her litter, I’m having her spayed – regardless of whether she leaves me anyway or stays. She’s not old and I’m beginning to suspect she was a kiddie-gift pack from irresponsible parents. Cute as a kitten, but developing her own character as she grew, and kiddie-toy was probably not in her genes. She’s definitely no stranger to indoors – but she’s also never been house-trained. Although, she generally stays off counters and tables – unless, of course, she knows there’s food up there which she wants. And I’m still not sure what possessed her to climb on top of my bookshelf that time!

Aww, she’s so cute sleeping on the chair!

Well, the hair is cut. I found it a bit strange that she only asked ‘How short?’ to which I replied ‘Shoulder length or shorter’ and she started cutting. No ‘what style?’ or anything. I mean, I’m making a major change here – cutting about 20-30cm off. But, since I didn’t really care, I just let her get on with it. I figured it out, afterwards. It’s quite simple, really: EVERYBODY in that Salon has the same hair-cut! Including the customers I saw – afterwards, of course. Something I couldn’t see without my glasses on, after the shampoo! Well, now, I, too, have the same cut! She didn’t even show me what it looks like, afterwards! Well, it’s short. It’s wash-n-wear. And I can still tie it up, if I want to. Good enough.

When I went off for the third time in one day, Sliver had had enough! She ran out and stayed out.

I got to the braai – and nobody else had arrived, yet! Weren’t even on their way, yet – so, to amuse myself, I started weeding. Nearly two hours before people started arriving! And would you believe, nobody noticed that my hair was suddenly short! It was over an hour before one guy finally noticed it! The guys, I sort of expected would either not notice – but the girls? Not a single one of the three said a word! Later on someone else made a comment, and let the cat out of the bag.

We did have a whole lot of fun, though. Bit of a slow start since nothing was really organised, but – as always – we make our own fun! Since Silver was out, and getting near her time, I was a bit on edge, so I left early – well, around eight. One of the guys implored me to call him when the kittens are born! Seriously!

When I got home I was eagerly awaited. Barely had the garage started opening, when a little pink nose peeked over the fence and the complaints started. Running around my feet along the path, up the stairs and trying to push the door open with her bare paws! Food bowl. Then attention time. Now she’s happily napping on the cover behind me. Nearer to me than the chair. Better get to bed, then.