Happily Ever After
Life in The Rural Retreat with a beautiful wife, three cats, garden wildlife, a camera, a computer – and increasing amounts about running
Earlier posts can be found on Adventures of a Lone Bass Player, where this blog began life. Recent entries can be found here.
Don't Mess With Maia
by Russell Turner - 14:50 on 13 July 2018
Maia may be a lethargic indoor-loving cat, but when there’s any threat to her home she’s the one running outside when Pandora and Willow are fleeing indoors.
The first drama was signalled by the hurried return of a worried tabby, which brought our black cat to the window then propelled her outside to remonstrate with the dalmatian (an occasional visitor when he slips his lead) who was sniffing around under the bird feeder, probably intrigued by the aroma of badger.
I encourage the dog to leave through the gate, watched by a growling, back-arched, tail-fluffed cat who chased after him to ensure he left the premises. His apologetic owner followed shortly afterwards and a self-satisfied cat returned to the indoors.
Two hours later I was alerted to more drama by the sound of Maia, halfway through the cat-flap, growling at another intruder – Percy, the aged, inoffensive ginger tom owned by new neighbours who was exploring his unfamiliar surroundings. A brief chase ensued, accompanied by much feline shouting, after which Maia returned alone.
Maia – not to be trifled with.
Rabbits must not be a threat because she completely ignored Percy’s chum, Callum, the huge floppy-eared bunny, who had also been sizing up our garden. He ambled away in his own time and all was quiet again.
More confrontations are inevitable. There’s no peace in the country.
Running update: Today I tried my first fartlek run (from the Swedish for speed play) in which jogging is broken up by random bursts at different speeds and durations until the runner’s had enough. It’s supposed to be fun, but being Swedish that’s fun in the same way that diving into icy pools and being hit with birch twigs are. I’ll persevere. It’s supposed to be good for your stamina.
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