Sainte Marie, Mère de Dieu: Sa Maj has reached the incredible number of five hundred – yes, FIVE HUNDRED – followers. This is quite something given that, when I began Le Blog all those years ago, I thought perhaps my mum and about a dozen friends might read it (and that most of them would get bored after a week or two).

Back then, the original aim was to reach out to other humans with allergic cats, in the hope of finding someone who had a cat like Louis Catorze and perhaps even finding a cure for his allergy. I never did find that cure, and I certainly didn’t find another cat like Catorze (which is probably just as well), but Le Blog has introduced me to lovely people from all over the world, and their wonderful furry overlords.

I have lost the odd follower along the way, most notably the group of bodybuilders who started following when I added the key word “steroids” to my tags. Unsurprisingly, when they came to realise that this was actually a blog about a silly black cat and not about performance-enhancing substances, one by one they fell away. I can’t say I’m surprised, as Catorze has that sort of effect on people. But how delightful that the hardcore among you have hung on in there. If you’re still here, MERCI BEAUCOUP, especially if you have been around since the beginning.

Here is the very first photo of Catorze, taken in his foster mamma’s garden on the day we brought him home in July 2014:

A bit rough around the edges.

And here he is now (taken yesterday):

Not really any improvement, but tant pis.
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37 responses to “On a dépassé cinq cents!”

  1. Lou Carreras avatar

    As Catorze groupies we are kind of wondering when the t-shirts are going to be available?

    Liked by 4 people

    1. iamthesunking avatar
      iamthesunking

      Hahahaha! We did actually give a Catorze t-shirt to his favourite vet when she left the practice. (Her departure had nothing to do with him, might I add.)

      Liked by 2 people

    2. Emma avatar

      I’m less interested in a t-shirt (I’m wayyyyyy bigger the regular sizes lol) but I would like some sort of merchandise. A plushie would be right up my alley xD

      Liked by 2 people

      1. iamthesunking avatar
        iamthesunking

        Haha, there was à Sainsbury’s plushie doing the rounds a few years ago which a friend discovered and nicknamed Mini Roi. It had perfect almond-shaped Catorze eyes but it lacked two very important features. 🧛‍♂️

        Liked by 2 people

        1. Emma avatar

          Oh, I remember seeing photos and I really wanted one, but I couldn’t justify ordering food from them just to buy a plushie (and I can’t get to the shop in person). Probably a good thing, because I have nowhere to put such a wonderful beast, but still. SO jealous. xD

          Liked by 1 person

          1. iamthesunking avatar
            iamthesunking

            A wonderful beast! 🤣

            Liked by 1 person

  2. barrybdoyle avatar
    barrybdoyle

    C’est bien que je fasse partie des 500, j’en suis très content. Voici les 500 prochains!

    Liked by 2 people

    1. iamthesunking avatar
      iamthesunking

      Et en plus, tu es ici depuis le début! Merci!

      Like

  3. Mary Henderson avatar
    Mary Henderson

    You may not see it but there is a huge difference between the two photos. The one taken yesterday shows a bright eyed cat with a beautiful sleek shiny coat. You are obviously doing everything right for Catorze and l’m sure he appreciates it in his own way🤣!

    Liked by 2 people

    1. iamthesunking avatar
      iamthesunking

      Haha, merci! He doesn’t really appreciate it but, as Cat Daddy says, “We’re stuck with him now.”

      Liked by 1 person

  4. Charles Huss avatar

    500 is something to be happy about. I remember when I was happy that ten people followed me. I thought if I could just brighten the day of a few people then it would be worth it.

    Liked by 2 people

    1. iamthesunking avatar
      iamthesunking

      Yes, I’d have been happy with a dozen or so! It’s quite incredible that anyone would want to follow a silly black cat who doesn’t do much. 🐈‍⬛

      Liked by 2 people

      1. Charles Huss avatar

        In my case, I like knowing there is someone out there who understands what I go through. 🙂

        Liked by 1 person

        1. iamthesunking avatar
          iamthesunking

          Haha, yes, although I only have one. You have a whole gang of them!

          Like

          1. Charles Huss avatar

            Yes but only one pita. 🙂

            Liked by 1 person

  5. Sally Goodman avatar
    Sally Goodman

    He totally fell on his paws when you and CD took him in. He couldn’t have found more loving slaves 🙂
    (And yes, t-shirts please!!!!)
    xxxxxx

    Liked by 1 person

    1. iamthesunking avatar
      iamthesunking

      Cat Daddy always says we were tricked by too-flattering photos … 🤣

      Liked by 1 person

  6. sevencatsandcounting avatar

    Félicitations! Technically, I expect you have more than 500 followers. The 6 Cats, 4 Woofies and I all share an account, so that’s 11 followers. (Tee-shirts would be nice, but I’d also go for a coffee mug or a yearly calendar…)

    Liked by 2 people

    1. iamthesunking avatar
      iamthesunking

      Haha, merci! If I knew how to do it, I’d create a mug that emitted his screaming when filled!

      Liked by 1 person

      1. sevencatsandcounting avatar

        Ooh… Maybe you could just record le roi and sell his meow as a custom ring tone?

        Liked by 2 people

        1. iamthesunking avatar
          iamthesunking

          Nobody would buy it! People would pay NOT to have it. In fact, that might be the way forward if I am ever to make money from his scream: £1 for anything with it, £35 for anything without it.

          Liked by 1 person

  7. mmechapeau avatar
    mmechapeau

    I don’t belong to your cat’s followers, but I like your way of telling us his feats.
    I don’t belong to humans with allergic cats either, but I enjoy reading Louis Catorze’s adventures all the same.
    🙂

    Liked by 1 person

    1. iamthesunking avatar
      iamthesunking

      Merci! 😊 C’est très gentil. Catorze certainly provides us with plenty of material for Le Blog.

      Like

  8. Kate Crimmins avatar

    I read to make me grateful for my cats. Take that any way you want!

    Liked by 1 person

    1. iamthesunking avatar
      iamthesunking

      🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣

      Liked by 1 person

  9. catladymac avatar
    catladymac

    We found your blog lately – can’t remember where of course- but have had enough of our own ups and downs to appreciate your “adventures.”

    Liked by 1 person

    1. iamthesunking avatar
      iamthesunking

      “Adventures” is one way of putting it! 🤣🤣🤣

      Like

  10. Belle avatar
    Belle

    Congratulations! Le Rois’ antics and his adventures with his peanut gallery of frenemies always brighten my day. Thank you for sharing your “little shite”. Long may he reign! 🤣💙

    Liked by 1 person

    1. iamthesunking avatar
      iamthesunking

      “Peanut gallery of frenemies”! 🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣

      Like

  11. Dippy avatar
    Dippy

    Congrats on the 500 😀 One of my 7 cats (Marble) has similar issues to Louis, I’ve really enjoyed your journey and have also tried some of your foods and ideas to help her. Here’s to another 500 xxx

    Liked by 1 person

    1. iamthesunking avatar
      iamthesunking

      Aww, Marble! How is she doing?

      Like

  12. cat9984 avatar

    Congratulations! He is a beautiful cat.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. iamthesunking avatar
      iamthesunking

      Merci! In some light he looks atrocious but he’s happy enough! He doesn’t know he’s a mess! 🤣

      Liked by 1 person

  13. Aspasía S. Bissas avatar

    I’m laughing at the confusion those bodybuilders must have felt 😀

    Congratulations on the milestone! Sorry I wasn’t here from the beginning, but I will stick around 🙂

    Liked by 1 person

    1. iamthesunking avatar
      iamthesunking

      Haha, don’t be silly, we’re very grateful for anyone who is here. Lovely to have you!

      Liked by 1 person

  14. Aspasía S. Bissas avatar

    Well, thank you 🙂 And thanks for sharing Catorze’s foibles!

    Liked by 1 person

    1. iamthesunking avatar
      iamthesunking

      And he has many of them! 😳😳😳

      Liked by 1 person

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