The Samhain demons have delivered me a belated gift: Covid! Yes, again!

As was the case the first time I had Covid, there were signs that this wasn’t just normal winter unwellness: Louis Catorze was all over me for the few days prior to my eventual positive test. Not only did he approach me of his own accord for cuddles, but he clung onto me with his claws, wailing pathetically, when I tried to displace him. However, as a result of the utterly dreadful symptoms, I have been off sick from work, which is entirely the opposite of what the little sod wants. Since the virus led to me spending more time at home, he’s back to his “normal” self.

Catorze doesn’t like sick people, especially when they sneeze. By this I don’t mean he is scared of sneezes but, rather, in disbelief that anyone would dare to assault his eardrums with such an offensive sound. On a couple of occasions he has tentatively settled onto my lap, only to depart when the sneeze came. And, as he left, he threw me a glowering stare and what could only be described as a wicked-witch scowl.

I have since seen him leave his papa’s lap in exactly the same way when Cat Daddy sneezed.* And this time he came to me.

*Oh yes: Cat Daddy is now experiencing symptoms, too. We have had to cancel a multitude of events – for most of which we had spent money on tickets – as a result. This is not great.

Cat Daddy hasn’t tested positive yet, but it’s only a matter of time. During the torturous wait for his telltale purple lines we are playing a kind of twisted game of tennis, with one of us sneezing, propelling scowly Catorze to the other person’s lap, only for them to sneeze and return him.

It can’t be any coincidence that the tennis term “deuce” is used to refer to both the devil, and to, erm, merde. Catorze is both. He knows it. And he doesn’t care.

This is the look we get when we sneeze.
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32 responses to “L’as de pique”

  1. Leah avatar

    Sorry to hear this! Hope you both recover quickly.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. iamthesunking avatar
      iamthesunking

      Merci!

      Liked by 1 person

  2. mmechapeau avatar

    I do hope you will recover quickly. I also hope Cat Daddy will avoid Covid.
    And even if his colour is not really suitable, I like picturing Louis as a tennis ball.
    😺

    Liked by 2 people

    1. iamthesunking avatar
      iamthesunking

      Merci! And, yes, he would make a funny tennis ball. Wrong colour but right size!

      Liked by 1 person

      1. mmechapeau avatar

        Poor Louis. Fortunately, he is unlikely to read your reply.
        😺

        Liked by 1 person

        1. iamthesunking avatar
          iamthesunking

          And if he could, he wouldn’t care!

          Liked by 1 person

  3. Herman avatar
    Herman

    Oh no, sorry to read this news. I got my 3th booster shot a few weeks ago. Up to now, I never caught the virus… Get better soon! Have a great weekend, my friends!

    Liked by 1 person

    1. iamthesunking avatar
      iamthesunking

      Thank you! And how amazing that you’ve managed to escape unscathed!

      Liked by 1 person

      1. Herman avatar
        Herman

        Yes, it’s really amazing! Almost every one I know, friends and family, were infected this year… Maybe it’s all about the chocolate and espresso’s… 🙂

        Liked by 2 people

        1. iamthesunking avatar
          iamthesunking

          Maybe I’ll have some of that to top up my vaccinations!

          Liked by 1 person

  4. Kate Crimmins avatar

    Awww, let well soon (like that has any bearing on how long it will last!) Louis is trying to be empathetic. This is what it looks like on a demon cat! 🙂

    Liked by 1 person

    1. iamthesunking avatar
      iamthesunking

      Merci! be honest, we see this face a lot whether sneezing or not.

      Liked by 2 people

  5. alicephilippa avatar
    alicephilippa

    Get well soon. The relay sneezing will keep him exercised and fit. Even if it is doing nothing for his temper.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. iamthesunking avatar
      iamthesunking

      Merci! 🤣

      Like

  6. Mary McNeil avatar
    Mary McNeil

    Hope you both get better soon.
    Deuces are wild eh ?

    Liked by 1 person

    1. iamthesunking avatar
      iamthesunking

      Wild is about right! And thank you!

      Like

  7. cat9984 avatar

    I hope you feel better soon.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. iamthesunking avatar
      iamthesunking

      Thank you! It’s much harder and more tiring than last time. 😕

      Liked by 1 person

      1. cat9984 avatar

        The little germs must be getting familiar with your system.

        Liked by 1 person

        1. iamthesunking avatar
          iamthesunking

          Gahhhh! 🤢🤢🤢

          Like

  8. Belle avatar
    Belle

    I am sorry that Halloween delivered you a trick…Sa Maj has some nerve to feel so offended, for someone who puts his mouth on unspeakable things 🤢 Sending you healing vibes & love from across the pond 🌻

    Liked by 2 people

    1. iamthesunking avatar
      iamthesunking

      Merci! It’s ironic that he’s the sickliest of the lot of us, so he does have some nerve for being offended at a mere sneeze!

      Like

  9. sevencatsandcounting avatar

    Feel better soon! My own furry medical team seems all right with sneezes, but they strongly dislike coughing.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. iamthesunking avatar
      iamthesunking

      They’re your medical team? Do you trust them? If Catorze were my medic, I’d be dead.

      Liked by 1 person

      1. alicephilippa avatar
        alicephilippa

        He’d have to keep you or CatDaddy alive. Unless he’s miraculously developed opposable thumbs and an independent income.

        Liked by 1 person

        1. iamthesunking avatar
          iamthesunking

          Nah, he’d just move into someone else’s house and forget we ever existed!

          Like

      2. sevencatsandcounting avatar

        The Vibrational Purr Therapy (VPT) from the Cat MDs is just lovely, although I have mixed feelings about the Claw-Based Acupuncture. The Doggoes are wonderful heating pads and the Drippy Nose Licking Procedure (DNLP) is tickly but possibly curative, as they claim.

        Liked by 2 people

        1. iamthesunking avatar
          iamthesunking

          I don’t trust the feline remedies. Are you sure they’re not secretly trying to kill you?

          Like

          1. sevencatsandcounting avatar

            Pretty sure. I am the preferred lap, after all, as I am considerably more cushiony than Human Daddy and tend to sit still for much longer periods.

            Liked by 1 person

  10. Sally Goodman avatar
    Sally Goodman

    Are you feeling better now?
    I sneeze randomly at the best of times, so our lot have mostly got used to it. But Hendrix takes a flying leap off my lap as soon as he hears the inbreath!

    Liked by 1 person

    1. iamthesunking avatar
      iamthesunking

      I am a little better now, thank you, although still not back to normal. It’s been pretty horrid this time around. The coughing and sneezing are lessening, though!

      Liked by 1 person

  11. […] isn’t all some massive coincidence, because he’s done it before. I could have made an absolute fortune had I rented him out when Covid was rife; this kind of skill […]

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