It’s 2024. And, if you’re a believer in starting the New Year in the way in which you intend to go on, I’m not sure what you will make of the fact that my first task of the year was cleaning up three* piles of cat puke. Because one of them was the same colour as the floorboards, and because I was wearing thick socks, I didn’t notice it until I had dragged it across the hallway and back again.

*If you’re one of the friends to whom I reported TWO piles of puke, that’s because the third was in a different location, waiting to be discovered like a newborn volcanic island (and about the size of one, too). And, naturellement, I found it right after I’d put away the cleaning products and washed my hands from the first two piles.

Cat Daddy thinks it’s the beginning of the end for Catorze, although he’s been saying this for the last three years. It’s true that, sometimes, he looks thin, scruffy and old (Catorze, I mean, not Cat Daddy); when he lifts his head after a long sleep and his fur is all splayed and haphazard, he could be a feline version of Father Jack from Father Ted (younger followers: ask your parents). Yet he’s otherwise wide-eyed and plushy-furred, and he still has the energy and the inclination to do this (whatever this might be – we still don’t know):

The invisible impinger MUST DIE.

So, whilst I’ll mention the puking to the vet when we next go in, I’m in no hurry to rush him in right now.

In four months’ time, the little sod will be fourteen, and there is something wonderfully magical about Catorze turning quatorze. We can’t wait to see what this year will bring him.

Happy New Year to you all, and thank you for supporting Catorze and us.

Bonne Année à tous.
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43 responses to “Nager dans l’inconnu”

  1. mcmcneil1 avatar
    mcmcneil1

    Probably His Majesty’s way of letting you know it is time for a new expensive food.

    Liked by 2 people

    1. iamthesunking avatar
      iamthesunking

      Noooo! I’m not going through that again!

      Like

  2. M - avatar

    As we cat owners know, cats puke. That’s a fact of life. Ramses hurled the other morning and I found the culprit: a half-eaten cashew I’d (apparently) not seen him take from the bowl. When exactly is Louis’ birthday?

    Liked by 1 person

    1. iamthesunking avatar
      iamthesunking

      A cashew! Naughty boy! We don’t know his birthday because he was found as a stray, but the rescue listed it on his paperwork as, erm, Beltane Eve, 30th April! The second creepiest day after Samhain!

      Liked by 2 people

      1. M - avatar

        So he would be a Taurus. So is Brandon.
        I have to ask: Why do you consider Beltane creepy?

        Liked by 1 person

        1. iamthesunking avatar
          iamthesunking

          I don’t really! I just find it hilarious that his birthday is a witchy day! Spirits and spooks playing tricks on us.

          Liked by 2 people

          1. M - avatar
  3. cat9984 avatar

    Sounds like he ate something that disagreed with him. (a fair amount of it). It’s always lovely to find first thing in the morning

    Liked by 1 person

    1. iamthesunking avatar
      iamthesunking

      Cat Daddy is quite concerned, but cats do this all the time. I’ve seen the little sod outside chewing grass, and he once puked up a whole sprig of mint, complete with flower buds. 🤣🤣🤣

      Liked by 2 people

  4. Penny Cooper avatar
    Penny Cooper

    He’s soooo funny,! Bless, its awful when you realise you’ve caused yourself more work by treading in the sick isn’t it? Alice’s Theo is a big boy, you’ve seen pictures of him, but suddenly last week he’s gone all boney when you feel through the fur, he’s gone from 5kg to 3kg and stopped eating. but the vet says he’s not showing any signs of being ill so Alice is trying to fatten him up by feeding him different food that he can’t resist. It’s him for his vaccination soon so if he’s not improved by then Alice will get his bloods checked. Meanwhile he’s full of his part Maine Coon passions, drooling all over me whilst giving big cuddles but a new thing is he’s sinking his teeth into me when he’s overwhelmed himself, he’s never done that to me before! Cheeky is the one who gets over stimulated and bites me, thank goodness Theo doesn’t bite hard like Cheeky does because his mouth and teeth are so much bigger!

    Liked by 1 person

    1. iamthesunking avatar
      iamthesunking

      I can’t read Cheeky’s name without thinking of THAT story. You know the one I mean.

      Like

      1. Penny Cooper avatar
        Penny Cooper

        Laughing out very loud 🔊 hahaha! Alice goes green when I mention it and asks if I really needed to share the story which just makes me laugh all the more!

        Liked by 1 person

        1. iamthesunking avatar
          iamthesunking

          Of course you didn’t NEED to. But you wanted to. And the world is both glad and disgusted that you did.

          Like

          1. Penny Cooper avatar
            Penny Cooper

            I shall tell her that!! If I remember correctly I was trying to explain that cat bum on its own isn’t the most disgusting thing 😂😂😂

            Liked by 1 person

            1. iamthesunking avatar
              iamthesunking

              And you succeeded in your explanation! Well done!

              Like

            2. Penny Cooper avatar
              Penny Cooper

              Lol you are such fun distraction from the rubbish of the day!

              Liked by 1 person

  5. Audrey Driscoll avatar

    Just discovered your blog. Wishing you and Catorze a great year.

    Liked by 2 people

    1. iamthesunking avatar
      iamthesunking

      Thank you! Hope you have a brilliant year, too!

      Like

  6. mmechapeau avatar
    mmechapeau

    ♦ Poor you, walking in cat puke without being aware of it isn’t the best way of starting a year.
    ♦ The video is fantastic. Thank you for sharing it with us.
    ♦ Indeed, turning 14 when you are named Catorze looks fabulous. Do you intend to organise a party to celebrate it?
    ♦ Bonne année à vous aussi.

    Liked by 2 people

    1. iamthesunking avatar
      iamthesunking

      Bonne Année! And, yes, there absolutely will be a party. Most likely it will just involve us, but there will be a celebration.

      Liked by 1 person

  7. Herman avatar
    Herman

    Bonne Année à tous! I’m wishing Louis a good health and all the best for 2024. Seeing him having fun in the video convinced me that he’s ok.
    Unfortunately, I have a pinched nerve in my back so I wasn’t dancing in the street at New Years Eve… Jimi doesn’t understand why I can’t play with him… Thank goodness one of my friends is a physiotherapist and she could add me in her schedule for a first session.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. iamthesunking avatar
      iamthesunking

      NOOOO! I know all about pinched nerves so I quite literally feel your pain. Did you do anything to it, or did it just appear on its own? How awful for you. Wishing you well!

      Liked by 1 person

      1. Herman avatar
        Herman

        Thanks! It appeared slowly about a month ago, during the time I switched to my new custom made shoes and soles. But the MD and physiotherapist both think it’s coincidence… I’m on heavy pain killers right now, and I don’t like that… ;-(

        Liked by 1 person

        1. iamthesunking avatar
          iamthesunking

          Ugh. That’s horrible! I’m so sorry for you.

          Liked by 1 person

  8. Kate Crimmins avatar

    That sounds like every day here. This morning there were 4 piles (at different locations in order to snag an unsuspecting shoe!). Louis has a few good years left. Most of my cats lived to the 16 to 18 year range.

    Liked by 2 people

    1. iamthesunking avatar
      iamthesunking

      4 piles in different places is just mean! Little sods! But I guess that’s part of the joy of having so many of them. I can barely cope with one!

      Liked by 1 person

  9. Dr. CaSo avatar

    Happy New Year to the three of you 🙂 Louis looks amazing and in great shape, trust me, I had a 19yo kitty and SHE was old and scruffy and thin (https://cestpasmoijeljure.com/2022/04/20/dans-le-ventre-du-crocodile/) 🙂 Gros câlins à Louis, kitties are so precious!!!

    Liked by 3 people

    1. iamthesunking avatar
      iamthesunking

      Aww, Miss Penny! 🖤🖤🖤 Happy New Year to you and Rosie.

      Like

    2. M - avatar

      What a cutie.

      Liked by 1 person

      1. iamthesunking avatar
        iamthesunking

        He’s not. He’s lying.

        Like

  10. sevencatsandcounting avatar

    Bonne année! Phelps left me a thoughtful gift of new year’s throw-up to discover this morning. Darth and Luna took a look at the video and confirm that this is an example of pivoting pounce training, essential preparation, they say, for springtime rodent duty.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. iamthesunking avatar
      iamthesunking

      Noooo to both of the above! We don’t want New Year puke. Nor do we want pounce training!

      Liked by 1 person

      1. sevencatsandcounting avatar

        Would you prefer the equally thoughtful gift of a nearly dead rodent? Luna and Darth agree that le roi would be able to provide that token of his affection, given his excellent pouncing speed and form.

        Liked by 2 people

        1. iamthesunking avatar
          iamthesunking

          I’ve had nearly-dead and not-remotely-dead ones, and it’s true, they’re worse, but I would prefer no rodents, merci s’il vous plaît.

          Liked by 1 person

          1. sevencatsandcounting avatar

            Darth, Luna, and quite possibly le roi himself are confused, as nothing says “bonne année, maman” quite like the traditional gifts of upchuck and rodents. Did you have your heart set on a bird?

            Liked by 1 person

            1. iamthesunking avatar
              iamthesunking

              We had a mouse on the 27th! 😫😫😫

              Liked by 1 person

  11. Sally Goodman avatar
    Sally Goodman

    Bonne Annee to you all. My two 15 year old girls haven’t slowed noticeably, so let’s hope Louis has a good few years left in him xxxxx

    Liked by 1 person

    1. iamthesunking avatar
      iamthesunking

      Bonne Année! I didn’t realise Treacle and Maz were 15!

      Liked by 1 person

      1. Sally Goodman avatar
        Sally Goodman

        Yes and I’ve just worked out I think Harley is a similar age! Snoodle is the youngest and she’s 4 now!

        Liked by 1 person

  12. Belle avatar
    Belle

    Bonne Année! Your petit monstre appears to be in high spirits. Since he’s recently taken a liking to human food, I think Louis may have sampled remains of holiday fare from neighbors’ rubbish bins. Too rich for feline tummies 😾

    Liked by 1 person

    1. iamthesunking avatar
      iamthesunking

      Eurgh, I really hope not! I’d actually rather he guzzled mice and rats!

      Like

  13. Marie-Luce, miaougraphe avatar

    The blanket game ! Some cats really go for that sort of thing. Happy New Year to you all !

    Liked by 1 person

    1. iamthesunking avatar
      iamthesunking

      Bonne Année!

      Liked by 1 person

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