How often do you say “no” to things that would interfere with your goals?

My only goal in life is to sleep, and anyone who struggles to sleep will understand this. A good night’s sleep doesn’t simply make me feel better; it makes LIFE feel better. On those precious, rare days when I’ve slept well, I bounce through the day with the vitality of, erm, a small black cat on steroids. And, when I haven’t, I often wonder whether it’s even safe for me to be around people.

I have done everything in the Sleep Text Book to make it work: an enormous bed, eucalyptus silk bedding, a soft colour scheme and a gentle alarm which wakes me to the sound of birdsong rather than a tinny, synth version of Eine Kleine Nachtmusik or some such thing. I’ve even booted Cat Daddy out because of his snoring, and he is now banished to the attic bedroom.

So why, then, after all these efforts, do I allow Louis Catorze into the bedroom at night?

You’d think there would be plenty of room on a super-king-sized bed for me and a 3kg cat. Well, yes. But also: no.

The little sod is the most disagreeable bedfellow imaginable. More often than not he comes in soaking wet and screaming. And, after a few rounds of nocturnal parkour on the bed, instead of cuddling quietly beside me, his favourite thing is to sleep on top of me, either on my chest in Loaf Pose, or across my stomach like a furry, living belt.

(He does the same to chat-sitteurs when they stay here. They tell me that they find it cute, which it probably is if you’re just visiting. Living with it is distinctly less cute.)

Oh, and there are also incidents such as this one. And this one.

Catorze is the one thing that interferes with my one goal. So why don’t I say no to him? Why do I persist in letting him into the bedroom?

This isn’t rhetorical; I would genuinely like to know the answer.

You make yourself comfortable, little sod.
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27 responses to “Dis juste non”

  1. M - avatar

    I cannot sleep unless Ramses is in bed with me. Seriously.

    Liked by 2 people

    1. iamthesunking avatar
      iamthesunking

      Same, if Catorze is quiet! I like to know where he is (mainly so I know that I won’t get a neighbour knocking at 3am begging me to keep him contained).

      Liked by 1 person

  2. alicephilippa avatar
    alicephilippa

    I ought to keep mine out of the bedroom too. However, if I try they just dig the carpet up.

    I suspect that le roi would try to tunnel through the door and probably succeed.

    Liked by 2 people

    1. iamthesunking avatar
      iamthesunking

      Oh yes. He would be screaming and scratching outside the door like a poltergeist.

      Like

  3. Kate Crimmins avatar

    Cats don’t like closed doors. There is no way you would be allowed to close the door. He’s make your life hell.

    Liked by 2 people

    1. iamthesunking avatar
      iamthesunking

      Oh no, he would deffo not allow that!

      Liked by 1 person

  4. mmechapeau avatar
    mmechapeau

    Timon, our current cat, hardly ever pays us a visit into our bedroom and when it happens, he chooses to sleep on top of my husband’s belly.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. iamthesunking avatar
      iamthesunking

      I bet your husband is delighted at that!

      Like

    2. mmechapeau avatar
      mmechapeau

      I’m not sure my husband is aware of it.

      Liked by 2 people

      1. iamthesunking avatar
        iamthesunking

        Timon must be feather-light! Even 3kg Catorze is noticeable when on one’s body at night.

        Like

      2. mmechapeau avatar
        mmechapeau

        You are right, but if Timon is truly heavier than Louis, my husband is definitively odder than any average citizen.

        Liked by 1 person

  5. mcmcneil1 avatar
    mcmcneil1

    There seems no particular rhyme or reason as to who sleeps with me when….although the colder the weather…or the proximity of the fan during a heat wave…has the most to do with it.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. iamthesunking avatar
      iamthesunking

      Remind me how many are in your gang?

      Like

      1. mcmcneil1 avatar
        mcmcneil1

        five…

        Liked by 1 person

        1. iamthesunking avatar
          iamthesunking

          Oh good grief. How do you do it?

          Like

          1. mcmcneil1 avatar
            mcmcneil1

            Well, they aren’t Louis…

            Liked by 2 people

            1. iamthesunking avatar
              iamthesunking

              True!

              Like

  6. Charles Huss avatar

    We shut the door and keep the cats out at night because Chris is as annoying as three Louis Catorzes. If you don’t believe it, check out this post. A Night With Chris – Caught On Video | Bad Cat Chris

    Liked by 2 people

    1. iamthesunking avatar
      iamthesunking

      I believed you without the video, but good grief!

      Liked by 1 person

      1. Charles Huss avatar

        You would think he would calm down after a while but that went on all night.

        Liked by 2 people

        1. iamthesunking avatar
          iamthesunking

          I believe that too!

          Liked by 1 person

    2. Sally Goodman avatar
      Sally Goodman

      Aw, he loves his dad!!!

      I usually have three or four on the bed and am lucky as after the initial activity they settle down (leaving not that much room for me!) but in the morning Snoodle gets a bit like Chris, pawing and licking my face and walking all over me so I often end up hiding under the covers!

      Liked by 1 person

      1. iamthesunking avatar
        iamthesunking

        Three or four on the bed! 🤣🤣🤣

        Like

  7. cat9984 avatar

    Louis would not approve of a closed door. I’m sure he would take it as a personal affront and either try to scratch/push it down or cry so loudly he would wake Cat Daddy in the attic.

    Liked by 2 people

    1. iamthesunking avatar
      iamthesunking

      He would do exactly that!

      Liked by 1 person

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