Poor Otis has really packed on the pounds since he's not been allowed out of the yard. Two to be exact. Up from his sleek and awesome fighting weight of 12.2 to his winter fat cat 14.2 in just two months. The problem is that it doesn't suit him. His Siamese head looks unnaturally small atop his big barrel of a body.

Tonight, we were out frolicking in the dusk playing with the toy mouse and playing tag around the yard. He used to jump so high that it was breathtaking. These were his first jumps in a couple of months. It was like seeing the Goodyear blimp trying to turn in mid air. He couldn't get very high and his twists were non-existent. He was embarrassed and did a lot of frantic leg grooming after each attempt.

I guess I need to help him get exercise. More goofy neighbour stunts as I race around the front and back yards with Otis in hot pursuit - at 5:00 AM when he's prowly. I have to be there so he gets used to not trying to test the invisible fence when prowly.

What a good slave am I.

Copyright © Susan Mawdsley
August 21, 2001