For at least the last 15 years, I have bought canned gooshy food. In that time, I have probably bought every brand there is that comes in a 400g can, even experimenting with the pouches for a little while. But in those 15 or so years, I have learnt the best value for money, what food is likely to be eaten, what food is likely to be 'returned' and what food reacts with the digestive system. Shopping for gooshy food had become automatic. The best brand on balance seemed to be Whiskas (unless Dine was heavily discounted to below the price of Whiskas) and it had to be loaf or pate only. If casserole or mince varieties were selected, the food would be eaten with too much enthusiasm, leading to upchucks or diarrhea.

So like pretty much every week for the last 15 years, yesterday I made my trip down the cat food aisle, picking up a box of kibble and picking out the suitable cans automatically - I know where they are on the shelves and I recognise the colours. Whiskas pate or loaf styles only.

Somebody before me had replaced a Whiskas casserole style can into the 'pate' area, and I picked it up by accident. When I noticed, I went to put it back, and then it dawned on me that I had been buying cat food in my old habitual style and there was no reason - the current owners aren't Shmogg.

*They aren't Shmogg.*

And thus it was that - much to my surprise - I found myself having a small breakdown in the cat food aisle.

After gathering my composure, I put the loaf and pate styles back and bought all the Whiskas cans that had gravy, realising that it felt like I was going into entirely new and unfamiliar territory. Turns out that Suki & Pickle don't seem to have a problem with it like Shmogg did.

This 'Part 2' of my life with cats will have to say 'Now with Gravy', LOL.

Copyright © Vicky Chapman
January 20, 2008