The kittens thought the world existed just for them but yesterday's fight with Deo gave them a nasty shock. This morning Deo was on the prowl and appeared at the lounge windows. Bonnie was watching the world go by at the window.

When Deo's snarling face appeared in front of her she got such a fright she fell off the window ledge. She jumped back up and did a lot of posturing but it's easy to be brave when the window is between you and the enemy! Lois had called in with a lovely gift of fish for the kitties and had a look for puncture holes on Clyde. It is always a worry when cats fight, that infection sets in.

According to Deo's slave, Mandy, he has been terrorizing the kitten over the road! The poor man had to give his kitten away to a friend. We were are both surprised at Deo's behaviour because he is really quite a teddy bear. We decided that it was all to do with being beaten up as a kitten by Ollie and also subsequent terrorising by Ollie in later life. Kittenhood abuse! I told her that Deo would be coming home wet as I intended to leave the hose running when the kittens were out. A wet stream directed at Deo should deter him while not hurting him!

This morning, after ascertaining that Deo was safely inside the house next door I let out the kittens. You should have seen them. No racing away down the path, no chasing butterflies and leaves; no joy of exploration - they just crept around trembling, with tums close to the ground. There was a noise from behind the fence and the kitties were away, racing to the back door and both tore right up to the top of the fly screen and hung there. It's a sad thing when paradise is lost, even for kitties - the human equivalent is finding out that your father is Santa Claus!

Copyright © Beverley Dunlop
March 6, 2003