Violetta is a tiny tuxedo cat with exquisite white paws and whiskers. Last night I caught her on top of one of the curtain pelmets, about 9 feet up off the floor. She knows very well she isn't supposed to be there but can't resist showing off to the other cats, none of whom has as yet been able to haul themselves up on to such a high narrow ledge.

"GET DOWN YOU LITTLE B****R!" I yell. Then I notice my pretty girl has sprouted a HUGE THICK set of thick black whiskers. Curious, I go on "What have you got on your face?". Then "OH MY GOD, you've got a bl***y huge SPIDER in your mouth. That thing must be 6" across! And those legs are STILL MOVING! OK, OK, you can stay up there this time".

Violetta clearly thinks I'm not properly impressed by what she's caught and jumps down to give me a closer look, dropping her catch far too close to my feet. It scuttles off in my direction. Aargghh! I back off, falling over Katie who's trotted in to see what all the noise is about. Violetta picks up the monster spider in her mouth again and is heading my way with it... I make an undignified retreat.

Yes, she did eventually eat the spider...

Copyright © Helen Wheels
November 20, 2001