The Wild Ewt of the Plains of Canada

Do you know if she'll get on ok with other cats?

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I don't know; she hasn't really lived with other cats before. That's another reason why I'm not taking her, because I don't really want to move her here and then have her not get along with Bijou (housemate's cat) and have to find somewhere else.

She mostly goes and hides for a while and then eventually comes out to play with bits of string, but that is interaction with people not with cats.

shevek's mum is quite keen for me to take Misty (the cat) and I feel badly for refusing but it is a potential nightmare; the plan was sortof that when

shevek moves to London after his thesis that he could take her, but what if I need to be in halls before then, or he can't easily find a place to live that will let him have a cat?

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If you're planning to move about you can't take her, really. It's not fair to either of you.

I think I could take her - I'd have to talk it over with Sean first, though. But it would depend on whether she could get used to living with my two fat lumps. It's not usually *that* hard to get cats to tolerate each other, and I've done it in the past. The Bear, in particular, would be unimpressed, but she can live with that - she'll have to deal with it sooner or later, anyway. Having other kitties to play with might make her less timid, too.

Where is she right now?

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It's entirely possible that she will get on with other cats, it might do her a lot of good.

Right now she's in Lancashire.

shevek's mother would drive her down (with remaining litter and cat fud) next time she visits; I think she was planning to go this coming weekend but I'm not entirely certain.

I should also note that Misty doesn't like wet food, only dry; she doesn't seem to like eating chicken, tuna, ham, and so on either which is a bit unusual. Also I believe she has been spayed, so if she does get out and run off she won't be having little kittens.

Do let me know - my new housemate has also said he will ask around his friends and see if anyone will take her, but I'd get to visit more if she went to you. If you're going to have her then it would probably be best for you and

shevek's mother to speak directly either in person or on the phone, she knows a lot more about this cat than I do.

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I'll talk to the sheep and see what he thinks. All odd-cat-eating-habits can be catered to - ours get dry food as it is. Shall let you know if he reckons we can take her later.

I forsee a long conversation. 'Lets get a cat!' 'No' 'Yes' 'No'....

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Have you got further kittenish details? I am in the process of talking the sheep-nose around.

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I am told that Misty is a full pedigree British Blue, mostly grey with some ginger (I honestly do not remember any ginger bits!), and two different coloured eyes (I think one green one blue but I am not sure, might be one yellow one blue).

At some point I need to go visit Lancashire to visit granddad anyway, and

shevek's mother doesn't want to drive on her own (although I can't drive so I'm not much use, I think she just wants the company and so on), so it would be sometime in the next month or two. She said 'maybe at half-term' but I do not even know when that is and it is different for all of my students as they all go to different schools. It will get sorted.

Many thanks and stuff and things.

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Blue cats look different in different lights - it's an odd colouring. Mind, I don't care *what* clour a cat is - all cats are the Best Cat Evah!

Let me know when you're going to get her, and I will have the spare room sorted out as a new cat haven for her, so she can settle in a bit before seeing the rest of the house and meeting the other two. It should be easy enough to introduce her to my two lumps - I've done it before.

Yay! New Cat! I am a giddy and excited cat. I had been thinking about getting another kittie anyway, so this is *perfect*!

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Stop tormenting me! Of course I want one. I can't have one. Although I suppose an indoor cat I might be able to have when I move, if I move. Ho hum.

Marna - most cats will get on with most other cats, given time to get used to each other. My father had to put the new feral cat in a cage in the same room as the others for two nights, but now they sleep on top of each other.

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I know most cats can be made to at least tolerate each other's presence, but there have been a few that I've known who just would not live with other kitties at all.

Sheep, he say 'YES' to cat! Will you come and visit me more if Misty-cat comes to live with me?

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Yes. Get Three More Cats and I'll consider moving to Bermondsey.

I need to decide if I'm coming to Stay Beautiful actually, and where I'm staying if I do, and Juliet's away, and *makes big eyes*.

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Part of the deal was that I wouldn't demand any more cats for two years. Except in special circumstances. Find me special circumstances with three kittens!

Of course you can stay! Stupid lump.

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I suppose if my father suddenly developed an allergy... Two years is about right, I might be interested in two years.

Thank'oo, anyone else coming or do I get the actual spare room for the first time ever? Can I persuade you to club, or will you just be doing breakfast? See there is no B-Movie this month so really people should SB instead.

All depending on me not being movy-house or in a paperwork stress relating to movy-house. Doesn't look likely does it, and I have a meeting that morning anyway so.

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Right! Plan! How do we have your father develop an allergy, then?

I have no idea what's happening this weekend. Sheep-nose is away oop Norf for his Grandpa's funeral. Toby has a birthday party. I may well club for a bit, but I am still all unsure about what to do.

And you have the spare room! Unless there is someone more deserving of it than you, in which case you don't.

Are you buying house to movie-to? That is stressful....

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How do we have your father develop an allergy, then?

God knows. The man has an iron gut. Dislikes include ice cream and dark chocolate, but they don't appear to make him ill.

I have no idea what's happening this weekend.

It's the 17th. Frankly I have no idea what's happening this weekend.

And you have the spare room! Unless there is someone more deserving of it than you, in which case you don't.

Well, I'll try to bring a guest, and be collectively more deserving of it. Disclaimer: Probably actually won't.

Are you buying house to movie-to? That is stressful....

Well, a flat. Given however that I agreed the price in OCTOBER and they have not as yet SORTED IT OUT, I have told them to get me a move date which is before the end of January or SOD OFF AND FORGET ABOUT THE WHOLE THING. We'll see which of these actually occurs. Survey and mortgage and solicitors are all sorted, so it's not ME holding THEM up.

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Yeah but no but right 'cos I can't like because what happened was if I'm coming to London for SB and again for the 24th I think three weekends a month is just SILLY. Especially not for long enough for it to count as a weekend away because of my plague of Saturday morning meetings. Suggestions for what to do with the week's holiday I have to take by March are welcome, given that I have no money. Oh, I know, move house.

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Eep! Half finished comments escaping without my consent. I blame Robot.

Three weekends in a month is *not* silly. Unless it costs silly amounts. But if I get a *cat* next weekend! You could come to welcome her! Actually, if I have NewCat then there are going to be limits on who can stay over for a bit. But you can because cats like you.

Do you want moving house help? We could posse-up and come and help you move.

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Umm, not really. It costs about fifteen quid to drive down and back (petrol only) and twenty-five to come on the train, but all the same y'know. I think I'll manage without moving house help - I don't have that much stuff and I've got the car and all. More people would just mean less space for STUFF.

Am I going to have to be doing a poll on who might come to Stay Beautiful so as to make my mind up, I imagine I am. I think it looks likely though, especially as I might be completely broke in February.

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If you don't need help then you *need more books*!

I'm sure a SB posse can be formed. Want me to hang outside local schools recruiting seventeen year olds for you? *meow* I shall prolly come, at least. Although it depends on CATS!

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We need to distill the thing that is cat-lergic-tastic and feed it to him. Or persuade him he doesn't like cats.

It's the 17th.

Ah. Still no idea what's happening, though.... Hey - come to London this weekend! We can play trivial pursuit and go to the pub.

If you bring a guest I shall tease you. But you will surely get the spare room. It's reserved for you, at any rate.

Tell your solicitor to bite the bad holding-it-up-people. That's why you *have* solicitors. Demand to know why it's taking so long, and ask for a solid date.

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Well, originally it was because of THE CHAIN. Now I think it's to do with the people I'm buying from's NEW MORTGAGE. Honestly, I don't know if I care that much. Would be nice to move, but I think 'sort it out or I walk away' is actually more likely to work than asking them why it hasn't been. Might need to speak to them again so they know I still mean it though.

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Bah meow! Get your solicitor to demand answers from them. That's what they're for! Also, you presumably have spent time and effort and money getting things this far, and you don't want that wasted, do you?

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I've only paid for the survey... the rest is cash on delivery. No flat, no money. Honestly, if it drags any longer I start to think, well, I don't have a guaranteed job after May 2005, how long will it take me for the savings to outweigh the transaction costs. At least a year.

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And the solicitor, don't forget. They'll surely need paying....

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Yes but only search fees - 'If you decide to withdraw from a sale or purchase for any reason or at any time prior to exchange of contracts you will not pay any legal fees. We will also return to you any part of your up-front payment not used for your search fees.

I'll hold them to that, if it comes to it.

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