I am rather distressed.

Monty cat is beating me on the race to sleep on a human bed, which keen readers might remember was my new year’s resolution! So far I have managed to get on a bed several times, but usually get hauled off rather unceremoniously after a short time. Mind you, Hilary is always noting my hairs and dirt get all over their bed, so I do leave my mark!!

But Monty- he is cracking it! That little cat has already persuaded Hilary it is much more fun with him on the bed (not that she needed much persuading) and he does this cute thing of playing at catching her feet, hands etc under the duvet, pouncing at them as if they were mice or something! Then, before it gets too annoying he snuggles down beside her purring!! She adores it!!!

Tim, my sensible male human, has other ideas. Pets are not allowed in the bedroom in the commandments according to Tim!! However, when Hilary threatend to sleep in another room to have some quality bonding time with Monty he relented- slightly. Monty is now allowed to be in the bedroom with her when she goes to bed, but MUST leave before Tim comes to bed! And this is only an occasional treat, not a daily occurance, however hard Hilary might try.

Tim has it all worked out and impressive too. Firstly he has started going to bed earlier himself! (and getting up earlier too to walk me!! That shows who is boss here!) So often it isn’t worth Monty sneaking in as he will get kicked out again in five minutes! Then Tim’s next stategy is to encourage Monty to leave the house and go outside a bit before Hilary’s bedtime! Clever eh- if he isn’t actually inside then he can’t be tempted to the bedroom!

Finally he asked me to help by patrolling the corridors especially at bedtime, thereby scaring Monty in to staying in his room, (or whereever he is) rather than venturing towards Hilary! That works well as Hilary has promised not to actually pick Monty up and take him into the bedroom, but just, well, to be welcoming should he appear! It also means Hilary has to shut the door to prevent me joining her instead!!!

Still sometimes Tim and me are not clever enough and Monty is able to catch the mice in Hilary’s bed!