I don‘t know why, but John has allowed another cat to stay with us. This is "Lady" (a most inappropriate name, if you ask me!) from next door, who came here some weeks ago for some (to me) unknown reason, and has made a right pig of herself ever since. What a glutton!

John puts down two bowls of food, but I am as you know a dainty eater, and prefer to take small amounts at various times during the day. Lady ends up scoffing what‘s left of mine as well as her own, though John does try to put down something just for me as soon as Lady goes outside, which is thoughtful of him I suppose.

Anyway, Lady has put on a lot of weight since coming to live with us, and it shows, though at least the situation isn‘t getting any worse now: John‘s techniques seem to be having an effect.

We have had a couple of unwanted "gifts" from Lady right by the front door. I think these were caused by her inability (stupidity?) to operate the cat flap, and her reluctance to go out when needed, in spite of John‘s invitations to do so while holding open the front door.

Oh, I got into hot water recently. when I went back to one of my old ways and started clawing the furniture. I managed to tear the fabric of one of the chairs, and a little of its stuffing now shows. John was not at all happy about this, though he was remarkably restrained for some reason I haven‘t been able to fathom. I know he is very fond of me, even though I take some liberties; but I am better behaved overall than most of the other cats who have come to stay here.

A final thought: I hope I don‘t have to share future "Scratchings" columns with Lady. I don‘t fancy that idea one bit.

More "mews" from me next time.