Poor Dougal has had a lousy week!
First, the sparkly things went up all around the sitting room and hall. That always means -
visitors! He spent the whole Saturday before Christmas in a flap, Sunday too, because it just wasn't routine.
Monday 19th - okay, Redhead went to work as normal. Dougal slept all day, as normal.
Tuesday 20th - Redhead stayed at home. Not normal. Busy cooking - on a Tuesday, not normal, definitely strangers coming to invade his peace. At 11.00 am Dougal gets scooped up and
imprisoned in Redhead's bedroom. Yes. IMPRISONED - the indignity of it. The doorhandle was tied to the airing cupboard handle so that he could not force the door open. 11.30
voices - lots of children - aaagh!. Didn't leave until after dark. Very distressing and hid behind bedroom curtains, gazing out at garden and freedom.
Wednesday - Dougal still very stressed. Rotten old Redhead abandoned him to go to work, instead of staying at home and cuddling him. Still very on edge all through Wednesday night.
Thursday - Dougal still stressed but Redhead stayed home. Just in the middle of a cuddle when "thump thump" at the front door - and she lets a man in! Dougal bravely runs past the stranger and out through catflap into safety of hedge. 1 hour later, man departs. Dougal gives it 5 minutes and lets himself back into the warm. Just settling into comfort of radiator hammock when "thump thump" again at door.
Another man! What will the neighbours think?! Man departs 30 minutes later, Dougal reappears in a thorough stew by now. Desperately in need of a cuddle. Just falling into a deep doze when: "knock knock" at door. He's not quick enough this time and Redhead's hairdresser finally gets to meet him (he's been too quick the last 3 years). After 5 minutes of cringeing and trembling, Dougal makes it to catflap and out.
Friday - Redhead goes to work as normal. Back at 2.00pm with Grandma - not normal. Lots of shopping also not normal.
Saturday - Grandma has stayed the night - not normal but very enjoyable as a choice of two laps to sit on, although a bit tiring as he has to spread his favours in case they get jealous.
Sunday - very worrying. Grandma still here - not normal. Lots of cooking - not more ruddy visitors! Very interesting though, Grandma has caught the
biggest sparrow he's ever seen. Dougal very stressed and spends most of day in garden because of the unaccustomed activity which he associates with lots of strangers invading his home.
Monday - that's better. Grandma went home, but not before giving Dougal and Tilly big pieces of turkey (which Dougal begged off her lunch plate). Redhead and Dougal sit quietly (sort of) watching the racing.
Tuesday - everything back to normal, just Redhead, Tilly and Dougal. Lots of cuddles if wanted but too cold as lost all fur due to stress, so he spent all day huddled under a blanket in his radiator hammock.
I have just made a lovely cup of tea, which I have had to throw away. Dougal jumped onto the table to investigate plate and cup to see if there was anything he liked. Stuck his head into my cup and ... sneezed. Then sneezed again all over my mince pies.
Revenge is sweetest when served cold.