I went down the garden at 6am (couldn’t sleep) to collect something I left in a shed last evening. Coming back to the house, I saw a cat. At first I thought “not that next door creature...” then I realised it was a tabby and wondered how Furball had got out, and then another look at the creature partly hidden in the bushes and I realised it was PussPuss who we haven’t seen since the cold spell.

I didn’t think he looked that well, a bit sort of bloated looking and his left eye looked a little odd but I doubt there would be much I could do to help. At his most trusting, he will stand his ground (with hisses) as I put a dish down but after a long break, it would probably be a while before I can get within a few yards.

Anyway, he took 3 pouches (he’ll stand forward of the dish and make himself visible if he wants another) before wandering off. I’ll have to see if he comes back and wonder how things will work out with Furball as a resident now if he does…

As for Furball. He’ll try it on but he seems to mostly have accepted the idea that he’s kept in for the night. He’s explored every room now and, for the time being, has chosen his chair (although he still spend a lot of time on the floor) and is slowly but surely taking control of the house.

He was a bit put out by my attempts at guitar playing (probably the first time I’d picked up an instrument in the same room as me) last night. He didn’t bother too much while I was stumming a few chords but got quite excited when I picked the melody for Madame Bonaparte. He approached me meowing. It was quite funny really and I’ve noticed similar with other cats and a laser pointer. Furball seemed to know the noises were something to do with me but he couldn’t quite work it out. He had a long look (and sniff) at the guitar as if the instrument was to blame.

As for the seeing him in the kitchen/corridor at night. I’ve changed the program for the corridor light at night (actually when it is dark outside). Instead of switching on/off, it now switches on/dim for this period. Everyone seems happy with this arrangement.