As long as I am reporting on animals I might as well give you a cat update.

Mama Kitty and Neko are having problems with Mika. When Mika gets fired up he races around the house and attacks them. This causes no end of noise and squabbles. On Saturday we went to see the vet and ask for advice. She gave us some topical Valium for Mika. It's in a syringe with no needle. We squeeze out some and rub it into the thin patch of hair in front of his ears. It seems to work pretty well.

We also stepped into their pet shop to get some cat food. There we talked with the Australian with the most amazing name. Brett is a professional animal trainer. He told us to get a short length of chain and throw it down on the ground near the cats when they start to get into it. He says it is the equivalent of saying, in cattish, that you are the dominant animal in the room and they WILL listen to you!

We have, of course, blamed it all on Mika. Then today, while lying down reading Potiki Mika climbed on to the bed and lay down to sleep alongside. After about half an hour Mama Kitty climbed up on to the bed and stood looking at Mika. Then she attacked him!

Poor Mika. He isn't innocent but then he doesn't bear the full weight of guilt either.