Seeking the limelight?

 

Seeking the limelight?

Herschel is an undemanding cat, most of the time. He responds to the Alexa alarm for food four times a day, but he’s not a greedy cat and it wouldn’t bother him to miss a meal or two, unlike his gluttonous brother. Occasionally, he seems hungrier than usual and creates a cacophony and then he has extra rations. He will always appear if cheese is in the offing, but generally he doesn’t attempt to steal from our plates or hands – he’s much too polite.

We have two butter dishes – one made of china with an illustration of a friendly, gentle black and white cow, a Friesian perhaps, and the other a stainless steel affair, a no-nonsense kind of dish. The one in current use is the metal dish. At present, we have no need to keep the butter in the fridge – it’s quite cold enough in the kitchen for it to remain so hard that it’s impossible to spread.

As we sat watching ‘Vera’ last evening, I heard the unmistakeable sound of the butter dish being moved, but didn’t think much of it. Gilbert and Roxy were in the sitting room with us, and anyway the dish is too far back on the worktop for them to reach, so I wasn’t unduly concerned. Often, Jellicoe will sniff around the outside of the lid, but he can’t move it, so the butter is safe. The clinking went on sporadically and I should have gone into the kitchen to investigate, but didn’t.

The seven o’clock alarm sounded, and the cats raced into the kitchen, expectantly, Herschel bringing up the rear, as usual. Jellicoe tore into his food, but Herschel didn’t finish his, which is unusual, and the leavings provided an unexpected little treat for the dogs.

We resumed our evening, accompanied by occasional metallic notes. Later, I noticed that dish lid and base had parted company, and Jellicoe was having a wonderful time licking what was left of the butter. I scolded him, which is about as effective as reprimanding spiders for having the effrontery to invade the house, and gave the remaining small amount of butter to a surprised but grateful Roxy, watched by a disappointed Gilbert, who arrived too late to share the spoils.

Suddenly, I remembered Herschel leaving his supper and realised he was the culprit. He had never removed the dish lid before, but is capable of doing so. He is always fed in the conservatory and opens the sliding door to the kitchen when he has finished. It’s a heavy door but he works away at it until it glides open enough to allow him through, unless I have locked it.

I apologised to Jellicoe, who accepted my contrition with good grace, and then I spent a few minutes online checking on cats and butter and the consumption thereof. It’s fine as an occasional treat for cats, but can upset their digestion.

Today, Herschel has responded to the meal alarms, but turned up his nose at breakfast and elevenses. I don’t know whether he’s so full of butter that he has no appetite for anything else or if something is amiss. We shall keep an eye on him. He’s still keeping company with us and hasn’t gone into hiding, so hopefully all will be well.

Threeses, the three o'clock meal, occurred and Herschel decided to eat. He didn't finish his meal, which made a welcome little snack for Gilbert, but I'm thankful that he has eaten something.