Drama on the drive

You might remember that our son is very fond of a cat that lives near our house. This fine animal is known to us as Sheepcat, because of the largeness and woolliness of his person. Indeed, if there were ever a competition for Scotland's biggest cat, he'd have an excellent chance of carrying off the trophy. This is a photo from last summer, pre-catlets.

Sheepcat spends a lot of his time sitting on his garden wall, like a king on his throne, surveying his domain. Occasionally, however, he takes a stroll round the neighbouring gardens on a sort of royal procession.

Last week, he chose our garden. That, therefore, was the day that…

(DRUM ROLL)

… the catlets met Sheepcat.

Excuse the rubbish photos - my hand was trembling with fear in case Sheepcat was about to eat our babies. Luckily, the catlets had put on their devil-eyes that day. This gave them confidence - or at least, this gave Sirius the insane idea that he could face up to The Incredible Fluff.

(You notice that Cassie then wisely vanished.)

Sirius approached. Sheepcat glared.

Sirius came boldly on. Sheepcat sat down and waited, tapping one enormous fluffy paw.

At this point, Cassie took advantage of the situation to approach from the left while Sheepcat was focusing on Sirius. Sheepcat suddenly noticed Cassie. You could hear him think, "Not another one!"

His head swivelled to and fro like a nodding dog at the back of a car. You could hear him think, "Whose head will I bite off first?"

Cassie seized the opportunity to retreat. Have you ever seen a kitten prowl backwards while facing forwards? Sirius tiptoed on to his doom.

Sheepcat rose slightly, narrowed his eyes at this upstart - this mad little mouse person - and dared him to come any closer.

Sirius came closer.

Then, amazingly, Sheep gave up. Routed!

He pretended to be simply bored, of course. He shrugged his shoulders, got to his feet and wandered off with as much dignity as could be expected of a giant cat who's just been stared down by a someone the size of one of his legs. And Sirius, who hadn't learnt to quit while he was ahead, followed him to make sure he went right away.

Which he did.

Later, I said to my son, "You still like Sheepcat, though?"

"Sheep who?" he said.