ADVENTURING WITH CATS

When we got Beanie, we realised she wasn't quite like other cats. Sphynxes are known to act a bit like dogs (they are known as puppy cats!) which means that they like to follow you around, they are total sooks for physical affection and want to be on or near you at all times, they are friendly to other animals, they are happy with baths, and they don't have any hesitation about walking with a collar and lead.

As Beanie's so relaxed about everything and we live in a little flat without a garden, we thought it would be nice for her (and us!) to get outdoors. We got her a little harness and lead (I thought she'd need loads of time to get used to it, but no, she was instantly fine), and started off with little walks in the car park behind our flat. These went well, so we ventured a little further afield! Before we knew it, Beanie was happily coming along to parks, and we've started taking her on bigger trips too.

We didn't have any trouble getting her used to her harness or lead, she adjusted straight away. If you are walking a cat you have to accept that they'll go at their own pace, and that isn't always the direction you want to go in! We've found that if she's on a woodland path Beanie's quite good at following the trail, but when we take her out in the city, we usually carry her until we get to a park or a cat-friendly space where she can just explore as she likes. It's important we don't force her to do anything, and keep the experience positive for her.

As Sphynx don't have a proper fur coat (they do have a peachy fuzz which is incredibly soft), they can easily get cold, so we only take Beanie out on warm days, and will put on her jumper or tshirt if she needs it. We always take water and some treats - she's never tried to wriggle out of her harness or get away from us, but you never know, so we have Dreamies to reward her for being good and as an emergency bribe in case it's needed. 

Exploring heather

We've got a little cat backpack (this one!) which makes us officially cool guys, but it's really great. We let her get used to it in the house first (she loves sitting in things, so she took to it really quickly), and it's a convenient way to carry her whether we're on our way to somewhere, or if she's got a bit tired of walking. If we're just chilling out in a park or stopping for a rest she'll often use her cat backpack as a little den too, and takes herself to sit in it for some shade or if she wants to just look at things.

Other animals LOVE Beanie, and luckily she's very relaxed about meeting people and animals, probably because she's been used to this since she was a kitten. She used to be quite curious about dogs, but now we think the excitement has worn off, and she's less bothered about them, but very patient and calm when they come to say hello. Obviously we're hyper cautious when dogs approach, but normally dogs are on the lead and their owners are polite and make sure their dog is being careful.

A rare no-harness moment when we were in the Highlands last year

People love to say hello to Beanie too, but even if they don't come over, people will NOTICE - so prepare to get a lot of attention if you have a cat out on a lead! At first I was a bit nervous about feeling embarrassed about being such a massive weirdo (let's not sugarcoat it, walking a cat is pretty unexpected) but other than getting a few strange looks, most people are just really pleasantly surprised to see her and have lots of questions! People tend to assume she's a tiny dog at first, and often it's the first time they've ever met a Sphynx - Beanie's super sociable, so she's happy getting lots of pats from strangers.

Beanie's an energetic, super inquisitive cat, so it's so nice to feel like we're giving her a more interesting life, and it's so nice for us to get to take her places! A few weeks ago we hired a car and drove up to Killiecrankie and she was just such a good girl in the car, on the walk, everywhere. It is like having a little dog, except on rainy days you don't have to worry about leaving the house. We're hoping to try going camping with Beanie soon (we are just fully obsessed with her, so why not), so we shall see if we can take our adventure cat to the next level!

MEET BEANIE!

Our menagerie has expanded! Say hello to Beanie, our Sphynx kitten.

I didn't think I'd ever get to  be a cat owner again, as my boyfriend is very allergic to cats... but one day we started talking about hairless cats - maybe they wouldn't be so bad - which led to visiting Sphynx cats to see if he'd be okay - which led to reserving a tiny black and white kitten (because it is impossible to "just visit" kittens, without falling in love!).

So in December 2019, we paid a deposit to reserve our new Sphynx, who we would collect three months later when she was 16 weeks old. Back then, we had no idea what the next few months would hold and so alongside all the pandemic anxiety, I was also super stressed about whether we'd actually be allowed to go and get her! But we got her just in time, and it meant there was at least one upside of lockdown - we had loads of time to bond with our lovely new kitten.

It's coming up to a year (!) since we got her and she is just the perfect girl, I am utterly obsessed. I've never met a cat so friendly and brave - there is zero aloofness in this kitten! She's like a little cat-dog cross, she's super social, she loves people and other animals, she wants to be cuddled all of the time (they call Sphynx velcro lap cats and it is totally true!) and she is never phased by anything!

We have fully embraced insane Sphynx owner life, so we do treat Beanie like a mini dog. Last summer she hung out with us in the park on sunny days (she was the very best girl, saying hi to loads of surprised dogs and little kids), we went to the Highlands and even took her on holiday with us! She calmly slept through a 5 hour drive, walked on her lead on a big ramble through the forest, and even visited Urquhart Castle - much to the lols of the other tourists there.

Being hairless means she NEVER SHEDS, which is honestly a delight, and makes me wonder if I could ever go back to a moulting pet. No more endless lint rollers! 

I've always wanted a dog, but couldn't really justify it because of flat-living-life, but honestly I think Beanie perfectly fits my pet-loving heart - she's just amazing!

Owning a Sphynx is a little more high-maintenance than other cats. Firstly, she was pretty pricey - we had to save up for a long time, but it felt worth it as she was the only kind of cat that wouldn't trigger allergies (worth noting that there's no guarantee you won't react to a Sphynx if you are allergic to other cats, but it worked out for us). 

They aren't completely hairless - she's covered in a peachy fuzz which means she's super soft to touch, but she does need fairly regular baths as she gets a bit grimey! Luckily, because she's an angel, she is incredibly chill about bathtime, so it's actually pretty sweet when she gets her bubble bath. You also have to clean their ears pretty regularly (those big ol' ears get grimey too) - I just use cotton buds and coconut oil. 

Sphynx have a slightly higher body temperature than other cats (which is great in the winter, but in hot days it can feel like you have a sentient hot water bottle stalking you), but they do get cold easily which means on colder days she has to wear little jumpers to keep her cosy. 

We also feed Beanie a pretty varied diet of wet and dry cat food and raw meat - a high quality diet helps maintain the oils in her skin. 

Pints in the park with Beanie

I just could not recommend a Sphynx more, they are such brilliant creatures and she has brought so much love and joy to our lives!

If you'd like to see more of Beanie, I made her an instagram (of course I did), and you can follow along here: sphynxbeanie

EDINBURGH'S CAT CAFE

Last week, Maison de Moggy, Scotland's first cat cafe opened up in Edinburgh. Cat cafes are, as you'd imagine, places where you can hangout with cats, while drinking tea, eating cakes, and just enjoying purring pals.

Cat cafes got super popular in Japan and started popping up in the UK recently (Lady Dinah's Cat Emporium is probably the best-known over here). They're aimed at people who love cats but can't keep them, and offer the chance to relax with some feline company.

The cats at Maison de Moggy have all been living together for a few months to let them become pals (because there's nothing worst than scrapping cats), and there's a member of staff watching them at all times to make sure they don't get in any mischief (or more likely, that they aren't wound up by customers).

And they're CUTE. You can see the cats here, and they're quite an exotic bunch - ragdolls, bengals, a chinchilla persian, maine coon, norwegian forest cat, and a couple of British shorthairs. Fancy cats are lovely, but it would have been nice to see some mongrels in there too - I hope if they ever expand their gang, they think about rescue kittens, there's so many of them in centres (always neuter your pets, kids!).

If you want to visit the cafe you have to book a time in advance (which you can do online). It costs £6 (or £7) at the weekend for an hour, and they recommend that you arrive at least 15 minutes early so you can be briefed and not miss out on any of your cat hangtime!

Maison de Moggy is based at 26 Hamilton Place in Stockbridge, Edinburgh, and is open Monday to Saturday, 11am - 7pm.

OUTFIT: The perfect yellow raincoat

I have been on the hunt for my ideal yellow raincoat for an absolute age - and I used to think it just didn't exist! I wanted one that would withstand horrible Scottish weather and make me look a wee bit like a lighthouse keeper, but didn't feel like I was just wearing a tent. I kept passing tiny children wearing dream raincoats & was so jealous that they didn't seem to come in adult sizes (er, I'm a normal person, right?), but then... I found it!

Hooray. Say hello to my very perfect yellow raincoat.

Raincoat - ASOS (via Ebay)
Dress - Primark
Dr Martens - Spartoo*

It's an ASOS rain mac that's sold out on their site, but this Ebay seller seems to have MILLIONS of them. I don't actually know how that works, but I don't actually care, as it's perfect. It came really quickly, and fits pretty well (I think it's actually a wee bit too big, but that's my fault for being cautious and ordering on the larger side!).

Since it arrived it's pretty much rained non-stop in Edinburgh, so I've had loads of chances to test it out and splash about in puddles. It's just so good!

Another benefit of having a super waterproof coat is that you can cuddle soggy kittens!

Riley is the MOST ANNOYING cat sometimes... particularly on rainy days when he can't decide if he wants to stay in or out. If he's in, he ends up mewling at the back door pathetically, and if he's out he can only last five minutes before he decides he's too soggy and needs to come in. And repeat. Aren't cats fun.

And did I mention it's only twenty three pounds? What a BARGAIN.

Aw, yellow raincoat, I heart you!

Rileycat update

Look at his ridiculous wee face!

Since I last blogged about Riley there have been some pretty big changes in his life! He took the move completely in his stride, and only took a week or so in the new house before he was strutting around like he owned the place (and misbehaving accordingly).

But the biggest thing to happen to R-Cattz is this...

He can go outside! The cat imprisonment is over!

We wanted to let him out as soon as possible, but I also wanted to be VERY CAREFUL and not throw him into the deep end too quickly. It was recommended that we kept him inside for several months - this meant that he could properly settle after the move, he'd get used to the sounds and smells of the neighbourhood & he'd recognise our house as home. It also meant we had time to fix up our garden a bit & replace the fence with a sturdy 6ft number.

So after three months of longingly gazing at us in the garden Riley was allowed out! Cue LOTS AND LOTS of sniffing.

He has been absolutely LOVING it! He's still quite cautious about things, and I can't see him leaving the garden any time soon (he's not very good at jumping because of his bad eye), but he seems pretty happy. It's a shame that the weather has been so rubbish since his garden adventures began - the first time he encountered rain was HILARIOUS (and his dedication to continue to play in the garden was commendable!).

What a good cat! I'm going to try and set up some scratching posts and cat-friendly things in the garden too. Fun!

Riley

Aw, look at Riley. All chilled and snoozing, and not aware that life as he knows it is about to change. Since he was twelve weeks old Riley's home has been our wee flat, and he's never been allowed outside (although he was born on a farm!). I read up LOADS about keeping cats indoors before we got him, but didn't really have a choice in the matter - we're currently in a first floor flat with no garden, on a very busy street. There was no way I was letting my tiny cat (who had just recovered from cat flu) into the big bad city!

But over the last year or so my guilt levels about keeping him indoors have absolutely ROCKETED. Whenever we have a window open he does his absolute best to climb out onto the window ledge, and will happily sit with his paws over the window just sniffing the air. My poor cat prisoner!

Not for much longer though! I'll need to keep him indoors for a few months once we've moved to make sure he's settled in the new house and knows it is his, but bit by bit he'll start to get outside. Eeek!

I've been reading up on loads of websites (and a hilarious cat magazine) for advice on how to get him used to outdoor life, but secretly I am hoping that he'll be happy enough sunning himself in the garden and not wander too far. I can hope, at least!

Back to work

Well, it's been a pretty glorious two weeks. It feels like I've been off work for AGES and despite committing LOADS of holiday time to a set formula of watching movies/chilling out/eating toblerones, I've actually been a bit productive!

It was my birthday and I had two nights out with lovely friends (drinks, dancing, fun!). Then all of a sudden it was Christmas, and Craig & I were travelling across Scotland to see both our families, swap presents and eat loads of tasty food. I watched all Lord of the Rings films in one day after watching the Hobbit trailer, and watched both Deathly Hallows films in a row (with a bit of longing to go back to the wizarding world of Harry Potter). 

I started my New Year resolution a little early by learning how to roast a chicken, and I've already started on future house preparation by priming & painting an ikea bookcase (more on this later!).

So it's been a good run. I've pretty much exhausted sky movies, and I am looking forward to catching up with my work pals. Not looking forward to waking up early though. Secretly I just want to copy Riley and just hide under a duvet...

& tuck myself further under the cover if I think someone is likely to try and move me.

Thank goodness for cups of tea!

Riley!

Pets are just the BEST, aren't they? I thought it was time to dedicate a post to the wonder that is Riley, because, well. Look at him.

We first got Riley way back in the summer of 2008. It was quite a weird situation - I got a message on gumtree from a woman who said she was having to give up her twelve week old kitten for "personal reasons", and when I asked more about him she tried to get us to collect him the next morning (without asking anything about us!). Hmm. But by this time all common sense had flown out of the window, so we drove over to Fife to collect a fluffy tiny little kitten and take him home.

We were his FOURTH home in the twelve weeks of his wee life.

First day in his new house. So much fluff.

We took him to the vet almost immediately for a kitten check up, and it turned out we'd bought a sick kitten, who was suffering really bad from cat flu and had to go straight onto antibiotics (& our vet was horrified that he'd not had any drugs before!). He was absolutely covered in fleas (which can be really dangerous for a tiny  animal!). He also had no sense of smell because he was so blocked up with the cold, and to this day he still has problems with his eye (which seems to be permanently damaged).

Tiny cat & boyfriend bonding

He's been on and off eye drops and tested for FIV and cat herpes (bless him), but is now as fit and healthy as he's going to be. He's very careful when he jumps or pounces (we think his depth perception is slightly off because of his eye problem), but has adapted to this brilliantly, and still tears round the house and pounces on our feet.

Grown up cat

We ignored all the advice we'd been given by buying a sick animal, but I have no regrets. He's happy and healthy and safe with us. I love him.

Happy thoughts

This week has been nuts. Craig has been away all week, cycling through Europe (Holland to Germany & back, no less) and will be back tomorrow - hooray!

I've been kept busy - work is manic as we are preparing for the upcoming festival season (it's the Edinburgh Fringe programme launch next Thursday.. very exciting!), and I've been doing something every night this week (visiting mum & dad, roller derby practice, EIF's IN launch), plus drinks & dinner with friends. Phew.

Yesterday was utterly gorgeous weather in Edinburgh, so it made sense (in an evil Scottish way) that today would be grey and windy and a bit miserable. I've used this as a good excuse to chill with the cat & make a wee list of things that have made me happy this week...

1. - Riley!

Determined to take up as much space as possible

Last night I had been at my friend Murray's house for our regular horror club (basically eat curry and watch really terrifying films that make me have to hide behind a poppadom) & because Craig was away I was SO SCARED to go back to the flat alone. Ridiculous, I know. Anyway, I think Riley was missing me cause as soon as I got in he was glued to my side, purring the whole time (that, or he just wanted food). It definitely helped convince me that there wasn't any evil spirits in the house awaiting me!

The flat has been so quiet while Craig's been away - so glad I've got a wee furry pal to hang out with.

2 - Postcards

I like this for two reasons. Mainly because it is a postcard from Craig (aww), and I never get "proper" mail anymore.. just bank statements and junk, which is quite depressing. But it is also addressed to the cat! A nice touch, for sure.

3 - Hair scarves

Photo taken at about 11pm, hence the tired, smudgy make up face. Oops

Got this silk bit of goodness from a (ridiculously expensive) charity shop on the Royal Mile. Still, I love it! I wore it with my hair in a mini-beehive and the ends tucked in, but will also be wearing it in more of a bow with a messy bun (again, messy hair, ha). I wore it to work yesterday, and got loads of compliments (and brilliantly, timed it with the hottest summery day we've had so far.

The downside is that I am now a little addicted to searching online for cheap vintage scarves. Etsy's Vintage section is just dangerous, & am a bit obsessed about getting a really garish equestrian scarf. Seriously considering this one on ASOS, but reluctant to pay £15 for it. Hmm.

4 - New bag

& finally, I gave it to temptation and splurged a little on this bag from French & English Confectioner's. It is handmade, leather patent (joy) and will be winging it's way to me next week. So excited. I am trying to be a little more organised in what I buy, and go for things that will last & be a bit more timeless (er, garish horse head scarves not included).

That was a nice wee list. Happy thoughts all round.

FRENCH BRAIDS & WATERMELON NAILS

So. It's a rainy bank holiday Monday, I am skint (was promised to be paid on Friday.. turns out pay day isn't until tomorrow - argh!) & Craig is away on an epic cycling holiday across Europe (I'm totally jealous). I've spent this morning being miaowed at by the cat, reading (Louise Welsh - Naming the Bones - taking me a wee bit to get into) and watching the first episodes of Oz.

I have also continued on my "journey" of hair stylin', and did my best to copy this french-braid up-do thing from  Love Meagan (please note, my final creation looks nothing like hers).

It took me SO MANY TRIES to get it to a point I'm happy with (and it can CLEARLY be improved) - I don't think I've tried to do a french braid on myself ever, never mind at the back of my head, but hey. What I hadn't thought about was just how hard it is to take a photo of the back of your own head! How do these stylish bloggers do it? Maybe they have slaves?

Trying (& failing) to use my camera's self timer

Success! My hair is not this shiny in real life

You can clearly see how messy it is, but that's not the point. It's MEANT to be messy. And it isn't a bun or er, a regular plait, so it's different and sort of smart for me - which is good! It looks nice from the front too. Look.

I shut my eyes every time I tried to take a photo, so I compensated by trying to look like an owl

The other peril of taking photos of yourself (aside from shame, being too stupid to work your camera & just feeling like an idiot) is camera invaders! Riley usually tries to escape photo-taking, but decided to launch for the camera (or er, more likely the camera strap). What a wee dude.

Riley isn't smizing. Poor show, R Catz

Awww

Anyway, that's enough photos of me for one day, except to show off one last thing - my totally grown up nails!

They are meant to be watermelons (clearly) and are too much fun. I was going to take them off before work, but I don't want to. Fingers crossed I don't have any meetings with watermelon haters this week.

Hello!

Hello.

I'm going to write about the following things:

* cakes! baking & decorating, and trying to get as good as Ace of Cakes.
* roller derby. Learning how to skate and hopefully this year (soon! hopefully soon!) pass my minimums and actually be allowed to bout.
* crafting - or at least attempts to craft.
* & lots of photos taken with my lovely camera, that I can't quite use yet.

I also stalk my cat, a little, & take photos of him practically every day. But you would too, if you had a cat like him.

I think this will be fun.