The Cat was not a half-hearted feline and, once she had decided to allow human touch and had us at her beck and call, she made the most of it. Treats were eaten from the hand of a human, more treats demanded, and more treats dutifully appeared. The Cat was training her humans well. We felt privileged to have earned her trust and she was happy to make the most of the influence she had over us.

Today, here is a series of photos all taken on the same day, when The Cat decided that the humans would not be allowed to get on with their tasks in the drive, and that treats were in order.

A typical welcome from The Cat when entering the drive at a time other than feeding time was along the lines of ‘you haven’t come to the drive without treats, have you?’

We would proceed down the drive, The Cat glued to my ankle. If she stopped, I stopped. She was in charge (obviously) and had a certain way of making her requirements known.

‘Well, seeing as you’re here, you can make yourself useful and rub the top of my head.’ Yes, of course, allow me…

Any attempt to proceed to the garden to get on with the long list of jobs would be countered with The Cat’s ‘and now I will follow, one step behind, until you produce those treats which I know are in your pocket.’ And she wasn’t wrong.

Treats. A few more treats, and then some. But The Cat’s opinion on what consitituted sufficient treats did not coincide with that of the humans. No surprise there.

‘No, this is not enough. Give me some more.’

Accompanied by That Look.

And, because sufficient was insufficient and there was no such thing as ‘enough’, the next step was The Rear View.

‘I don’t believe the treats are all gone as you say, human. No more cuddles until you find me some more.’

Attempts to substitute cuddles for treats would be shrugged off. The Cat wondered where it had gone so badly wrong – all that time she had spent training these humans, and still Not Enough Treats.