Not mogmanay for hogmanay

Three days of toil in the crappy, wet weather and only one mog to show for it, so it's just as well he was a smasher. No more work until 2013, so Streetmogs wishes you a very happy and healthy New Year!

Streetmog name: Mogwai
Actual name:
Favourite Location: Pavement
Preferred stroke: Under tummy tickle
Character: Party boy
Other: This one reminded me of a Gremlin, despite his affable nature. Mogwai was a special find and, considering he's the final mog of 2012, will always be a favourite. I spotted him from afar; he was walking down the pavement in my direction but refused to stop when I crouched to meet him, cheeky chap. After a little pursuit (he definitely had somewhere to go) I managed to get ahead of him and convince him to stop a while. He then underwent a change in character, from a preoccupied and disinterested cat to a sociable, affectionate and playful one. I loved the way his fur was being blown around in all directions - it made him look as mad as I think he was. Thanks for stopping by, Mogwai!

 

 

 

 

 

Have a black & white Christmas

A busy and sodden day out on the streets of Colliers Wood, but two more mogs unexpectedly showed up between the downpours. It's time for a few days off now; Streetmogs wishes you a very happy and healthy Christmas!

Streetmog name: Smudge
Actual name:
Favourite Location: Pavement
Preferred stroke:
Character: Timid toes
Other: Smudge was a dishevelled fellow. Perhaps it was just the rain, but he seemed tired and weary. At one point, I thought he was blind - I just think he was an o.a.p (old aged puss) passing the time of day. He was a nervy one so I couldn't get close enough for any fussing.

 

 

Streetmog name: Mask
Actual name:
Favourite Location: Wall
Preferred stroke: All over
Character: Affectionate play-thing
Other: Mask appeared suddenly from a front garden as I was sorting some packets out. He ran across the lawn, miaowing, and lept up to greeet me. I was quick enough with the camera to get him mid-jump/miaow. He then strode up and down the wall in search of fussing and nose-butting. A most friendly feline.

 

 

Festive felines

Following the meteorological pattern of recent weeks, the cold and wet was replaced with some spirit-lifting sunshine to mark the non-end of the world. And, of course, the streetmogs were out in force. Four of the furry critters actually made it onto the SD card today, but on close inspection I concluded that one was a repeat and one was such a bad photo that the mog in question would have to wait for another day. These could be the last mogs until after Christmas; tomorrow is a working day but have you seen the weather forecast for England? The cats will be in (dry) and the posties will be out (wet). Ugh.

Streetmog name: Inca
Actual name:
Favourite Location: Meter box
Preferred stroke:
Character: Wary scaredy
Other: Inca was very timid thing, and she was not alone. Her brother/sister was also nearby but proved too nervy and hence elusive. At one point, one was following the other along the pavement but my overly noisy approach spooked them to hide in places such as this...

 

Streetmog name: Mr Mistoffelees
Actual name:
Favourite Location: Garden shrubbery
Preferred stroke: Mane stroke
Character: Superior
Other: What a grand and gorgeous creature! Mr Mistoffeless really made my day (and thanks to colleague Parthi for pointing him out for me) with his assured strutting and rock-top posing. He was happy to weave about my legs and be fussed over, and was also keen to show me around his lovely front garden, once he'd checked me and my camera out. In fact, he rarely kept still. I think he was showing off, and who wouldn't with a weave like that?

 

 

 

 

It's a fair cop

It's been an interesting couple of days for Streetmogs, with the blog continuing to attract attention. Firstly, London Tonight (ITV evening television news) is interested in sending a camera crew down to Wimbledon to film something quirky. Updates as and when. Secondly, I've been asked to remove house numbers due to concerns aired by (a) local resident(s), that their mogs could fall victim to cat-nicking/napping/nipping/bagging due to their whereabouts being published here. I accept and understand those fears and I wouldn't want to upset any Wimbledon residents nor put their lovely mogs at risk, so I've removed the numbers, and street names for good measure. Perhaps those concerned could have got in touch with me, via this blog, rather than bother the authorities? Just a thought, but I'm sorry for any worry that's been caused...

From now on, then, all streetmogs will simply be grouped together in one big happy SW19 family. I'll continue to (privately) make a log of all mog locations to avoid repeats. 

On a housekeeping note, the URL has been altered (now streetmogs.blogspot as opposed to streetmog) to align with the name of the blog. It's caused lots of broken links and redundant posts out there in cyberland, so any re-posting and sharing would be appreciated.

And finally, a streetmogs post would not be complete without a new streetmog! Read on...

Streetmog name: Dorian
Actual name:
Favourite Location: Window sill
Preferred stroke: n/a
Character: Inquisitive
Other: It was a filthy wet day in Wombleland and I was not expecting to meet many mogs. If I were to spot one, odds were that it would be inside, and Dorian duly appeared towards the end of my walk. What a gorgeous little softie. He tracked my progress up the path and began to paw the window when I got close, so we had a little play with my camera strap.

 

A common view

Just one puss graced me with his presence today. Despite another day of beautiful winter sunshine, and once again working up on Wombleton common, there were minimal mog sightings. I know they're there; they have to be, with all that space, grandiose houses and rambling gardens.

Streetmog name: Cobweb
Actual name:
Favourite Location: Steps
Preferred stroke: Chin rub
Character: Assured
Other: Cobweb, being the first and last streetmog of the day, got the full treatment. He was sat on his rather impressive flight of steps, leading up to his rather impressive house (well, this is the most exclusive part of town). He had a loud miaow and was keen to get close for some head-butts, rubbing his chin against my camera on one occasion. I'd had such a great day, working in what felt like rural utopia, and meeting this chap was the icing on the cake; his final pose atop the steps, with Wimbledon Common in the background (what I'd give to live here), was most fitting. Bless up, Cob.

 

 

 

Who let the mogs out?

Just three more cats to add for now, but considering the freezing and/or wet weather we've been having, I'm always more than surprised to see them out and about. The sun came out yesterday, however, and I was working up on beautiful Wimbledon Common so I expected to see a few new faces, but only one crossed my path...

Streetmog name: Stoker
Actual name: Saffron (discovered April 2013)
Favourite Location: Doorstep
Preferred stroke: Chin rub
Character: Catty
Other: Stoker is yet another addition to the Kenilworth family of felines and bears a resemblance to Sheeba but tis not the same moggle, though they are of the same oggle. Stoker was miaowing like a fury and clearly wanted to go indoors, but she was amenable to some petting and was a very affectionate sort.

Streetmog name: Essex

Actual name:
Favourite Location: Doormat
Preferred stroke: Head scrunch
Character: Heartbreaker
Other: Essex from Wessex was sheltering from the rain on what was a miserably wet day. With those forlorn eyes and puffy cheeks, he won me over in an instant. Luckily, I had a parcel for his owner so he was let in. Initially, he didn't budge but eventually wandered inside. I wish I'd have asked her for his real name...

Streetmog name: Sabre

Actual name:
Favourite Location: Posh paved driveway
Preferred stroke: Back rub & tummy tickle
Character: Lordly
Other: Sabre certainly ruled over his domain. He was pretty friendly, despite some initial reluctance to come over and say hello (his owner had just let him out). Once he got used to me, he showed his soppy floppy side.

Jellycat reigns supreme

A one-off post to showcase a mog that I met a while back (Jellycat). Well, I'm 99% sure that it's the same one despite the change in appearance and character, so he won't be added to the cat counter. When I first met Jellycat, he was just that: a quivering, bashful mog who would not let me get close. This time, he was the complete opposite. In fact, he was anything but a jelly; he jumped out at me, followed me up and down the street (he was running sideways at one point), flung himself down for tummy rub and then proceeded to attack my trolley wheel. A complete loony, a handsome fellow, and such fun. A resident told me that he was often out and about and that they all loved him.

 

 

 

 

Furry felines confront frigidity

It was the coldest day of the winter so far and this over-worked and over-loaded postman was not expecting to see many mogs on the icey cat-walks, although I was out in Colliers Wood for a change so there was always a chance of meeting some newbies.

View from warm van

Despite the sub-zero temperatures, I did indeed meet and capture three more fine specimins. It was a long, tough day and I have to say that discovering these cats really did lift my spirits; I hope that reading about them brings a little fur-ball of joy to your day too.

Streetmogs name: Tux
Actual name:
Favourite Location: Car park
Preferred stroke: Upper back rub
Character: Frisky
Other: Tux was a really sociable chap and sauntered over to our van as I was preparing the mail. He wanted nothing more than some attention, including some decent fussing. Five minutes later I found him camped on the doorstep of number 24 so I had to assume that this was home. He wanted in, but I couldn't oblige. Sorry, Mr. Tux.

 

 

Streetmogs name: Michael Jackson
Actual name:
Favourite Location: Fence/under garage roof
Preferred stroke: n/a
Character: Perfomer
Other: Firstly, the name. This mog walked like Michael (he almost moon-walked across the fence); then he miaowed in tones not dissimilar to the King of Pop; and of course, there's the black and white thing going on (song and complexion). Anyway, MJ was initially nowhere to be seen but I knew there was a mog around somewhere:

 

When I spotted him, he was initially spooked and attempted to run off, but found himself semi-trapped on top of the fence, and then took refuge under the garage roof. Once he realised that I was a harmless mog-loving soul, he became quite friendly and was receptive to a good petting.  I love how his cheek markings are almost the mirror image of Tux's, above!

 



 

 

Streetmogs name: Paintball
Actual name:
Favourite Location: Safety (far from postman)
Preferred stroke:
Character: Wary wanderer
Other: Paintball (she is a wonderful mix of colours) was spotted sitting on the electric meter and I sensed she (I've been told (off) that mogs of this colour are 99% likely to be female) was not going to let me get close so I grabbed the shot while I could. I approached to see if I could try out my best cat whispering techniques but could only get so close before she turned tail.

 

 

Black velvet

Four more moglets for our enjoyment today. I've trod these familiar streets a few times before so I am amazed (and chuffed to bits) that I continue to meet new ones. The only problem is that many of them look very similar so I have to cross-check my photos to avoid duplicats. Indeed, today's first cat looks identical to a previous one, but on close inspection I am confident to say they are not the same puss. Also, I met some nice people today; two of them recognised me from the press articles and one lady asked if her cat Tango was featured in the blog. Not yet, Tango, but your time will come!

Streetmogs name: Shadow
Actual name:
Favourite Location: Fence post
Preferred stroke: Under-chin tickle
Character: Excitable
Other: Shadow appeared from nowhere, from above. She was watching me intently and I thought she'd jump and run if I attempted a hello but she proved to be a very affectionate soul and could purr for England. She looks like Jack Black to whom I seem to have attributed similar characteristics, and the streets do adjoin...but I'm sticking with her as my new number 67. Her collar's different, as is her nose, I think...

 

Streetmogs name: Pinto bean
Actual name:
Favourite Location: Window sill
Preferred stroke:
Character: Bag o' nerves
Other: Aw, butter wouldn't melt. This little fellow was extremely wary of me and of other noises coming from the street. As I got close, he was ready to duck behind the curtain and was in no mood for a confident stare-out that other inside mogs tend to offer. A scrawny but gorgeous little mite.

Streetmogs name: Grinch
Actual name: Mouse
Favourite Location: Sofa-back
Preferred stroke:
Character: Staid
Other: Our second indoors cat of the day, but this one was not in the least bit intimidated by my presence. In fact, she sat her ground on the sofa back and gave off an air of utter indifference. I love her expression in the second photo - she even appears to be rolling her eyes at me. If she could have shaken her head and muttered "what a loser" through the window, she would have. Perhaps she was unimpressed at being decorated in a fashion not unlike the Christmas tree. A great mog.

Footnote: I have since met up with Grinch again, real name Mouse ("Mousey"), as I was on the look out for a cat to be featured in a future Your Cat magazine article. Thanks to Mouse and her owners, you saved the day!

Streetmogs name: Agent Orange
Actual name:
Favourite Location: Tarmac
Preferred stroke:
Character: Occupied
Other: Now then, Agent Orange was an interesting mog. He was spotted at number 3 but was clearly on a mission to get somewhere else. He was a skittish chap and in no mood for fussing, and was actually giving this postie heart palpitations as he ran under cars and across the road. At one point, a total banker in a Mercedes pulled away at an unnecessary speed and I feared for one of Agent's nine lives. At the end of the street, he appeared again and headed into St Luke's church garden, so perhaps he is the clergy cat?

Five alive

Okay, back to business. Five more felines to post from my recent wanderings. Ever since Thursday morning, when the Wimbledon Guardian ran a lovely piece about the blog, quite a few people have been asking about cat genders or commenting on postmen and their propensity to sit in vans and do nothing. Well, I can't proclaim to know a cat's gender without close inspection (which ain't going to happen) and as for us posties, well, the majority of us work very hard for 8-10 hours a day, often longer, in all weathers. I tend to be out walking with over 100kg of mail, covering from two to five miles a day on foot. I don't take breaks, I don't eat lunch. The photo snapping takes me from between 10 secs to 1 minute, depending on how much fussing is going on. So no, I'm not dawdling nor wasting time looking for cats. When they appear, I try to meet, greet, capture and move on. And finally, there are NO repeats; I cross check every mog when I get back to the ranch!

Streetmogs name: Cadbury
Actual name:
Favourite Location: Postman's lap
Preferred stroke: Anything she could get
Character: Soppy mushball
Other: Cadbury was as sweet as her name suggests. In fact, she was the most affectionate mog I've met so far. She trotted up to me and, as I crouched down to say hello, jumped onto my lap and began to pummel and do all those affectionate head-butting things that mogs love to do. Sweetness.

 

 

Streetmogs name: Midnight (named by by son, Cameron)

Actual name:
Favourite Location: Inside, judging by her insistence to go in
Preferred stroke: Chin tickle
Character: Persuasive female
Other: Ok, Midnight might be a male. But she or he knew what he or she wanted - to be let inside. She was slightly stand-offish at first, almost aloof, but was quite happy to receive some fussing. I had a packet for her owner so she got her wish and was let in.

 

 



Streetmogs name: Batmog
Actual name:
Favourite Location: Window ledge
Preferred stroke:
Character: Puzzled
Other: Batmog was such a handsome kit, with a great face and such smashing markings. I should have come up with a better name. He wasn't sure what to make of me as I struggled with my over-loaded bag to get my camera out. I was tired and in a rush to complete before the light went and temperature dropped even further, after what had been a long day, so I didn't stop for petting.

 

Streetmogs name: Smokey

Actual name:
Favourite Location: Fence
Preferred stroke:
Character: Thrill seeker
Other: Smokey (thanks to my other son Ben for naming this one!) appeared fleetingly at the back of number 15 so I was lucky to grab these two shots. He looked at me with some disdain and certainly wasn't going to come and say hello but hey, that's any cat's prerogative.

 

 

Streetmogs name: Curiosity
Actual name:
Favourite Location: Front garden wall
Preferred stroke: Head rub
Character: Affectionado
Other: Curiosity was one of those mogs-in-pursuit of happiness. In this case, he wouldn't let me distance myself to get a photo, pacing up and down the wall after me in search of cuddles. He even rubbed his chin up against my bundle of letters.