Cat Caboodle CXCIX

What an historic and momentous day for Streetmogs! Over the course of a long and tiring plod in the pussy rich area of Colliers Wood, I had spotted & snapped ten brand new kitties without even realising it. This took the cat counter to an astounding two hundred. It's only fitting that the 200th moggy gets its own post, which will follow soon after this one; read on to find out about the nine crazy cats that crossed my path on this most productive period of pussy procuring:

Streetmog number: 191
Streetmog name: Foxy
Actual name:
Favourite Location: Mid-pavement
Preferred stroke:
Character: In charge
Other: At first, from a distance, I thought this one was a fox but she turned out to be a rather beautiful ginger white. She seemed friendly but was more intent on showing me into her front garden, or possibly she just wanted to be let in. Whichever it was, I was to busy and shoulder-loaded to stop anyway, so I bid her farewell without getting any ginger fussing in. Shame.

Streetmog number: 192
Streetmog name: Skit
Actual name:
Favourite Location: Bushes
Preferred stroke:
Character: Skit
Other: Skit was just that. I caught a glimpse of him from lower down the street and, sensing he was a nervy one, approached his house quietly and with caution which enabled me to get the photo. He then fled into the bushes and would not come out, despite my best attempts at encouraging him.

You can't see me. Can you?

Streetmog number: 193
Streetmog name: Sumatra
Actual name:
Favourite Location: Window sill
Preferred stroke:
Character: Suspicious
Other: I had decided to stop taking photos of mogs-in-the-window, as some might construe it as intrusive, or slightly odd. But when I saw this handsome tabby tiger staring out at me, I couldn't resist. He was gorgeous and I'd like to have met him outside, which is frankly where he should have been on such a lovely day.

Streetmog number: 194
Streetmog name: Peewee
Actual name:
Favourite Location: Pretty garden patio
Preferred stroke:
Character: Indignant
Other: Peewee simply stared at me. Mind you, I was doing the same thing, over a low fence. I wasn't about to go through the gate to get to the patio, so made do with this one shot. She was such a cutie, and seemed as well looked after as her perfectly manicured garden.

What you looking at, postie man?

Streetmog number: 195
Streetmog name: Leonine
Actual name:
Favourite Location: Pavement & wall
Preferred stroke:
Character: Stand-offish
Other: This handsome tabby was very wary of me, despite being bold enough to sit in the middle of the pavement before my arrival. I did try and get a bit closer, employing a sneaky move around the back of the tree, but he scarpered. Not that bold then, eh Leonine?

Streetmog number: 196
Streetmog name: Epsom
Actual name:
Favourite Location: Garden path
Preferred stroke:
Character: Trouble
Other: Epsom was up to no good, as can be seen a little bit further down this post. She would probably have let me get closer for some fussing, but she had company and so her attention was elsewhere. I'm realising that I actually got to pet very few of these nine mogs.

Streetmog number: 197
Streetmog name: Derby
Actual name:
Favourite Location: Garden path
Preferred stroke:
Character: Cheeky
Other: Derby wandered across my path directly into the front garden where Epsom was minding her own business. Two mogs at once, I thought, how fun! And their antics did not disappoint; when Derby wandered a bit too close to Epsom, the latter took aim with a beautiful paw swipe, sending the former scuttling away to explore other things.

Derby & Epsom. I have a feeling they might be cohabiters.

Streetmog number: 198
Streetmog name: Nuttall
Actual name:
Favourite Location: Wasteland
Preferred stroke: Head scrunch
Character: Old sop
Other: Oh, Nuttall, bless you and your creamy fluffiness. This delightful fellow, whose colour reminded me of a Mintoe, struggled to get up when I approached. Despite his initial wariness, he let me give him a nice head rub and let out an endearing purr. This puss was the epitome of cat contentment, basking his lovely old self in the warm English sunshine.

Streetmog number: 199
Streetmog name: Flump
Actual name:
Favourite Location: Scruffy back yard
Preferred stroke:
Character: Timid toes
Other: I couldn't fail to notice the contrast between peoples' gardens in this area of SW19. I'm sure that Flump would have loved, and looked particularly great, at Peewee's place. But no, Flump has to make to with this untidy spot and she doesn't seem to fit her surroundings, being a most original and beautiful looking kitty. I'm sure she's happy and well looked after, however. I didn't feel like getting too close as I wasn't sure what was around the corner, and she didn't seem keen to play. I was also tired and looking forward to getting back home and perhaps nipping up to Epsom Downs to see some ponies.

Dead cat, marmalade returns, and a rabbit.

Friday was a strange one for streetmogs spotting. Despite the radiant sunshine, cats were scarce. I can only assume their back gardens were more enjoyable than their front ones. However, I did get to meet a sweet-as-cotton-candy-bag-of-fluff, as well as running in to an old friend...and then there was the bunny.

Streetmog number: 190
Streetmog name: Candyfloss
Actual name:
Favourite Location: Lawn
Preferred stroke: Back scrunch
Character: Laid back
Other: Something caught my eye as I walked up the garden path. A soft, furry and seemingly inanimate object. A cushion cover which had fallen from the washing line, perhaps? Or a dead cat? Seriously, I thought it could have been my first dead streetmog but, on approaching, it stirred and I was reassured that it was simply a sun-worshipping, and living, cat. And what a beauty. She got bags of attention and was in no hurry to leave her spot on the lawn. By the look of the flattened nature of the grass, this is most certainly her spot and has been for some time...

Tummy tickle, yes please

Back scrunch, oh yes please

A few moments later, I ran into this lovely chap and I knew straight away that I'd met him before. I rarely forget a mog mug. Nice to meet you again, Marmalade.

And finally, I never expected to meet a rabbit on my walks. But here's a first, and he shall be called Streetbunny. He wasn't really a streetbunny, as he was safe and sound in a private courtyard. I wish I could have offered him a carrot.

What's new, pussycat?

After two days plumbeous skies and the none too infrequent heavy downpour, it was a grand and unexpected moment when this fellow appeared. His miaow, his gait and his expression each gave me genuine, if fleeting joy. And when I spotted his collar tag, he was only ever going to be named Tom Jones. And this post was only ever going to get one title.

Streetmog number: 189
Streetmog name: Tom Jones
Actual name:
Favourite Location: Door step
Preferred stroke: Ears, back, chin...the lot.
Character: Loveable cuddle-bag
Other: It's not unusual to see mogs hanging around on the doorstep, waiting to be let in. Once again, a feeling of guilt washed over me as I was powerless to appease this particular puss. Nevertheless, Tom was a simply lovely mog who greeted me with the most raspy yet endearing miaow. He purred like a legend and was happy to be fussed over for a few minutes, despite my inability to grant him his wish.

Cat Cymraeg?

Ok, much as I'd love to write more about streetmogs, it's time to crack on with my GCSE & IB Spanish exam marking. Ah yes, there might be more to your local postman than one might think...

Lotissement des lots of chats

Two more felines for what's left of the bank holiday weekend. On Saturday I returned to Raynes Park and found myself back on the pussy-rich estate where I had previously met four lovely mogs. As it happened, I saw these very same cats again: Nougat, George Bush, Jaffa Cake and Big Foot are clearly used to hanging out together and it was great to see them and say hello again.

Streetmog number: 187
Streetmog name: Roland
Actual name:
Favourite Location: Wall
Preferred stroke:
Character: Sceptic
Other: Roland watched me approach, and I watched him watch me approach. It was a cat & mouse affair, although I was not a mouse. As I got as closer he moved down the wall slightly, away from me, and I surmised that this handsome yet disdainful tabby was not going to be party to some petting. His loss.

I see you looking at me, Mr Postman, and you shall come no closer.

Streetmog number: 188
Streetmog name: Garros
Actual name:
Favourite Location: Anywhere on her patch
Preferred stroke: Spine scrunch
Character: Busy body
Other: It's not often a Siamese is this friendly so it was a surprise when she jumped off the wall and headed my way (of course, there was no shortage of mog-attracting noises). She was very energetic and fairly antsy, but she allowed me to fuss over her for a bit and had a lovely deep purr. A few minutes later there she was again, basking in the morning sunshine, but she was quite happy to wander over and say hello again. Those blue eyes are just fabulous. What a splendid Siamese, happy to please!

Two Teasers

Once again, there's been a slight lull in streetmog sightings but things are sure to pick up; the kittehs will continue to turn up in their furry numbers as the summer establishes itself. Just two mogs for today's post, and two cracking ones at that.

Streetmog number: 185
Streetmog name: Greyson
Actual name:
Favourite Location: Side alley & garden
Preferred stroke:
Character: Insecure
Other: Greyson appeared as suddenly and as unexpectedly as the sun, and both were a fillip. This handsome fellow was very vocal and seemed to be beckoning me over. However, each time I approached him he moved off, only to sit a small distance away and miaow pitifully in my direction. I think he was a little wary, a slight attention seeker, and certainly a little bit cheeky.

Streetmog number: 186
Streetmog name: Autumn Bonbon
Actual name:
Favourite Location: Path & shrubbery
Preferred stroke: Tummy rub
Character: Floozy
Other: Oh man, Autumn was a sight for sore eyes at the end of a long day. She was a beautiful kitty and she jolly well knew it, parading her charms for the world (me) to see. As can be seen by the pics, she didn't keep still for too long. After some exhibitionist rolling, and a mutually enjoyable white-fluffed tummy tickle, she removed herself to sit and pose au plein shrubbery. She owned that shrubbery, in fact she mog-rocked it.

Top Cat & Officer Dribble

I came up with today's streetmogs' names as I was fighting the wind, hills and traffic during my peddled commute home from Wimbledon. It made me smile but at the same time I admitted to myself that it was pretty sad to be thinking of cats when I should have been paying attention to the road, or planning dinner, or something. Anyway, here are the two mogs in question:

Streetmog number: 183
Streetmog name: Top Cat
Actual name:
Favourite Location: Roof terrace
Preferred stroke:
Character: Lordly
Other: I'd met Top Cat before, but back then his location was not as lofty, nor was he acting as lordly; he was hiding under the car and I didn't manage to get a decent photo. Back in the previous post, I commented on there being four cats at this residence, so I've now met two. And yes, that big, black, loud dog was still behind the fence, directly below our beautiful mog, who merely gazed down at said canine with a look of superiority, as cats do.

Streetmog number: 184
Streetmog name: Officer Dribble
Actual name:
Favourite Location: Driveway
Preferred stroke: Chin rub
Character: Keen bean
Other: This funky fur-ball was such a sweetie. He was sociable, affectionate, and showed both interest and disinterest - he was attention seeking but was also happy to wander off and flop down for a rest. He purred like a trooper, and was so happy when being petted that he dribbled. I loved this cat. He was also a follower, accompanying me to the next two houses along, which was a fair plod as these were residences of the moneybags kind, with long their driveways and sprawling gardens.