We’re in the garden room, enjoying a mid-morning cup of tea and nibbling on biscuits, chatting idly about this and that. Suddenly Mrs P stops mid-sentence, points through the window and yells animatedly “New cat, new cat!” I peer out and there he is, a handsome tabby with white boots striding confidently along the top of the fence that divides our garden from our neighbour’s to the rear.
Introducing “Yorkie”
He works his away around the fence, then hops down on to the compost bin and into the garden. Immediately he goes into overdrive, sniffing here, there and everywhere, and spraying liberally, advising any that dare follow of his visit.
Mrs P grabs her camera and fires off a few shots through the kitchen window. The cat seems blissfully unaware of our presence – or maybe he’s a bit of an exhibitionist – and after exploring the nooks and crannies of our little estate he settles down, cocks one leg in the air and starts licking his bum. No dignity, no style, no shame. But we forgive him because he’s as cute as a field full of fluffy kittens.
Looking relaxed on his first visit to our garden
Having secured photographic evidence of the visit we turn our attention to another urgent matter: what are we going to call our new guest. It’s become a tradition at Platypus Towers that all visiting cats will be named after brands of chocolate or some other confectionary item. Don’t ask me why we do this for, like most traditions, the truth of its origins are lost in the mists of time. Suffice it to say that this little ritual has served us well for many years.
Many cats have dropped by since we retired, have had their photos taken for posterity and have been duly christened. There’s Milky Bar and Malteser, of course, both of whom still visit daily and think of our garden as their second home. Other cats have been and gone: Flake, Oreo, Titan, Toblerone, Mars Bar and Minstrel to name just a few. All named in honour of our favourite confectionary items. So what on earth are we to call out latest visitor?
No dignity, no style, no shame. But we forgive him because he’s as cute as a field full of fluffy kittens.
After much debate we settle on “Yorkie.” For overseas readers unfamiliar with the brand, Yorkie is a chunky chocolate bar, much loved by macho male truck drivers if a controversial TV advertising campaign is to be believed. But Mrs P and I enjoy them too, so it seems entirely appropriate to name our new feline friend after them.
Having thoroughly explored and scent-marked our garden, Yorkie takes his leave. We may never see him again, of course, he may simply be passing through on his way to the Promised Land. But I have a sneaking suspicion that he’s seen potential in our humble little garden, and won’t be able to resist getting to know it better.
So, beware, Milky Bar! And watch your back, Malteser…there’s a new kid on the block!
Yorkie, the New Kid on the Block
Now I'm 64 
Fun! And naming cats after sweets? Count me in. Also, I like the way you welcome cats into your garden. Too many cat haters out there. Sigh.
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Cats and chocolate…the purr-fect combination! 🙂
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So fun! Yorkie is very cute, just as Malteser and Milky Bar. Tonight I will tell our Oreo that she has a British cousin “Oreo”. She possibly will be very excited to have an oversea relative😄😄
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Best wishes to your Oreo, and Calie too. I hope they are well. Tomorrow, 5th November, is Britain’s annual “fireworks night”, so I hope all the cats who visit us will be kept indoors so that they remain safe and don’t get too frightened by all the loud bangs and bright lights..
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What a lovely cat! And we must be related to the Platypus family – we jump up and down excitedly whenever we spot an animal too!
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Greetings to you, my cousins across the seas. 🙂. Animals bring us enormous pleasure, and watching them and spending time in their company always raises our spirits…much needed in these difficult times
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You know what I have to say, Mr. P. I hope Yorkie will the local birds alone!
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All cats visiting our garden are given a stern warning about the birds…they are allowed to watch, but not to touch our feathered friends. There have been no incidents for many years, so they have obviously taken the warning to heart 🙂.
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I’m in awe of your authority over the roaming cats! More power to you!
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I just wish I’d enjoyed the same amount of influence during my working life! 🙂
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Purrfect post, and such a glamour cat! Your naming process is delicious. Our Covid refugee cat is named JoJo because when she first came to our backdoor and insisted she come inside, I quoted the Beatles “Get back JoJo, get back to where you once belonged” but then we discovered (what she already knew) she had found sanctuary.
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Thank you! JoJo must have travelled a “Long and Winding Road” before turning up at your door. When she looked into your eyes pleadingly, the only thought running through her mind was “Don’t Let me Down. You took one look and knowing that “All You Need is Love” you gave her a new forever home. I could go on, but perhaps I should stop there! 🙂
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Wonderful reply! I am sure JoJo agrees and thought We Can Work It Out. I’ve had A Hard Day’s Night and I’m So Tired that I should Let It Be but the name of your blog brings back memories of listening to that song on the radio and never once In My Life did I Imagine I would reach that age. Ah, the nostalgia of Yesterday.
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Thank you, Your response is equally wonderful! The Beatles were an important part of the soundtrack to my youth, and their work stands the test of time very well. Incidentally, I rate In My Life, which you reference in your message, as one of the most beautiful love songs ever written. The lyrics are measured, yet so emotionally charged that I’m welling up just thinking about them. Thank you again, Gretchen, for inviting me to take a Magical Mystery Tour of my Beatles memories!
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Thank you for your moving reply. In My Life is emotional and I agree no other band weathered the storm quite like The Beatles. They are also the indelible soundtrack to my early life and the songs seem to have eventually encompassed my experiences. I take the liberty of posting this interesting Penguin Random House link about the literary influences on Paul McCartney’s song writing which I found fascinating:
https://www.penguin.co.uk/articles/2021/november/paul-mccartney-lyrics-books-literature-beatles.html
All the best, Gretchen.
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Thank you for the link, Gretchen. Fascinating indeed. I had no idea that McCartney’s influences were so eclectic. He clearly put his reading to very good use! I must try to get hold a copy of the book to find out some more. Thank you again, and best wishes to you!
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Maybe you could do a book review!
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I’ll have a word with Santa, and see if he can come up with the book on 25 December!
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That’s fun. I should name my back yard visitors. They don’t linger long though, just stroll across the top of the shed and on to next doors. Kit Kat might be an appropriate name. 🙂
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Kit Kat’s a good one. I’ll add it to the list in readiness for another new visitor.
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Greetings Yorkie 🙂 I do hope Malteser and Milky Bar welcome you to the family.
I am sure Mr and Mrs P will enjoy your visits and maybe even treat you to some fresh fish 🙂
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I’m sure Milky Bar and Malteser will make Yorkie very welcome, and from Mrs P and I he is guaranteed love and treats whenever he visits.
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Yorkie looks right at home in your garden! 🙂
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Behaving like he owns it!
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Handsome Yorkie looks like he has decided that your estate is in fact his! (But I suspect you won’t mind in the least. 🙂 ).
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You’re right, he’s very welcome any time!
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