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Hello everyone,
We have a cat. His name is Greg. Greg doesn’t like me very much and the feeling is mutual.
New Beginnings
When I first arrived in Japan and moved into my wife’s family home, I slid open the front door and announced myself in the Japanese way by saying “Ojamashimasu”. My mother-in-law smiled, dismissed my formal tone, welcomed me and urged me to come and have tea.
As I was taking off my shoes and getting my bearings, I noticed a small figure, half in shadow and partly obscured by a low table. It was Greg – the long haired grey tabby cat - and he was sizing me up. He didn’t move at all so I wasn’t sure if it really was a cat but it wasn’t long before he made himself known as a real pain in the bum.
Not a happycamper
In the first few weeks, Greg was just annoying. He would walk in front of me as I was walking down the corridor. He would sit in the middle of the steep steps up to our rooms, making it difficult to get past. He would sit in front of the door so you couldn’t get out. No problem, I thought, I can handle that.
But soon, things got worse. He repeatedly peed on my slippers. He vomited in our room. He began hissing at me. This was getting serious. He now scratches me whenever I pass nearby. He waits until I think I am safely past him and then takes a vicious clawed swipe at my legs. Gosh.
Resolution? ... maybe not
I’m hopeful that one day Greg and I might be able to sit down, talk it out and resolve our differences. But I have a funny feeling that there’s Buckleys of that happening anytime soon (see https://www.oed.com/dictionary/buckleys_n?tl=true ). In the meantime, I guess I’ll just have to keep watching out for my grey haired feline foe!
Have a great week.
Tim Ar.
Tim Ar.
Jun 24, 2025
Hey Liz!
Thank you so much for your comment. I love feedback. I added a photo of my nemesis in the text .... can you see how evil he is in his eyes?
Liz English
Jun 23, 2025
Haha hilarious! I too have a cat who can be a little....feisty!!