@Ash Just a snapshot, no “nice photo” but since you asked (and I am way too excited to not share):

@Ash You are welcome! I guess you can see why we are excited and happy. Suffice to say that the little one is not just cute, but also very curious in a positive way. We are confident that we will be happy together!

I've been told to not put milk (in a carton, likely with preservatives) in the fridge before opening because it would somehow make the milk spoil sooner. I don't think that's true at all, but is their any truth in that?

Hey, @Jolenealaska! It's been years that I had chat with you since the last time. I hope everything is nice & clear around the frying pan! Hope to see you around here next time. Peace!

@Stephie bad boy! :)

@Stephie do you hear that drip-drip-drip? It's the sound of my heart melting.

@rumtscho LOL! I think he’s got the “Hundeblick” down pat already. So how am I going to be firm and consistent when he looks at me like this? And I shudder to think how well he’s going to train the grandparents, considering that Chester in all his feline aloofness has them wrapped around his paws.

of course he's going to train the grandparents, that's what they are there for :)

and they (dogs and cats! not grandparents) know when they are being disciplined, and know very well that you are not really as angry at them as you pretend. They understand the point of discipline anyway.

Of course, they also know very well when they can break the rules, and calculate whether the ensuing stern talking-to is worth it.

Don’t I know it - lucky for us, Chester almost always decides on “not worth it”. How did Edda deal with your absence?

the morning-sitters only saw her once

I still haven't gotten around to take back the key from the evening-sitter

no presents (or bloody stains thereof) found in the house

she was sooooo glad to see me again (me too)

and made a point of sharing my bed since then

so I'd say pretty well

ah, and I think she got a bit fatter

because they don't see her around to serve her wet food, they leave her heaps of dry food.

And no retaliation now that you are back? Good! Some pretend-ignore their humans. My first was so happy one summer that he perched on the thinnest part of the tub rim while I unpacked - because strategically it was the best spot for en passant petting.

And that was the tomcat that carried around a generous nine kilos at his peak time.

hahahaha

I am going to catsit the morning-sitters' cat for a week soon

I went to meet the cat on Friday, and luckily I'm faster on the bicycle than Edda - she was determined to come along!

Ah, then you can over feed theirs in retaliation :-P

I think the owners have already taken care of that part :)

Need to sleep - first day of school tomorrow. Getting up before 6am again will be brutal.

The cat is nice - I actually think it might be a purebred Russian blue - but it has a stocky build, with a paunch.

ouch! Good night, and a successful first day to your children!