Mrs. Cotton

Due to the rather dramatic heat this week, I decided it was best to conserve energy and conduct important indoor research from a horizontal position.

Naturally, this meant going through the humans’ photographs.

At first, I assumed the entire archive would be about me. A reasonable assumption, given my importance. But then I made a rather shocking discovery.

I am not the first cat to sit upon this throne.

There were four before me.

First, there was Snape. A black gentleman cat, very handsome and clearly serious about the mysterious arts of household supervision. He was only here for two years, which is far too short for any cat of importance, but I can tell from the way the humans remember him that he left very large pawprints.

Then came Spook — which means Ghost in English. A white lady, like me, proving that the humans have always had excellent taste. She lived to the grand age of fifteen and appears to have ruled with calm elegance, probably floating through the house as if every room had been designed especially for her.

After that, there was Snickers. A grey tiger lady who reached eighteen and a half, which is an extremely impressive career in human management. From what I have seen, she had the sort of wise face that says: I have trained these people for many years, and they are still not perfect.

And then there was Severus. A black British Shorthair lady with a very dignified look. Fifteen years of service, and clearly no nonsense. I imagine she ran meetings with firm paws, silent judgement, and excellent sitting posture.

But here is the important part.

Spook, Snickers and Severus did not rule separately. They ruled as a team.

A full management board.

Spook, probably responsible for elegance, atmosphere and mysterious appearances in doorways.

Snickers, Head of Experience, Comfort and Long-Term Human Training.

Severus, Director of Discipline, Strategic Silence and Serious Looks.

Together, they must have done the difficult early work. They softened the humans. They taught them where food must be placed, how cushions should be shared, when silence is required, and that the correct response to a cat entering the room is admiration.

So now I understand.

I did not arrive in an untrained home.

These cats prepared the kingdom.

They built the systems. They improved the humans. They made the way easier for me.

And now it is my duty to continue the legacy.

I shall honour Snape, Spook, Snickers and Severus by ruling with dignity, warmth, occasional stubbornness, and just enough chaos to keep the humans sharp.

Their work was not in vain.

The throne is safe.

Yours, Mrs. Cotton, has taken over management. 🐱 🐾

Ps. I included a photograph of these noble ladies on their thrones. Mind you, I’m not that white lady in the photograph.