📝🐱🪖A New Recruit in the Ring of Friendship

I have been informed that a new young gentleman has joined my Ring of Friendship.

His name is Little Soldier.

An excellent name.

Especially for a cat who has been appointed to a strong military family and will, no doubt, soon discover that commanding Humans requires discipline, patience and a very clear chain of command.

Little Soldier comes from a distinguished line of cats before him, including Joe, Potter and ChiCha, to name but a few. That is quite a legacy to follow, and naturally, he now has considerable standards to uphold.

Fortunately, early reports suggest that he is already living up to his name.

The poor little fellow has apparently begun his career with what can only be described as his first war wound, an injury to his hind leg.

I am very pleased to hear that he is recovering well.

A good commander must know when to advance, when to observe and, most importantly, when to remain comfortably stationed on a soft blanket until medical leave has officially ended.

His Humans, meanwhile, should not assume that his recovery means they are temporarily free from responsibility.

Quite the opposite.

Their training will begin immediately.

There will need to be strict policies regarding meals, seating arrangements, sleeping quarters, opening doors, interpreting meaningful stares and responding promptly to requests that have not actually been spoken aloud.

I run a similar programme in my own household.

Progress can be slow, but with persistence, treats and regular performance reviews, Humans can become remarkably useful.

I am also rather pleased to have a military-minded feline colleague in my circle.

There is, after all, still the ongoing matter of the irritating red tom who insists on wandering through my garden.

I continue to monitor him closely from my secure indoor command centre, but one never knows when strategic consultation may become necessary.

Little Soldier may therefore prove to be a valuable ally.

A fresh pair of eyes.

A military perspective.

Perhaps even a complete garden-defence memorandum.

For now, however, his most important mission is to recover fully, settle into his new command and establish a firm but loving administration over his Humans.

So, Little Soldier, welcome to my Ring of Friendship.

I wish you good health, excellent judgement and great wisdom in the difficult but rewarding business of Human training.

Stand firm.

Rest well.

And remember: the household may belong to the Humans on paper, but effective command is an entirely different matter.

Yours, Mrs. Cotton 🐱🐾