OUR PASSION FOR PETS DURING THE PANDEMIC

RSPCA warns dogs being abandoned as owners return to work, RSPCA, UK, Spain

ONE of the undoubted products of the pandemic has been our renewed love of animals – and a spike in demand for feline and canine companions.

However, as regards cats: “If your cat doesn’t respond when you call, it’s not because it doesn’t recognise its name. It’s because it doesn’t respect you and instead views your life with, at best, cold indifference.”

This according to another ‘MOBO’ study (Masters of the Bleeding Obvious). But everyone knows this about cats: “A dog to adore you, a cat to ignore you.” (Authors unknown – probably Profs Paddypaws, Fluff and Tiddles.)

My cat, bless him, is true to form. Meows like mad to go outside but then ‘blames’ me with a disdainful look if it’s raining. Even tries the back door in case I’m lying and there’s a different microclimate back there. Then looks at me as if it’s my fault it’s raining and I’ve the power to make it stop.

Cats have their undoubted qualities but, frankly, I prefer dogs, so comparing the two would be a rather odd, pointless exercise, a bit like judging Boris Johnson by the attributes required of a svelte, world class ballerina.

Moreover, I reckon dogs are far smarter than many of the individuals involved in any survey/’study’. Remember the time when, in a vet’s waiting room, I was surprised to see owners pacing up and down, jingling coins in pockets, listlessly checking out posters and notices while all the dogs present were sitting, waiting calmly, patiently? Then I noticed the sign on the waiting room door: ‘Be back in five minutes, Sit! Stay!’

Finally, many thanks for all the great comments left on my website about ‘The Sentinel’, my latest thriller, now available in audiobook format narrated by my good friend, the actor Rayner Bourton – ‘Rocky’ in the original London production of ‘The Rocky Horror Show’. Happy reading!

In fact, even thinking about the novel is sending icy, blood-curdling shivers down my spine…

Nurse, the screens please! That’s better, now I’m back on the meds. And bring that big syringe!

Nora Johnson’s psychological crime thrillers ‘The Sentinel’, ‘No Safe Place’, ‘Betrayal’, ‘The Girl in the Woods’, ‘The Girl in the Red Dress’, ‘No Way Back’, ‘Landscape of Lies’, ‘Retribution’, ‘Soul Stealer’, ‘The De Clerambault Code’ (www.nora-johnson.net) available online as eBook (€0.99; £0.99), Apple Books, paperback and audiobook. All profits to Costa del Sol Cudeca cancer charity.  

Nora Johnson’s opinions are her own and are not necessarily representative of those of the publishers, advertisers or sponsors.

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Nora Johnson

Novelist Nora Johnson offers insights on everything from current affairs to life in Spain, with humour and a keen eye for detail.

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