Rufus

A mother fox and one of her cubs, in my back garden

At this time of year, I can often see groups of fox cubs, running around, chasing each other, while their mother tries to keep them safe and stop them going too far

#fox #animals #nature #wildlife

Of all the thousands of pictures I’ve taken of my three cats, this might be my favourite

Look at that bundle of absolute chaos - awakening from his slumber to cause more havoc

#cats #CatsOfMastodon #pets #kitten

This is not my cat

I sometimes see him on my cycle home from work. He's old and has an arthritic tail, but was still able to jump up onto my bike, and clamber onto the handlebars in order to headbutt me

He pushed his head against my forehead and stayed there. We stood like that for about 20 seconds - head to head, him on my handlebars

We must have looked quite odd

#cats #CatsOfMastodon #cycling

This is how my cat, Molly, sleeps in the sun

During winter, she barely goes out, as she's deeply unimpressed with the cold

But the moment it gets a little bit warm - like it did in London today - she's out, lying on her back in the mud, getting the sun on her belly

1/3

#cats #CatsOfMastodon #animals #pets

This is not my cat

I often see him sitting on some bins (that's British for dumpsters) as I cycle home

He's usually busy doing important cat things (sitting and staring), but occasionally I'm allowed to approach and say hello

Not for too long though. He's got to get back to cat business. That sitting and staring's not going to do itself

#cats #CatsOfMastodon #animals

Norbert - sleeping balanced on the headrest of a chair

One of his favourite spots

#cats #CatsOfMastodon #animals

I was made redundant a couple weeks ago. From a school I’d worked at for 15 years, They gave us 5 days notice

Fortunately, I’m a member of a union. As were all the other teachers.

Industrial Workers of the World (IWW) were with us every step of the way. They made sure it was all above board, kept our dodgy bosses in check, & even helped us negotiate an enhanced redundancy package

So if you haven’t already, join a union

Here's my cat wearing the union badge

#union #iww #cats #CatsOfMastodon

This is not my cat

But he sits on this bench, by a footbridge which crosses the train tracks, and waits for people to stop and give him attention

I cycle that way as often as I can (although it is way off my route) to spend some time with him

But he's often already getting the attention he wants from other people

He's a very popular cat

#cats #CatsOfMastodon #London #animals

This is Molly

This is how she sleeps in the front garden when it's sunny

There is absolutely nothing she likes more than being warm and asleep

#cats #CatsOfMastodon #pets

Molly, having a lazy day - scrolling, commenting on bird videos, getting into arguments with other cats

I hope this lifestyle isn't damaging her mental health

#cats #CatsOfMastodon #technology #pets

This is Molly - a wild animal that lives in my house and sleeps on my bed

She thinks I’m a master hunter, because I leave home and come back with all kinds of wonderful things to eat

I’m not, of course. Humans are hunter-gatherers, and I’m leaning heavily into the gatherer side of things - by going to the shop and gathering cat food

She repays my successful gathering by being fluffy & adorable

So I got a good deal

#cats #CatsOfMastodon #pets #animals

I've been on #Mastodon for a month now, and I’ve just been posting pics of my #cats

A lot of people have interacted, and everyone's been kind and friendly

And I noticed, any time I have a sneaky look at one of your profiles, it's all anti-fascist! Trans rights! BLM! Anti-capitalist! Feminist! etc.

Which is another reason I love it here

Is it the cat pictures that bring out the kind and progressive people? Is there a connection? Or am I just lucky?

Molly thinks I'm lucky

#CatsOfMastodon

My mum hand-knitted this Spider-Man blanket for my sister's first kid, 11 years ago

Cut to now - my sister was going to GET RID OF IT!

Fortunately: me

It now lives on the coffee table in my lounge. ISN'T IT BEAUTIFUL!!!

#knitting #spiderman #marvel #comics

Didn’t know where Max & Norbert had gone. Eventually found them behind the curtain, like this

#cats #CatsOfMastodon #pets

Max, perched on my foot, about to clamber up my leg using his claws

A look of true determination in his eyes

#cats #CatsOfMastodon #animals

Max & Norbert eat like this so each knows the other is still there - while their faces are buried in food

#cats #CatsOfMastodon #animals

Max hates other cats

He hates them coming into his territory, gets upset when he sees one out the window

So when we rescued Molly, we introduced them SLOWLY

First 2 weeks, she was in her own room. We put things that smelled of her in his favourite places

Then we let them eat treats on either side of a doorway covered with a scarf. They saw each other briefly

Then short times together, slowly getting longer

It worked. Now he tolerates her

And she LOVES him

#cats #CatsOfMastodon #pets

Molly, keeping one foot warm on the radiator

#cats #CatsOfMastodon #animals

This is not my cat

But she sure did want a lot of attention (right up until the moment she suddenly wanted to claw me)

I met her on my way home. And yes I will be going that way again. Can't put me off with a few claws

#Cats #CatsOfMastodon #animals

Max & Norbert - together in their favourite spot

#cats #CatsOfMastodon #animals

Every day, when I arrive home, I give Max treats

So he's learned what time I get home and tends to be waiting for me. And he recognises the sound of my house keys and comes running (also useful when I want him to come inside)

Unfortunately, he's decided that, since he gets treats when I come home, he should also get treats when he comes home. So every time he comes in during the day, he expects treats

And he makes me feel so guilty for not always giving them

#cats #CatsOfMastodon #pets

Hello #Mastodon - I need advice

When I signed up 3 weeks ago, I joined a server without knowing what I was doing. Some have suggested that I might be better on another, but I am lost and confused

What are the benefits of moving? What are the benefits of staying?

And if I do move, where should I go? I know nothing - so your subjective recommendations & insights would be much appreciated

P.S. Here’s a picture of my cat, Max, looking confused - like me

#fediverse #cats #CatsOfMastodon

Two cats left their shadows behind

#cats #CatsOfMastodon #animals

This is Max, going outside for the first time ever

Shocked at how big and full the world is. Terrified and excited by all the opportunities and danger

#cats #CatsOfMastodon #pets

I joined #mastodon on New Year’s Day, with no idea what to expect

I found somewhere totally different to other social media. No ads, no algorithm, and a massive number of really nice people. Thank you all for making me feel welcome and comfortable in this unique place you call the #fediverse

But the best part is how much you all like cats (because me too)

Here’s Molly, sitting between my knees and staring at me until I give her treats

#cats #CatsOfMastodon #animals

A picture of my #cats looking like they just got caught planning mischief.

In fact, those expressions are because of the very stupid noises I was making to get them to look at the camera....

You may know me from all the cat pictures I post. But I'm also an English teacher

Let me tell you how a sentence can have 11 HADs in a row and still be correct

(Also, Max makes a brief appearance in this video)

#english #grammar #language #CatsOfMastodon

Just a beautiful weed growing on my balcony

#plants #nature #bloomscrolling #gardening

On the rare occasions that I’m not taking pictures of my #cats (see: almost all my other posts), I make a podcast called The Worst Writer in the World

My co-conspirator, Howard, has spent his life writing badly. Now we try to bring his stories to life, and maybe make them better

We laugh a lot. Our listeners do too (or so they tell us)

There’s over 250 episodes, all free, and - most importantly - they don’t have ads. We do it because we love it

Maybe you will too

#writing #comedy #humor