A cat’s eye view of Halloween night… — And so the ritual begins. Small humans roam the streets, all hyped up on the kinds of treats that big humans typically ration for the purpose of bribery. Humiliating outfits are abound, comprised of old rags, plastic sacks, enormous white sheets, obnoxiously large, wide-brimmed hats, and an array of peculiar…

My mother always said that cats choose their owners. I always said that my mother talked a lot of old shite. It wasn’t just when she was old that she talked nonsense. It started when I was young. Scratch that; it probably started when she was young. She insisted that…

Motherhood in a hostile world — It was that fox again — the one with the limp. It stared in through the patio doors, swaying a little from side to side as if on the verge of collapse, brown stains running from eyes to muzzle like tears. I wanted to let it into the warmth, or…

Thoughts upon facing my father’s death — I put my hand on Dad’s arm and get close to his face and I think, God, he looks old. He looks like Grandad. His skin is too thin. Not papery — not that frail— but like the corners of a paperback that have been crumpled up and smoothed out…

It’s not easy but it’s possible. I’m proof. Prepare for pain. — Are you a dog person? Do cats freak you out? Do you see the tiny face and giant eyes of a feline and feel a shudder run through you, as though you’ve gazed directly into the soul of the devil himself? I used to be like you. A bite from…

A song parody of TiK ToK by Ke$ha — Wake up in the morning feeling like I’m dizzy Grab my dog I’m out the door ‘cos she needs to get busy Before I leave, grab my coat and a big woolly hat ‘Cos when I peer out the door I know I’ll freeze in that I’m talking icicles from…

The front door slams, the house shivers and its inhabitants freeze. “They’re back,” says Daughter, and her face quickly crumples as tears well. “Don’t you dare cry,” hisses Mother. “They’ll hear us.” The family falls silent and listens. A series of thuds and rattles comes from the floor below. Cupboard…