Wrongfully accused

I feel it's important to clear the name of Sticks - a neighourhood cat who was accused of spraying on my oven trays. Poor Sticks was not the culprit - it's just that she was the doppelganger of the cat we call 'The Creature'. They look identical, except that the creature has larger ears. Sticks shouldered the blame gracefully, and then sadly died of a heart attack on Christmas day. It was so terrible and strange, I was outside her house talking to her owners about her (clearing her name) and she literally just passed away in the garden right in front of us. She was lying in the sun and seemed really peaceful. I liked you a lot Sticks and I'm glad it wasn't you. We will all miss you around here.

I also wanted to note that it was not even the creature who was doing it - we locked the cat door one night so that once you came in you could not get back out. Sure enough the creature came in and we thought boomshaka laksa! Lewis splashed some water on the creature and then let it out. It had huge balls. Then in the early hours of the morning another cat came in and began to panic. I went out to see what the commotion was only to find it was Zack from 2 doors down and, from the very distinct aroma, it was clear that he was the culprit all along. It was so early I just let Zack out with no punishment.

So, we have two wrongfully accused identical cats - one of which has died and the other of which has been unfairly punished with water. Then we have one offender, who has been allowed to run off scott free, but has not returned regardless. My only hope is that The Creature will forgive us, I miss seeing its kangaroo ears.

Update

It's a very hot time for cats.

The Mooch sleeps next to the open window on a new bed we call 'the cat's pillow' (different to Pachuco's 'king pillow' - a large cushion that is no longer in favour). Pachuco hogs the bed during the day and at night moves down to the end so he can receive love kicks from a sleeping foot. Sometimes he's so motionless I get afraid and check his breathing, but he's always just resting.

They have both been rejecting the moist towelettes that were accepted so gratefully last summer. However, our housesitter Dan had some luck when he placed the towels in the freezer and then transferred them to the cat.

I've been spending a lot of time at home resting too and we all sprawl about in the lounge on the cushions and rugs together thinking about niceness and striving to be loving and happy. Sometimes I bring them a little snack so they won't have to get up. I am learning the benefits of their ways.

Seeing in the dark etiquette

Dear Mooch, is it rude to turn off the kitchen light while you are still eating?