Our Hooman entered a competition ... and she won! So, Gabion and I sat and waited for postie to arrive. With all this coronavirus that's keeping Hooman at home with us, postie left a box with the prize in on the driveway as people are self-distancing themselves right now. A lot of them are working at home which has its advantages. They are now here 24/7 to dispense food, cuddles, treats and kisses. It also has its disadvantages; they do tend to disturb serious napping which normally takes place whilst they are at the place called work.
Naturally Gabion and I supervised the opening of the cardboard box as Hooman very gently lifted out the most beautiful coloured jewel which sparkled in the sunshine. I sniffed it curiously hoping it had something nice inside for me. It smelt of a very sumptuous dark chocolate. Something cats are not supposed to have. Gabion promptly bagged the cardboard box it came in and sat in it for the rest of the day.
It was a bonbonniere. An exquisite handmade paper mâché bonbonniere. They originated in Italy and contained favours such as sugared almonds to be given away at special occasions such as weddings, to give the recipient good luck. This one now residing at Tom Cat Towers contained our Hooman's fave- dark chocolate covered coffee beans. These are like catnip kibbles for people and they love them with a small cup of strong coffee. Our Hooman was over the moon. They have been shared and enjoyed very much. The little chocolate covered coffee beans didn't last long!
The bonbonniere was made by Rita Fahri and is very delicately hand painted. I instantly fell in love with it. It is stunning. When all the little beans had been eaten our Hooman filled it with Dreamies and it is now mine. It is a work of art and is just the right size to dip my whiskers in and nibble at the Dreamies! I sit and look at the flowers as the sun catches them and makes it twinkle.
The painted lid is removed and I am allowed a small ration of treats at a time. I guard it jealously. Gabion is allowed to have some treats too, but I sit and supervise as he can be quite a greedy boy and will hoover all my treats up if I'm not looking. With the glorious weather we have had the bonbonniere is taken out on a tray with afternoon tea and we sit in the garden with Hooman and are allowed some Dreamies from the bonbonniere.
It lives in the bedroom by our big bed where we cuddle up next to Hooman, she snores, and we purr. In the morning to lots of rumbly purrs, the lid is lifted, and we are allowed a couple of treats before breakfast.
Every cat should have a Bomboniere filled with treats!
Lord Reginald Desmond Vagabond of Tom Cat Towers
NOTE: Cats and dogs should never be given chocolate under any circumstances.
In the Middle of a World...
"In the middle of a world that has always been a bit mad, the cat walks with confidence."
Roseanne Anderson