Mr Monty's Fuss and Feed » Jobs

The hard working cats of Exeter Cathedral

MrMonty2014 — Mon, 24 Mar 2014 22:58:45 +0000

Somehow we felines have earned a reputation for not doing much. You humans seem to think we spend our days sleeping, only waking to eat and allow ourselves to be stroked by our adoring humans.

Well let me tell you we are some of the hardest working creatures you’ll find. We’re just incredibly intelligent when it comes to conserving our energy, which means we carry out tasks with precision, efficiency and a cool head.

Down the centuries we’ve been on the payroll of many famous organisations. Take Exeter Cathedral for instance.

The Cathedral is home to an astronomical clock that was fitted in 1484. Fourteen. Eighty. Four. Wow that’s old!

Anyway, the clock developed a rather squeaky problem. A squeaky problem with big teeth and long tails. Yup. Rats. They gnawed away at the ropes in the clock’s inner workings, which were lubricated with animal fat – nectar to rodents. Something had to be done.

So a hole was made in the door that led to the inside of the clock, big enough to allow a cat to get in and deal with the problem.

These cats were official cathedral employee, paid one shiny penny a week for their troubles. Imagine the amount of Dreamies that would buy in today’s money!

One brave feline employee, Tom, lost an eye in a fight with an owl over a rat and there’s a little stone carving of him inside the Cathedral.

Thanks to Fiona Bruce (I do like Fiona) for sharing this story on Antiques Roadshow!

Dementia & Cats & People

MrMonty2014 — Sun, 02 Mar 2014 18:25:04 +0000

My people Elaine and Graham are both Dementia Friends Champions. They know a bit about the condition and run sessions so other people can find out about it, then in turn do their own little bit to help people to live well with the condition.
As it turns out cats (and pets like dogs) can also help in their little way too.
Here is a picture on Tinker He’s a smart and quite large Ginger fellow. He was originally known as Tinkerbell until an informative visit to the vet in his early days.
Tinker is a bit of a hero. He lives in a care home with some elderly folk, some of whom have dementia.
Tinker makes a big difference in their lives. He gives them time and is patient and interacts and engages with everyone.
Turns out my Dementia Friends Champions say that’s a big part of what everyone (even humans) can do to help people with dementia to live well.
Share some kindness, some affection, some calm and some patience. Be like a cat and you will see the rewards as people engage more.

IT an issue?

MrMonty2014 — Mon, 17 Feb 2014 13:37:20 +0000

Personally I don’t find it an issue.
I do the sensible thing and have people do it for me.
Why do they have to scream and shout about is so much?
It’s just buttons and mice isn’t it?

Keep calm and get assistance.

Job roles

MrMonty2014 — Fri, 14 Feb 2014 10:28:06 +0000

As you may know I’m CEO of Mr Monty’s Fuss and Feed. What you may not know is that I am also keeping up my role as Head of Security.
Someone has to keep an eye out!