Animal instinct

The Monsters know that I am sad.

Lila wants have contact with me at all times. She is guarding my feet right now. I put my hand down to stroke her reassuringly solid head, and am rewarded with a warm lick.

Zach is on my other side, his weight firm against my leg. His tail thumps every time I look at him.

Both follow me everywhere. They stick close together, as if to reassure themselves that things are ok. Little and Large, although Little is not that little anymore.

Charlie, Frankie and Ozzie are my constant companions in bed. Charlie takes my left arm and shoulder, Ozzie the right, and Frankie takes my chest.

Since I am having some sleeping problems at the moment, this isn't as annoying as it sounds. It is calming to lay in the dark, hearing and feeling the purrs of my three contented boys. Their presence is soothing.

Willow lays next to my right leg. Holly grudgingly takes my left leg. She'd rather be on my left shoulder, but Charlie nearly always gets there first and doesn't fight with the nearby boys. Both purr quietly. Holly bops me when she senses I am awake and not talking to her.

Ellie doesn't like to be on the bed with the other cats, but she jumps up in the night to check that all is well on her way to her favourite windowsill spot. If the boys have moved, she will lay on my chest for a while whilst headbutting my hand.

I feel surrounded by furry love.