This week, Ask Orlando received a reader’s reply to Hamish the dog’s letter to Orlando in October. Orlando has graciously allowed Pippin to speak to Hamish, dog to dog: Dear Hamish, I was moved by your plight and feel for you. Things are rather fairer in my household because Teasel, the very large tabby cat … Continue reading A message from Pippin to Hamish
Hello Orlando! I received this card today from someone and it cheered me up immensely when I was feeling down. It also reminded me of you! I always love receiving cards with cats on them, but I’m especially partial to ginger cats because I am a redhead. The cat on this card is not quite … Continue reading Orlando – this cheered me up
Dear Orlando, I hope you won’t mind a letter from a mere dog. Actually, I’m more properly described as a hound, and my breed profile says I will chase anything that moves. That is certainly true if I encounter a rabbit, badger, pine marten, sheep, or (and I do apologise for this, but you’d understand … Continue reading A letter from Hamish
Anne Dunford, our recent reviewer of Henry Mance’s How To Love Animals In A Human-Shaped World, has been in touch with us to tell Orlando about the cat in her life. Anne says: Orlando will understand how cats can achieve more than we humans can at times, so he’ll understand what this poem is about! … Continue reading Mango the Cat
Dear Orlando, I am a sixty-four-year-old Tuxedo cat and have always considered myself a fine example of my breeding, but I must confess I’ve let things slip on the exercise front during lockdown and gained some unwanted ounces. I’ve always been very active; I am extremely fond of night-prowling, terrorising dogs and occasionally engaging in … Continue reading A Book Shop Tuck Shop cat
Dear Orlando, Happy Caturday! I am dictating this to my human Miss Annabel Sings who I hear is coming to work with you on a pilot project. Good for me, I get some alone time. When she told me about you, I thought ‘oh I must say hello’. I hope your humans tell you daily … Continue reading Hello from Dexy
Dear Orlando, I am very worried about my health. Every time I sit on the mat near the warm fire, find a comfy place on a lap or am stroked, I experience a strange wheezing and rumbling. Have I got some sort of chest infection, or congestion of the lungs? Or maybe a severe stomach … Continue reading Help! A strange rumbling
I’ve always adored animals and have had lots of pets over the years. When I reached my fifties, however, I found myself living in Ross and Cromarty, sharing a house (and running a business) with a dear friend, and thoroughly pet-less. It was a strange experience. I was happy and busy and working and socialising, … Continue reading Webster and Wolfie in Wigtown
Dear Orlando, I write in a state of total despair. My humans have started shutting me in some sort of overnight prison and I’m absolutely furious. Prior to this outrage, I enjoyed roaming around my house, doing whatever the hell I liked and sitting atop whatever pleased me. Granted, this included my humans, and I … Continue reading Stuck in overnight cat prison
