Hiro, le blogging French cat's bigger buddy

Bonjour. Perhaps you were expecting to read something from Haricot Blanc, but she has kindly allowed me to paw away at the keyboard for a while.

Let me introduce myself. I'm Hiro (pronounced "Eero"), le blogging French cat's slightly older and wiser confidante.

I see she described me earlier on as "a supposedly friendly little madam who still seems like a giant compared to me and as far as I can tell is prone to mood swings".

Well I would like to set the record straight. Let me reassure you that I am as HMDT told HB "the gentlest, best-natured kitty around."

In fact if they were handing out certificates in good behaviour and mild temperament, I would be given an A+. And that's not idle bragging.

Admittedly things got off to a hesitant start with HB - she seemed so small in comparison and madly keen for a whole heap of rough 'n tumble. I wasn't really sure what to make of her, and it just seemed easier to show who was boss - rather hissily I'm ashamed to acknowledge.

But now we've bonded, and it looks as though we're going to have a great time together. I just can't wait to help her explore Outside and discover what the world has to offer.

Of course that's all in the future.

I see myself as the quintessential "Kool Kat". Nothing fazes me, well apart that is from HER, the rather - how should I put it politely - "highly strung" and "capricious" PRESENCE that (thinks she) rules the roost here.

I don't want to give the game away too much, but HB has rather a surprise in store.

You see we're not the only ones to have adopted the Fontainebleau couple (or the "tin-openers", "biscuit-providers" and "comfy laps" as I variously call them). There's another one she has yet to meet - a grimalkin, if you will, who is....well, exactly as the terms describes.

Plus - oh I shouldn't really - there are some four-legged, lop-eared nutters around. But I'll leave it up to HB to give you her impressions once she encounters them.

After all I don't want to influence her opinion or worry her unnecessarily over matters that really aren't that alarming.

It's all part of the learning process, and I'll let her discover and share with the rest of you, all in her own good time.

For the moment though, back to me. I'm two years old (born on 23 May, 2007 in case you're interested) and as you can probably see, as black as HB is white (although in direct sunlight you can see that there's definitely more than a hint of brown to me too).


I have a thundering purr, which I frequently put to full effect; and an even louder "singing" voice with which I make my presence felt and demands for food known.

Not that I'm a gourmand mind you. Toowfu makes sure that I watch my weight, and I haven't been allowed anywhere near HB's grub, which smells and looks gorgeously rich in protein. Oh memories!

Oh yes, and (again) contrary to what you might have read, I've absolutely nothing against having been given a boy's name. I like to think it marks me out, and it has certainly confused a couple of the comfy laps' friends when they come to visit.

"Oh he's gorgeous," they say on learning my name. Only to be corrected by Toowfu that I'm very much a girl.

Apparently I was named after one of their favourite characters in a US television series called "Heroes".

Right.

That's my introduction done. I hope HB gives me the chance to blog here again at some point.

For the moment though, I'll take my leave, and rest-assured, in me she has a faithful friend, playmate and protector.

Salut.

Hiro.