Holiday On Ice

 

It's not helping that my aunt tells me about the newspaper running stories about cats that drowned because the ice was too thin. I dream about that without her having to push my nightmare button: Chucky venturing out on the ice; spotting some birds bobbing on the water in a hole over yonder; running towards it; slipping and sliding into the hole; his body disappearing in the cold black water, never to be found again. Then I wake up, sweating.

But right now, the ice is thick enough for a car to drive on - I've seen it pass several times today - and it's certainly strong enough for Chucky. He tends to stick to the edge, as new open spaces scare him a little. As do the skaters, and the bikes and the sledges and the child-carriers and the motorcycles and that car and all the other stuff people zoom by in and on today.

Chucky seems to realize that normally, this is water, so he is wary. Even if the temperature does go up, I don't see him chasing birds on the ice any time soon. But what if he gains confidence? What if the ice really gets thin and it will break under his paws? It will be very hard to keep him and his sister indoors, but I think about moving them to the apartment in the city for a while if the ice melts. If not for their safety, at least for my peace of mind.

PS Right now, he is meowing because he wants to go into the sauna. Seems that heat still holds more attractions for him. I am so thankful.