Instead of working I've been doing something much more constructive,
ruminating on the varied and complex inter-personal relations involved
in being a 1-human 3-cat family.

2 cats that were cosily cuddled up together one minute will be having a
little spat shortly afterwards. A Cat that was all over me like a rash
might soon be ignoring or avoiding me. And so forth. You'll nearly all
know what I mean.

So when things are a little tense, no matter which of us is involved, I
make it my pleasurable duty to bring out the multi-spined (I call it the
Hedgehog) grooming brush.  Snowball, on whom it can hardly reach down
through his luxuriant winter coat to touch his skin, adores this object
and will come trotting up as soon as he spots it, or if he hears it
being used on another will muscle his now considerable bulk in between
said other and the brush to insist it's immediately used on him.

Bandit, whose short hair is impeccably groomed by himself and who never
needs brushing, nonetheless enjoys the attention and both he and
Snowball will be purring and rolling over rubbing themselves into the
carpet within moments.

Even Pericles, who when younger disliked the brush nearly as much as the
dreaded Comb (his underfur mats easily next to his skin and is both
difficult and painful to declog), has after some years of trying come
round to the sensual pleasures involved in brushing - except near the
scene of the Big Snip - and leans into the strokes to gain more benefit.
There's no risk of counter-attack even when their vulnerable tummies get
treated as they perform "upside-downy-head".

So all bad tempers are banished by judicious wielding of the Brush. It
even relaxes me to be giving the boys so much enjoyment.
I wondered if anyone else was using it as a soothing tool, and how their
own little darlings react.

Purrs to all.

Gordon and the Terrible Trio.

PS As everyone's so mellow these days, even Hoolikitten, I think I shall
have to rename them. The Mellow Fellows, perhaps?