I couldn’t find a live-in catsitter for when we were away in Estonia, since both my brother and my mum were travelling to Estonia at roughly the same time. Eric came by at least twice a day to give Nysse food, but he didn’t get much company.

It’s easy to get the impression that Nysse is so independent, out hunting at all hours, sometimes gone all night. Does he even care about us – are we anything more than a source of food? Yes, he absolutely cares. He may come and butt his head against my legs, or stop by for a quick pet before going his own way again. Sometimes he simply walks into the house, says hi, does a little circuit to check that all is good, and goes straight back out again. But that brief contact matters.

The lack of company for ten days did not suit him at all. He was reticent and grumpy when we got back, and more or less avoided us. Didn’t want to be petted at all. It took at least a week for him to forgive us for the abandonment and start making proper contact again.

Now we’re back to normal. He comes to me for cuddles on his own initiative, and falls asleep on my lap.