Once upon a time, not too long ago, and in a land not far away, lived a cat. A black cat, by the name of, Lizzie. She lived in a cottage style house on the better side of the tracks and was availed with the best of cat food and the opportunity to purr throughout the day and explore the leafy garden by night. Gifts of mice and crickets were often gathered at the back door in the morning.

It appeared that Lizzie did not have a care in the world and by all ratings was right at the top when it came to status in the cat world. Top Cat- well, she believed she was. But there was a niggling problem. No matter how hard she tried to erase a particular memory from her mind and life, it was always getting in the way. It was more an evil presence that entered her home from time to time, a sort of wicked witch.

The evil presence was first recognised some years back. There were raised voices in the home and Lizzie headed to the source. She was greeted by the sight of her owner berating her husband and waving a book at him. Strange, indeed.

It became clear, that it was the book that was causing the trouble between them. It had arrived in the afternoon mail and was clearly the work of an evil mind. The book`s title "101 Ways to Kill a Cat "was an entry into horrifying methods of disposing of cats. Lizzie was shattered. How could such an evil thing be allowed to enter the home? Her home. A place of safety, and plenty.

Sadly, Lizzie, at the time of writing has passed.

When visiting the home I am now shown to the guest room where a large photo of Lizzie hangs directly over the bed head. There is a smile on her face. Still watching, and still planning, ever vigilant, of the evil presence.

Lizzie had the last meow after all.