Wherever they lurk, we will get them - never fear

Sensitive souls should not read this page. Before Fredcat became the truly remarkable and famous cat that he is, he indulged in some pretty ghastly activities, leaving one to suspect that he might one day go over to "the other side" for ever. It was only due to the far-sighted effects of his mentor Forby that Fredcat was able to keep his righteous soul in place and stay on the side of the good and the great.

Agent Emi!

But, you ask, what were these dastardly deeds and who or what is the prey that one is wittering on about?

First of all, there are two types of prey as far as Fredcat is concerned. There are those who are constantly on the lookout to do Fredcat great harm and leave him helpless in the face of adversity - but more of those later. Then there are the apparent innocents, whose untimely fate might hardly be called "momentous" in the grand order of things. These are the little creatures that twitter around the floors of the Fredcat residence, making life miserable for Fredcat's human friends.

Frankly, Mr. B. thought that these little horrors just had to go. Fredcat obliged by hunting down all sorts of little creatures. When Fredcat himself was small, this was an evenly balanced battle. The speed of some of the little creatures and the little cubby holes into which they managed to squeeze gave them a distinct advantage over a cumbersome, lumbering cat, especially one who needed much sleep and rest and who therefore could not spend too much valuable time chasing fleeting ghosts.

But as time went on Fredcat became more adept at the chase and his successes started to become significant. Young and feeble mice and birds (who some might have said did not have much going for them, anyway) comprised most of Fredcat's early successes. It was not that Fredcat had a killing instinct, you must understand, but to Fredcat it was more like a game of catch and keep-to-play in which he delighted. Later on, Fredcat moved onto tackling small lizards - and even wasps!

Unfortunately, like that poor human in the film Jurassic Park, it was not much fun being the plaything of a predator. Fredcat's humans had to step in when the prey had a larger physical dimension (mature rabbit, anyone?). They believed that Forby was the true architect of rabbit hunting, not Fredcat, and they were as surprised as they could be to discover rabbits being brought into the Fredcat residence through the various cat flaps. Time and time again - with larger and larger rabbits! Mr. B. eventually put his foot down with a firm hand and persuaded Fredcat to desist.

Later, Fredcat discovered interesting creatures like frogs to deal with, but as frogs persisted in hiding in water (which Fredcat avoided like the plague) there were no real skirmishes to speak of. Lizards - on the other hand - were a most welcome diversion, their zigzag movements providing ideal training for Fredcat's watchful eyes.