My cat Chester, who is about 11 years old and whom I’ve only had the pleasure of company for the past three years, has recently become the neediest animal alive. He’s always insisted on following me from room to room and whenever I sit he either wants to be in my lap or relatively near it. I personally prefer when he just sits near me since he weighs about 20 pounds and has this remarkable way of cutting off my blood supply whenever he puts his full weight on me. About three months ago I had to start showering with the bathroom door opened a crack otherwise he would stand outside the closed bathroom door and cry so loud I could actually hear him above the sound of falling water. He would do this nonstop until I got out of the shower and opened the door for him.

As of last Friday, he now insists on being in the bathroom with me while I shower. He hunkers down on the floor, and as soon as I step out of the shower he lets me know how much I was missed by shedding cat hair all over my slightly damp calves and ankles. I don’t think I’m worried yet. Not really, but if in three months I end up with a cat in the shower with me then I think it will definitely be time to start asking the vet questions to determine if Chester has completely gone ’round the bend.