KNOCK, KNOCK. WHO’S THERE? IT’S YOUR PUSS

Becky chilcott, 22, is a carer who lives in Bristol with her partner Matthew and their three cats Micky, Minnie and Davey. Becky says:

I HELD a baby shower for my sister Jodie with around ten of her closest friends last month. We decked my home out with balloons and banners and Jodie wore a ‘mum-to-be’ sash as she opened all her lovely presents.

But just as we were about to cut the cake, there was a knock at the door. ‘Who could that be?’ asked Jodie. ‘Everyone’s here.’ ‘Oh, it’s just the cat,’ I said. They all laughed at me. ‘Don’t be silly, cats don’t knock on doors!’ said one. ‘Go and answer it,’ I told her. When she did, in sauntered my two-year-old cat Micky, like it was something he did every day. Actually he does — often several times, particularly if it’s raining.

It started about a year ago. Matthew and I were sitting on the sofa watching television one evening when we heard a knock at the door. When I answered it, no one was there — I even stepped outside to make sure.

As I came back in, I noticed Micky strolling into the kitchen for a snack. I knew he’d been out and realised he must have snuck in while I was outside trying to see who had knocked on the door. I guessed it must have been him who had knocked.

I was quite shocked, but assumed it was a fluke. Then a couple of days later the same thing happened again. And again.

I would hear a knock at the door, and when I opened it, there was no one there except Micky. I’ve no idea how he learned to do it.

I got Micky and his sister Minnie two years ago, when I rescued them from a filthy house. I knew straight away he was a very clever cat. You only had to catch his eye and he’d come running over whereas Minnie only comes if she wants to.

And he’s worked out that if he knocks a box of cat treats off the side in the kitchen, the packaging will smash open and the goodies will spill out on the floor where he can eat them.

Not that it matters — if he’s hungry, he’ll simply drag a pouch of cat food from the kitchen and drop it at my feet to demand I open it by staring at me intently.

He’s quite extraordinary.