Lara today

Portrait of Lara, 9 years old and not feeling it.

Now, after these years together, I am beginning to wonder whether Lara's noises will grow with her age or not. She has always spoken exaggeratedly: there are times when she almost won't shut up. And I, who have always answered her, have probably not improved the situation. However.

When she was little she purred like a moped. Now, as an adult, it continues. But to the classic feline noises she has added a series of jaw flapping and loud yawns that sometimes sound like being with a grandfather without dentures. The occasional burp can also be heard.

I wonder if one day our house will become a kind of feline sports bar, complete with a gambling den of tin cans and playing cards that instead of jacks, ladies and kings will have anchovies, whitebait and tuna.