Hi people, it’s me, Bengie, ship’s cat aboard Anui. I am 18 today, so my Mum & Dad are letting me run the show on the blog!
I am officially the oldest on board, 88 in human years, a bit arthritic just like all members of the crew, but still keen on adventures, cuddles and good food.
In my old age I have become more curious about other critters. I especially like watching wombats on the TV. And lately while we were offshore, a few terns have come on board without my say so and I had to restrain myself, despite being very tempted to biff them! But most of all, I LOVE my sleeps… on the goat or on my humans’ lap.
Here is a selection of pictures I quite like. You might not have seen all of them before. Let me know which one is your favourite! And remember: my name is Bengie, as in ‘Bengie the Bengal’ – not Benji or other variations on the theme. Get it right, guys!
Sv-Anui 
Happy Birthday, Bengie!! 😊❤️😻
Thanks John!
Meow meeeow! ❤️😊
Happiest birthday, Bengie! Apologies for misspelling your regal name…
I think the photo of you on watch on the front deck is my favourite – great to see you keeping a close eye on things!
Hope you have some extra treats today.
Much love
The Roobi Crew ❤️❤️❤️
Hi guys, Thanks you for the birthday wishes. Yes I am getting some good tucker today and I have asked my humans to skip the arthritic meds as I really don’t like the taste of it. Cuddles and pats are good too… I miss yours Helene!
It’s a hard life being a seafaring cat but she’s done it with style. Looking good, sleek and glossy. And all the while keeping the humans in check and reminding them of their place in the family hierarchy. Hope the slaves have organised some extra treats.
They have, Ann, and heaps of pats and cuddles too… as they should! Thanks for saying hello!
no matter how old they get they are always our fur babbies, happy birthday Bengie
Hiya Henry, very true.
Avanappibefdy Bengie
Loux
Ta very muchly – and a head butt to you two, Lou & Tom
Hi Bengie,
I didn’t know you enjoy watching a good wildlife documentary! I do too, so I’ll say my favourite photo is of you doing that.
All the best, Murray
Thanks Murray – yes those wombats were quite scary with all their grunting! They sounded wild and I was mesmerised! Tail cuddle to you!
Oh, and many happy returns of the day Bengie 🙂
Thanks Murray, feeling my age but still having fun!
You must be awfully well fed to have let lunch on the fly go by.
Clearly you have the crew well trained. 😊😊
Hiya Bill, you know very well I have trained the humans well. You have seen me in action! And yes they feed me on demand, as they should! Tail cuddle to you. Hope to see you soon.
Happy birthday Bengie! Did mum and dad make you a nice fish cake with 18 candles?
Do you think it’s about time they got you some goggles and flippers? We’d love to see you underwater chasing the catfish 😉 Say meow to your humans!
Hey Elgar, I’m not so keen on your idea, I like the water but from a distance… too much salt on my fur the few times I have gone in and much easier to have my humans share their catch!
Happy 88th Birthday Bengie
hoping I look as good as you in these photos when I reach your age. Lindy & Phil send many pats & I look forward to our boats meeting up again at some time not too long away
Best wishes & happy sailing from one ships bengal to another
Ella Bleu
Meow Ella Bleu, so purrfect to get your message! Hope you are doing well too and having fun running around on land. See you on our way south.
Sorry Bengie, I don’t think my earlier attempt got through. Wishing you a (now belated) happy birthday with lots of loves and cuddles. Trish and Andrew. Trish likes the photo with the fluffy white stuff. It looks like a big feather boa and makes you look very regal
Hey Trish and Andrew, nice to get your good wishes and cuddles. That white fluffy thing is ‘the goat’, a rug I like to hide in when it’s cold!
Hope you two are having fun!
Hi Bengie. I am not sure getting the boat ready to sail again would be called fun – especially since our next destination is The Boat Works. However, we are looking forward to getting back out on the water again and back to normal. xx
What have you been up to these last few months?
Scotland, Switzerland and Italy – in a nutshell (we travelled to Europe by plane but we did take quite a few boat trips)
Wow, well it explains the silence. Enjoy getting back to boat life!
Thanks. Hopefully there is an opportunity to give you a cuddle in the near future. xxxT
Happy birthday Bengie, and hi to your humans. The white fluffy goat looks very theatrical; that’s my favourite pic.
Cheers Mary and Mic from Melbourne.
Tail cuddles for you, Mary. Thanks for saying hello. Yes the ‘goat’ is super comfy especially when it is cold. I like to knead it and bury myself in it.
Happy birthday Bengie, 18 is a grand age! It was a pleasure to say hi to you and have you meow back on the Gold Coast!
I love the tiger shot of you letting the Tern know your thoughts and also your glamour shot with the goat!
I’m sure you have your humans trained well to treat you with the regal respect you deserve! 🙂
Hiya Colin, so good to hear from you. Yeah that tern was pushing her luck… the cheek! And the ‘goat’ is super comfy when it is cold. Will be good for Tasmania! Lots of head butts for you and the humans say hello.
I remember meeting you when you were just a kitten Bengie. On one of your early adventures
Yes, my first Bass Strait crossing! I was four months old!