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Thank you Cindy for this wonderful picture and your words which may help remove people's prejudices against FIV.
I took in a beautiful FIV+ Birman cat (with very blue eyes!), now called Burma, four years ago. He is absolutely adored by myself and my partner and is spoilt rotten, demanding our full attention and insisting on sleeping on my pillow at night!!
I would like to say to everyone, 'Do not be put off giving a home to an FIV+cat', in all probability they will stay fit and healthy and give joy to their owners for many years to come.
Nelson and Wellington were extremely timid when they arrived at FOAL but fortunately Jo and Colin offered them a new home. Nelson had lost an eye and had further problems with his eye, but they have fallen on their paws this time!
'They both seem very happy, going in and out all day long. They are happy for us to stroke them and even pick them up (which is amazing when you look back at how timid they were only 3 months ago). They can often be found cuddled up together or cleaning each other (and of course fighting from time to time!). We have had to ban them from sleeping on our bed as their purring is too loud!!'

As you can see Tigger's keyboard skills appear very advanced for someone of his years! The garden birds are being given the eyeball but no "action" yet, have given him a bell to give them a fighting chance!
Sox was adopted in June 2002 after being brought in when her previous owners were evicted. He has written to us as follows:
With the change of family came a change of name. I am now Oscar and really enjoy living here. I have twisted my new family round my paw and rule the roost - - there is alway a lap to sit on! I enjoy exploring the back garden but stay close to home.
 Didi was known as Hope when she was with us because she was brought in half dead, having been found abandoned with her 2 siblings on Showmans Park! Fortunately, they all survived and we recently heard that she had been neutered and 'is really part of the family now'

Introducing a new cat into the household can be very traumatic for all concerned and it can take several weeks before harmony is restored. The main thing is to be patient and don't try to interfere with the process!!
Timmy & Rosie have settled down together as this photo shows. There have been some stressful moments and their new owners were, at one stage, on the brink of returning Timmy. Things were not made easier by the fact that they are indoor cats so need to live in close proximity. Nick and Shirley wrote: Looking back, it was not a very pleasant experience - overall it has taken 3 months to socialise them. Rosie tolerates Timmy well but being so boisterous, he does frighten her sometimes.