This so nearly wasn't a Happy Ending! So many of our
cats lose their homes because of restrictions on their owner's accommodation
problems. It must be awful to be in a position of having to choose between your
home and your pet! |
Just a quick
message to say that Harry and Tabs (originally Casper and
Tabatha) have now settled into their new home. I actually got the duo from Foal
Farm nearly two years ago but was in danger of losing them when I had to move
out of my flat last year. Luckily I found a ground floor flat with a garden -
phew! Harry has always been a real softy but it's taken all this time for Tabs
to relax after a moving home again. She has finally deemed us worthy to bestow
actual physical affection on her... although she still hisses at us now and
then. The photos I have attached are a very true representation of them - Harry
ready for his cuddles, Tabs happy to hide away behind the garden
hedge. |
contd.
He is
not unlike Jason from Big Brother. He spends his days endlessly grooming his
beautiful coat, eating and doing lots and lots of sleeping. (In his former life
he was also apparently a bit of a bully, but we haven't seen this side of him.)
He is not a lap cat, although will occasionally relent and lower himself to
being a 'normal' cat, but most of the time would prefer to lie on the sofa
beside you or - his favourite place - on the landing, where he can prop himself
up against the banisters. He is always affectionate, although more so at
feeding times, and will give you the occasional bite if you try to stroke his
tummy. |
We knew as soon as
we saw this big, handsome cat that he was going to be coming home with us, and,
two months on, we are sure that he was the right choice. Weighing in at 7.4kg
(about 16lbs), Boysie is more dog than cat-sized. The vet - where he
went earlier on today for his boosters - was rather shocked at his weight and
suggested we put him on a diet. Although he did admit that Boysie has a large
frame and because of his long coat was unable to tell how overweight he is.
Boysie maintains, "I'm not fat, I'm fluffy". Despite being so large, the boy
can move. His cumbersome appearance disguises the fact that he's actually a
pretty good footballer - it's as if the screwed up piece of paper is glued to
his feet as he propels himself effortlessly over the wooden floor pitch. His
size also hides the fact that in some ways he is quite timid, especially when
it comes to using the catflap. It is unclear whether he either a) sees his
reflection in it and gets scared (hence the hesitant tapping at it) or b) is
too damn lazy to open it himself and so makes us feel sorry for him by looking
scared so that we open the door for him or c) that he doesn't want to lower
himself to use his catflap and would rather use the door like everyone else.
|
Miss Kitty, you may recall, was
brought in as a feral cat - under threat of being put to sleep as there was
nowhere for her to go! She was terrified, as was Piglet, so we put them
together for comfort. We were over the moon when a young couple offered them a
home. Read on and see how they have turned out! |
When we
last wrote, they were about to venture into the garden to explore. Both had
settled in well but Miss Kitty was far more settled than Charlie,
enjoying plenty of fuss, while Charlie was more apprehensive about being
stroked; only allowing us to stroke him when he was about to be fed. Miss Kitty
enjoys as much fuss as she can get, sleeping with us on the end of our bed!
Charlie sleeps in the small bedroom on the pillow but does enjoy a lot more
attention. During the day, both cats stay out exploring the surrounding
gardens. They are territorial and chase neighbouring cats out of our garden.
The collars we bought for them have been self removed and now we jingle one of
the bells to signal we are about to put food down – they generally both
come running in within 5-10 minutes! They also like a bit of rough and tumble
together, each being able to hold their own. Tthey both use the scratching post
or the door mat just inside the front door. We really are pleased with the progress they have made and
they certainly give us a lot of pleasure. They both seem very contented with
their home which is the most important thing of all. |
I think
this letter says all that needs saying! |
We adopted
Tobias in May. He was quite nervous when he came home and his favourite
place for the first couple of weeks was behind the kitchen sink. He's now
settled in really well and spends his time resting either on the sofa, the bed,
or in the garden. His other favourite occupation is hanging around his food
bowl in the hope that we've forgotten that he's already been fed - he loves his
food! He's really affectionate, extremely gentle and great with Laura, who is
8, and all of her friends, and has not once hissed or scratched. We're getting
used to being covered in a layer of white fur now, and love having him around.
He has turned into a lovely - and much cleaner! - cat and we adore him. He is
really cute and has made a home for himself here. |