I must try show you pics of my two almost 14yr olds. One's a Tortie with a huge attitude. Her name’s Missy Squeak (but don’t ask). She chases all the dogs in the neighbourhood and keeps my little jack in order (jack's a dog, by the way!). Her brother is a huge black and white Tomcat, called Oscar. His markings are perfect; identical to the Felix advert. He's bigger than my Jack (that's the dog again!) but He’s a big softie.... until he's out fighting his patch. He's such a softie, once I blew off (only once, mind you), poor Oscar got such a fright he almost jumped out the window! That's true.
I watched my two being born in this flat. Only two were born. The Mother was an undernourished stray, Elsie. She was a beautiful longhaired Tortie, with a mean attitude. But, admittedly, she was never a good mother and often abandoned me to look after 'the children'! I actually took a lot of time off work, which colleagues aptly named ‘Kitternity Leave!! Anyway, as soon as the kittens turned 6 weeks, Mummy Elsie moved downstairs to my neighbours. Left Daddy 'Cat' here (figuratively speaking, of course) to rock the cradle.... a single parent!! -_)
A short time after the kittens came along, I had my first breakdown. I truly believe God works in mysterious ways; if it wasn’t for the huge responsibility and love I had for these two little gremlins from hell, I could never have lifted my head from the pillow to fulfil my ‘cat duties’. Sometimes, I’d immediately go back to bed, I slept for hours, but slowly those little blighters nursed me back to health. It is my first experience of cats and, believe me, I learned very fast who’s in charge. _)(
Sorry, Michael, for hijacking your page… just felt compelled to share my gremlins story