Cats (Past and Present)
As pets I've no disliking for dogs, but cats appeal to me because, unlike dogs, they don't need to be taken out in all weathers to be exercised! Domestic cats are very individual creatures who know what they want - a secure, comfortable and interesting life - and how to get it. As a former friend once observed, you never own a cat. If you give it a good home it'll stay with you, but if it gets a better offer it'll 'pack its bags' and move on.
)
Left to right Candy, Cyril, Belle, Benjy, Benson. It took a lot of patient encouragement to socialise five cats to this extent, but food is a powerful distraction to territorial tendencies!
Belle and Candy joined me in summer 1987 as kittens. I wanted two so that they would be company for each other while I was away at work and they were especially close, as sisters from the same litter. Candy unfortunately lost her left eye in late 1999 from an infection which failed to respond to treatment, and sadly, Belle died in the summer of 2003.
Benjy and Benson joined us in December 1998. They belonged to a work colleague whose partner was seriously allergic to cats and they were mainly living outdoors with no shelter available. With winter arriving we agreed that I would take them over from her. Sadly Benjy died in the spring of 2003.
Cyril had been my father's cat and he joined us when my father became terminally ill in December 2000. Sadly Cyril died in autumn 2002.
Click on the images to enlarge them.
) Belle and Candy as kittens, recovering from a hard day's play |
) Belle as a young cat |
) Candy as a young cat |
) Two's company - Benjy and Benson relaxing together. |
) Benjy on guard duty, looking after an amateur radio trophy. |
) Change of shift - Benson looking after the trophy. |
) Candy keeping an eye on her territory on a summer day. |
) Cyril keeping cool on a summer day. |
) Belle relaxing in the garden on a summer day. |
) I'm sure there was a fish there just now! The family cat at Old Coulsdon c. 1970 |
) Please Sir, I want some more - attention, that is. |
) Charlie relaxing in the autumn sunshine. |
Candy sadly died in October 2006, aged 19 1/2 years, leaving just Benson. To give him company, in November 2006 we took on a 5 year old cat that needed rehoming, Charlie.