Baxter - He was a rescue cat and is quite nervous as a result of his previous owner’s boyfriend mistreating him badly. He can be quite grumpy and aloof; not too keen on the company of other cats, apart from little Mina. He prefers to spend his days relaxing and sleeping wherever he can find a cosy spot.

Mina - We had Mina from when she was a little kitten, a precocious and very territorial half-Burmese. Despite her small size she was never afraid to keep all the “boys” in their place with a sharp slap around the face with one of her paws! We sadly lost Mina to old age in June of this year.

Spike - Sadly died on 9th January 2005 suddenly after a short illness. He was the much loved “baby” of the family and is very much missed by us all. He was full of life and a happy-go-lucky little soul, all he wanted to do was have fun and cause mischief, chase leaves and catch mice. It was a great shock to lose him and he left a great hole in our lives.

Charlie - Came to us as a stray about 11 years ago; he was already a middle aged cat then, a real toughy off the streets, but from the moment we took him in he was a big “softie” and he was very particularly “my” cat. He just adored sitting on my lap for a cuddle and was not too happy about having beads for competition. In recent months he had developed an arthritic back leg which slowed him down a bit, but did not stop him enjoying life until right up to the very end. We lost him finally to the effects of old age (he was 20 years old) on 18th October 2005. He died gently and peacefully with those who loved him with him to the end. (These photos were taken just three days before his death). We all miss him very much.

If it should be that I grow weak
And pain should keep me from my sleep.
Then you must do what must be done,
For this last battle cannot be won.

You will be sad, I understand,
Don’t let your grief then stay your hand.
For this day more than all the rest,
Your love for me must stand the test.

We’ve had so many happy years,
What is to come can hold no fears.
You’d not want me to suffer so.
The time has come, please let me go.

Take me where my needs they’ll tend
And please stay with me until the end.
Hold me firm and speak to me,
Until my eyes no longer see.

I know in time that you will see,
The kindness that you did for me.
Although my tail its last has waved,
From pain and suffering I’ve been saved.

Please do not grieve it must be you
Who had this painful thing to do.
We’ve been so close, we two, these years.
Don’t let your heart hold back its tears.

If It Should Be (Anonymous)

Tabby - Decided he would like to stop being a stray, thank you, and move in with us - knew we were a soft touch as far as animals go! He visited us for about a year on and off before finally moving in permanently, by which time we had got so used to just calling him Tabby Cat, that the name stuck. He is very much a lap cat.