Welcome to Tilly

Last week we decided that it was time we welcomed another feline friend into our lives. The house has felt very empty and I haven't been without at least 1 cat around for nearly 40 years!

We knew we would adopt a rescue cat, or maybe 2 cats, as there are so many poor cats in need of a loving home. At first we thought we should have  a pair of kittens so we contacted the Celia Hammond rescue centre in a village not far away. The manager of the centre came round to inspect us and to make sure we were suitable and that the animals would be in a safe environment. After we'd received the all clear we popped along to the centre yesterday for a look at the kittens.

It's a wonderful place with over 100 acres for many of the permanent residents to roam free whilst remaining safe and cared for. The founder of these centres, Celia Hammond, was a top model in the 1960s and since then has devoted herself to rescuing and rehoming, whenever possible, unwanted and feral cats. Most of the cats have come from dreadful homes where they have been either neglected or ill-treated, or both, in and around central London.

When we saw the kittens, although they were gorgeous, we both realised that what we actually wanted was an older cat but unfortunately they didn't have any that were suitable. We spent a while making a fuss of some of the many cats that were wandering around. There was one gorgeous ginger cat who came to see us and he had extra toes on his back paws. Apparently he was one of many poor creatures they rescued who had been part of a cruel experiment to make them grow multiple toes. Poor puss. He was such a lovely boy and lucky to be living in that environment.

Although we were disappointed that we hadn't found a cat there we knew that our perfect little friend would be just waiting for us. On the way home Mike suggested we pop into the local Blue Cross rescue centre which is only 4 miles from home and is where our beautiful pony Kizzy came from many years ago.

We said that we'd like 2 cats, preferably 6 months to 2 years old. They only had 3 black kittens in that age group (did you know that black cats and kittens are difficult to re-home? I didn't) but we went to look at the older cats just in case and after about 6 cats we met Tilly. She'd been in the centre for 3 months, having been rescued from a local family where she was very unhappy. She will be happy to live with other cats if we decide to get another one at a later date.

She melted out hearts and came home with us this morning.

Peeping out

Hello

It's all different

I think I'll hide behind the basket if you don't mind

It's all a bit new and scary just yet!

When we met her she was hiding under a blanket but she soon came out to see us and she really worked her magic. We noticed she had some fur missing on her neck because she'd just had dental treatment and she dribbles like mad. I'm hoping it's just because she's had some teeth out or we'll need to keep a box of tissues nearby at all times!

She's 7 years, 3 months old and I hope we can make the rest of her life much happier.