William
I had been running loose for the first year and a half of my life prior to being rescue by Cats Protection and was named William after Will Young, Rumour has it that I was being fed by some students in Reigate.
In early March 2002 I appeared in "The Post" newspaper in a bid to find me a home but there were concerns about me behaviour - apparently I loved a good fight and would have to placed in a household without any other animals or children. My tough 'ginger nut' image was softened by the other description of me as being affectionate and simply longing for love.
On March 17th 2002 I first met my adoptive human mum who collected me from Angela Neale's shelter near Dorking. I gave my mum a hard time for the first week or so, regularly biting, scratching and hissing at her. I hated visitors and would hide or run away.
Over time I mellowed and began to trust people. I have also become very attached to my mum. If I'm outside and she calls me I come bounding in. When my mum goes out I can be found sitting on the upstairs windowsill waiting for her. When she first got me mum was insistent that I would not be allowed on the bed. That lasted all of a couple of weeks! I can be found snuggling up to mum every night now, purring loudly.
My interests include sleeping, eating, catching mice and birds and watching wildlife programmes on TV. I am partial to scratching my mum's feet while she asleep and ruining her favourite garden plants. One of my more unusual quirks is my penchant for curry - probably a throw-back to my student days! My dislikes are trips to the vet, the hoover and dustmen!
Five years after being adopted my personality is unrecognisable. I am very grateful to Cats Protection for giving me a chance in life and to my mum who has given me so much love and affection. Mum describes me as 'her boy' and I am the love of her life.
My adoption date of March 17th is unforgettable because it's also St. Patricks Day - an excellent excuse for a double celebration!
Abbey and Purr
Abby and Purr came to live with us last September and are mother and daughter aged 11 and 10 respectively.
They are probably the most adorable an loving cats we have looked after in more than 25 years!
Adopting older cats is recommended. They must have had good times and traumatic times and the affection and bonding they are showing is their way of saying a big thank you!
The photo shows that they have reserved places in front of the living room fire!
Billy (now Lily)
We adopted Lily (nee Billy) in October. We had been thinking about adopting a year or so before we took the plunge. After the home check we went to Angela's and Lily was the first cat we saw. It was love at first sight.
When we got her home that first night we were prepared for her to hide away but she did nothing of the sort. She came bounding out of her room and settled on my knee - it was like she had always been with us.
She is a fantastic companion - she loves nothing more than sitting on someone's lap having a stroke. We are in and out of the house with work commitments so Lily has access to the outside world during the day. Given the choice though she would rather be inside with one of us, or sleeping on the sofa in the sun.
We recommend homing an older cat (Lily is 8) to everyone who expresses an interest in cats. A big thank you to Cats Protection for finding us such a wonderful pet.
