Hello all! I found your fantastic site last night, and having had a bit of a blub on the Rainbow Bridge thread, I thought I ought to introduce myself and the Furbabies properly!
My name is Verity, and I live in Yorkshire with my boyfriend, and our 'family'- three cats, three hens, five degus, a rabbit, a guinea pig and a hamster. Our cats are our lives.... the first thing we see to in the morning, and the last thing at night... and most of what happens in between. We are both musicians, and also both teach.
Top of the tree is Smudge, a tuxedo female. She really wears the furry trousers in this place, and quickly puts the boys (and us!) in our place! She is a total Daddy's girl, and was a rescue cat. She went to the West Oxford Animal Rescue (we lived down South for a year) because her mummy and daddy were moving away. The rescue lady was sceptical to say the least, and we know think that it was Smudge's unique toilet habits that led to her not being wanted. We have had her for 4 years now.
Then comes black Sam, a former stray who would wait until we went out, let himself in through the cat flap, and pretty much live in our house... until we would arrive home, when he would make for the cat flap and scarper! It took me months to get close to him and gain his trust... which we rewarded by getting him cleaned up, fed up, and neutered! He then escaped out of the bathroom window, and disappeared for two weeks. He came back, and hasn't gone far from the house now for three years. Sam's only vices are the coffee table (which appears to require regular punishment) and the fact that he can't leave any food in a dish... a throwback from his stray days, I would guess.
Finally, is our new rescue baby, white and tabby Toby, who has been with us for three days, and who has been rarely seen during that time! He is currently living under the bed, but does wander out occasionally... especially to visit the hamster... He won't yet be touched, but we have lots of time and love to give him. I will start another thread about Toby, because I need some advice!
I am priviledged to have known so many wonderful cats... we lost our beautiful George to an RTA last weekend, and though I'm finding it immensely hard to come with, our three others keep me busy, and pile on the love.
This website is great, and I look forward to meeting you all!
Verity x
