Nine Lives Cat Rescue

Registered National Charity 1051280
Dedicated to rescuing, caring for and re-homing cats in Romsey, Winchester and Southampton

Cat Stories

MEMORIES OF:

Micki

I am a regular subscriber to 'Paws for Thought' and an owner of one of Sue's rescued cats, or was. I had Micki from Sue in 2003 and he was a handful from the beginning, but in time he became a lovely cat and my mate. I rang Sue regularly in the first few months that I had him. He was a long haired silver tabby. Unfortunately his life was cut short by thyroid disease/cancer and he died recently. He was only 6 years old and I would like Micki mentioned in the next edition of the magazine if possible as a tribute to him and where he began his life as a domestic cat.

Rachael Thompson

Mel

Just to let you know that we have had to part with Mel whose quality of life had deteriorated significantly in November. We believe he was about 17 years old.

We adopted Mel (and Charlie) from Nine Lives in early summer 1996 when he was about six. Mel was always an interesting character, tending to look grumpy at the best of times. He was a most obstinate cat and definitely would have no nonsense from our two dogs.
He loved the sun and would sit anywhere that he could absorb the sun rays. His ability to block doorways, especially between the hall and dining room was most entertaining. He would sit and glare at the dogs, defying them to pass him and would lash out with a paw if they did to show who was boss!

Earlier in 2007 Mel was diagnosed with a cancerous growth in his left shoulder. Anti-inflammatory and painkilling drops were prescribed. He took this in his stride through the summer and was able to lead a normal life. But the tumour grew and increasingly made walking difficult, although Mel adapted well and could still jump onto chairs and settees until a few weeks before he died. He was also clean in the bungalow and only in the last month did we have to provide a dirt tray.

We will miss him terribly and he now resides in a grave at the bottom of the garden near Smokey the cat and our previous dogs.

John & Sara Bristow

Floyd

It was a Monday in November 1997 and my Colleague and I were discussing what we had done over the weekend. I had been trying to sort stuff for the house we were buying, my friend, Pat, had been fundraising with a charity called Nine Lives.

Pat told me of a beautiful Domestic Long Hair (DLH) grey tom, found as a stray on Burgess Rd. She confessed that had her husband let her she would have taken him home, but alas it was not to be. I immediately piped up, and said this is fate...I love DLH cats and grey is a favourite colour! Where do I go?

A couple of days later I met Floyd (Smokey to Nine Lives)! He was so handsome! Knowing I was already under his spell, he headed straight for my husband and made 'eyes' and jumped on his lap. That was it - he was ours!

Over the years we found out that his charms had enchanted the Close. He'd pop in and see Maggie next door to watch Snooker & No. 27 were good for a fuss on a lazy summer's day, whilst Mom and Dad were at work. However, as soon as he heard our cars he was home. Floyd was the purrrfect companion, although thoroughly spoilt, we respected each other and we never stepped over the line. He knew he was going to get a big kiss when I got home, I knew if he pushed to be let go, I'd put him down.

Nearly exactly 10 years on, I have lost my beloved Floyd to heart disease. Whilst the hole he's left can never be replaced, I truly believe that I am a better person thanks to my 'Little Man'. I am grateful for every day that we got to share. None of this would have been possible without the fantastic work of Nine Lives Cat Rescue and I wanted to share how the compassion of many can affect the few.

Dawn Grimley-Capell, Chandlers Ford

Please feel free to E-mail any enquiries to us: cats@nine-lives.org.uk

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