Having regular food and water, shelter and companionship suited The Cat. She probably didn’t realise it, but she had come a long way from the leggy tortoiseshell girl who was living in the garden and the fields when the humans first arrived.

She looked healthy, she was more confident around the humans (although not with any other people), and she was definitely enjoying being the matriarch of her garden.

As the boss, The Cat liked to be in a superior position. This disused birdbath was perfect and, with her sitting happily in it surveying the drive and Number One Son Ana curled up in a plant pot at ground level, siesta time had a content and peaceful air.

After two or three years, she started to grow a winter coat complete with an impressive ruff, and we were surprised to see how thick it was. But underneath it all, she was still as slender as ever.


It was good to see her flourishing, good to think that we were making a difference.