The Cat enjoyed the comings and goings of the Garden Family and Visiting Cats. Maybe she wasn’t getting out and about into the fields as she had when she was younger, but there was plenty of activity in the garden to keep her interested.

The Cat had never been a ‘cuddly’ cat (a scenario which had always been highly unlikely as it had taken three years before she allowed us even to touch her) – in fact there had been times when she seemed quite aloof with her kittens, but that didn’t mean that she didn’t like to be in middle of things. Whether she sought out her family and close friends or whether they gravitated to her in her role as mother, grandmother and matriarch, we’ll never know. But either way, she had plenty of company and she was never alone.

Her oldest daughter Whitefur was similar in character – staunchly independent, coming and going as she pleased. And yet she returned day after day to the garden, not just for food and water, but to spend time near her mother (see header photo of them enjoying the afternoon sun together outside the garage).

Of Flora’s offspring, Calypso had always been the one who spent the most time with her grandmother. With The Cat’s independent disposition and feral ways, just for her not to chase anyone away who dared to lie close was a huge compliment.

Like her younger sister Calypso, Souci was fond of her grandmother. They would lie close to each other, not necessarily touching, just close enough to feel each other’s presence without invading each other’s space.

This particular spring, The Cat had become a grandmother again. She was happy to lie near Flora and the kittens, never interfering, but just enjoying being close.

She also sought out Cheese and her kittens for company (maybe because Souci was helping Cheese raise her family). Cheese and The Cat’s daughter Flora were also close so maybe The Cat felt they were ‘alsmot’ family.

With Cheese’s mother Visitor no longer around, kitten Oregano was delighted to have an adoptive grandma and would sit contentedly next to The Cat, proud to be close to her.