During twelve days from the end of July to early August, there was a third punishing heatwave. Unfortunately it was accompanied by a virus which tore through the cat community. Whatever it was, it was merciless. Not a single cat who was symptomatic recovered. It took only three days; on the first day they seemed under the weather. Day two they were withdrawn and refused to eat. And on the third day, they passed away. Both kittens and adults were affected, although those who had underlying health conditions were of course more vulnerable.

We lost Mini’s kittens Bubble and Squeak, all of the kittens who Souci and Cheese were raising (who were named Typhoon, Sonar, Lucky, Trio, Wotzit, Echo, Wizzit and Radar), Cracker’s son Mr T, Pippin’s son Pascal, Dawn’s son Cetti, Phantom’s daughter Mohi, and adults Souci, Lychee and Gypsy.

And yet life had to continue; there were cats who needed food and water and continuing medical care, and there were new families in the fields who would soon need weaning. And for those who had not contracted the virus, it was (almost) life as usual – they were feral cats and survival was the name of the game.

Flora and her kittens had been spared; girls Swift (calico) and Satsuma (the little orange-and-white runt) continued with their lives as usual. Satsuma was still small compared to the others, but she seemed happy and healthy. Together with their brother Checkers and Dandy Grey (pictured on the header photo), they were the biggest family group of the garden.

While Flora’s family had been untouched by the virus, two of the other resident Garden Family groups had lost members. We had lost Pippin’s son (Flora’s grandson) Pascal although his brother Pascha had been spared. It was hard to know why some had survived and others not, but Pascha was a strong boy and big for his age, and seemed determined to live life for two despite his impaired vision.

And Dawn’s family had lost Cetti; there was no reason as to why he had succumbed and yet his sister Linnet and brother Raven had been spared. Cetti had been the biggest and boldest of the litter, the dominant male even from a young age, the strongest and most confident, and yet he had been the one to be taken. Linnet (who was also partially sighted) and Raven continued with their everyday lives, growing and maturing as the weeks passed.

The next generation was sadly depleted, but still a big presence in the garden bringing hope for the future.