Ten photos that helped us discover the true identity of Pikabu – something that still makes the humans smile.

1. A new Visiting Cat was spotted, staring through the window and bobbing his head as though he was playing hide-and-seek. We assumed he was a new visitor from the fields, possibly fascinated by human movement indoors.

2. But soon we realised that he was used to human contact, and really quite an affectionate cat. We named him Pikabu (peek-a-boo) after his head-bobbing antics on the first day – every cat deserves a name.

3. Pikabu was blessed with beautiful markings; extravagant swirls, wide stripes and bold patterns.

4. He was also blessed with a hearty appetite and was happy to eat whatever was on offer, wet food, dry food, budget tins – anything.

5. Pikabu’s favourite place was on the wall opposite the window. The afternoon sun warmed the wall each day and he luxuriated in the gentle warmth from the limestone blocks – it was the outdoor equivalent of a radiator hammock.

6. He was quite relaxed, napping on the wall until the front door opened and food and cuddles appeared.
(At this point it is compulsory to say ‘bi-i-i-i-g stretch’ at least twice, out loud ☺️)

7. The wall was a good vantage point from which to keep an eye on the Visiting Cats who came to eat in the front path at dusk…

8. …and watch over the comings and goings in the fields at sundown.

9. And then one day we noticed Pikabu had a clouded left eye and we realised he was partially sighted. It explained the head-bobbing as he looked through the window, and the quizzical staring for which he was known…

10. …and the penny dropped. It had taken a while. In fact, it had taken many, many bowls of food before we realised that Pikabu was the rescue cat who lived at the pet shop up the road – the same pet shop where, ironically, we bought the food that Pikabu ate in our front path. The food that Pikabu’s human said he didn’t like and refused to touch when he was at home.

Another mystery solved, another cat fed, another story told.