Dinky had been part of the Garden Family for around three months when Lightning arrived as a single kitten of only a few weeks old. Lightning’s first visit to the garden ended abruptly as The Cat chased him out of the garden at top speed, followed closely by Dinky in hot pursuit (and not wanting to miss anything). But, by the next morning, Dinky had mellowed (maybe he had remembered how The Cat had also chased him out of the garden when he arrived earlier in the year), and he was instrumental in helping us to coax Lightning from his hiding place next to the road, back down into the safety of the garden.

Lightning spent his first week hiding behind a water tank, coming out only at dawn and dusk. But, as he grew more confident and grew bigger, he and Dinky bonded, becoming a lovely (if improbable) duo.

Dinky had only been a few months old when he was dumped, and he still had all the youthful exuberance (and Bengal energy) which made him the ideal playmate for a lively, growing kitten. Maybe Dinky had been originally homed too young and had missed out on the opportunity to play with his family – whatever the reason, he was delighted to have a rumbustious playmate in Lightning.

Out and about in the fields, Dinky and Lightning went their separate ways. But at home in the garden they were always together. When they slept, they were always touching – just the lightest touch sometimes, but just enough to know that each other were there.

In the hot summer months, they sheltered from the sun together, even if it meant sharing the shade. In the photo below you can see Lightning napping in the shade, but look a little closer and you can see that he is lying on top of Dinky’s tail. Their presence gave each other security and the family that they missed.

They were both individually resourceful and intelligent cats, but in very different ways. But when they were together, they chased and fought, they tussled and zoomed – they were both exactly what the other one needed, and that was a best friend and a fur-brother, rolled into one.