Carrying on with the theme of kittens who took after their fathers, Raven was born to Dawn in the fields. He and littermates Swallow, Linnet and Cetti, were brought to The Cat’s garden for weaning.

These six photos of Raven (one from each of his first six months in the garden), and one photo showing him with his father, should allay any doubts there may have been over who his father was!

Month 1 – Dawn made a home for her family behind these plastic barrels. The kittens had all arrived with a nasty virus, but luckily for Raven, he was not as badly affected as his siblings.

Month 2 – Raven’s coat was fluffier than his littermates’; despite he and Cetti both being male, it was Raven who seemed to be the protector of his mother, Dawn, while Cetti was more interested in tussling with the other kittens in the garden and climbing the olive tree.

Month 3 – Raven had reached the growing-like-a-weed phase, his rangy appearance accentuated by the fact that it was the summer months and his fur was thinner.

Month 4 – Raven had found his voice. He remained a chatty cat, a major trip hazard, and all-round eccentric character throughout his life.

Month 5 – as we headed out of the height of the summer, Raven’s coat began to thicken up, although he was still as skinny as ever underneath.

Month 6 – it was becoming more and more obvious that Raven’s father was BBC, a Visiting Cat from across the fields who was also black and fluffy.

As Raven matured, it became increasingly difficult to tell father and son apart.

BBC was a good father, regularly spending time with his son when he visited the garden to eat.