Mindy

Last Thursday, 15th March, our dear little cat Mindy died suddenly. It happened super quickly and she probably didn't know what was happening and had no time to be frightened. When I found her, on the bedroom floor, she looked peaceful and her pose was relaxed.

We miss her terribly. She was sweet, affectionate and good-natured. Perhaps the gentlest and cuddliest cat we've ever had. We adore her surviving brothers, Mork, Felix and Prince, but they are very different personalities, so without Mindy there's a gap.

A week on, the pain of her loss is beginning to ease a little. It's still keen, but we're beginning to function again, and hopefully, before long, we'll be in a position to remember the good times with little Min, rather than dwell on the fact she isn't here any more.

In the end, the joy of living with her for five years far out balances the sorrow we're feeling now. Like our other beloved feline friends we've shared our lives with, she enriched us.

RIP MINDY

Mork and 'Boss'

Our lad Mork is a bit under the weather at the moment. It's a combo of a recurring cough, caused by a viral thing he caught from his mum, originally, and a sore tooth that the vet discovered on examining him. He's had a jab for the cough, and when that settles down he'll be back to the vet's next week, for a dental. He's not too bad in himself, just a bit under par and not quite his usual wacky self.

Last night, I couldn't sleep very well, because I was concerned about him, so I fell to thinking quite a bit about The Boss's Secret. I think I've figured out what at least one of his secrets might be, but in many ways, he's a man of mystery, so he might have a few! I've also realised that the 'template' I had for him wasn't working, so I've switched to a new one. One of the things about Lawrence is that he's an older man. I seem to quite like writing about those, for instance, John Smith in The Accidental Trilogy was 20 years older than his lover, Lizzie. The age dynamic is fairly similar in 'Boss', although unlike John, Lawrence has prematurely white hair. And it's not quite as easy to find 'templates' for that. But as luck would have it, I've happened upon another hunk who has at least some white hair, and picturing Lawrence has him is increasing my enthusiasm for the story!

I won't say who the template is, because he's a rather unlikely one, and it's only in some photos and clips that he fits the bill. ;)

Mork and Mindy update

It's about three months now, since Mork and Mindy came to live with us... and here's a shot of Mindy asleep on my best dressing gown, on the bed, as an example of just how relaxed they are. :)

These two adorable cats have really settled in now, and we can tell that they're happy with us. They've bloomed now they live in a catcentric home, and are becoming more and more confident with every day that passes. In the last few days, they've passed another milestone, and have begun to go outside, via the cat flap and explore the area of the garden and its surroundings. They don't tend to stay out long, or go far, but I think the fact that they are free to come and go now has only added to their self assurance.

Surprisingly, Mindy is the bolder of the two. At first it seemed as if Mork, the big lad, was the most daring, but now it's become apparent that his smaller, daintier sister has got more 'bottle'. But Mork is following her lead... and sometimes he likes to assert himself by chasing her around a bit. She takes no notice though, or just chases him back if he gets too uppity. At most times they're simply devoted to each other, and to see them snuggled up and grooming each other just melts our hearts.

Mork and Mindy - Week 3

Aren't they the most gorgeous duo you've ever seen?

Mork [R] and Mindy [L] are starting to settle in quite well now, after three weeks with us. They both have times when they hide a bit, but they spend much, much more time out and about now, and love to socialise with us. They enjoy their food, and they love to be fussed and stroked. Once they're relaxed and feeling sure of themselves, they're the most affectionate cats we've ever had, and their devotion to each other is just adorable.

Mork has a little bit of a cough at the moment, but he's very cheerful in himself and eating lots. We're seeing the vet with him, so I'm confident that'll clear up with treatment, and he'll be A1 again shortly. When that's sorted out, the next adventure for this pair is being introduced to the outdoors. They've been used to going out in the past, but we've kept them in thus far, to allow them to bond with us. The catflap will be a new phenomenon for them, as they've been used to having a window left open to get in and out... but they're both smart kitties, who are quick on the uptake, so I'm sure they'll quickly suss out the flap.

Mork and Mindy - week 1

It's a week now, since Mork and Mindy arrived, and although progress is slower than we expected, they're starting to settle in a bit now, and become happy in their new home.

These two are very timid cats, who've had some disruption in their lives in the last eighteen months or so, which means it was never going to be easy for them to adapt to the biggest disruption yet, ie. to be suddenly dropped into a strange house, with unknown people, away from everything and everybody that was familiar to them. But, we're starting to turn corners now. At first, they would not come out from their hiding place beneath the settee when either of us were around... but gradually we're starting to see more of them, mostly in the hours of darkness in the evening and in the morning before it gets light. And when we do see them, and they come to us at quiet settled times, they are the most adorably affectionate pair. They love attention and fussing and both have incredibly loud purrs. They will also get on the bed at night now too, especially Mindy, who seems to have taken to me during after hours time. 

Even though I think it will be a while before they fully settle, I feel that they're going to be enormously rewarding cats and wonderful companions. Himself and I already dote on them completely.

MINDY

MORK

Sorry the pix aren't very clear, but hopefully we'll be able to capture better, much sharper images of this handsome pair when they spend more time out and about in full daylight.

We are cat people again...

I'm thrilled to present the two gorgeous new cats who've just come to live with us. They're Mork [L] and Mindy [R] and they're a brother and sister, who we've adopted from someone who can't keep them any more. 

They're very nervous, unsure of themselves and shy at the moment, as is natural. Mindy has taken refuge behind the washing machine for the time being, and Mork is staying put in the basket. But I'm sure they'll relax before long, and begin to explore their new home, and feel comfortable. I think it'll be an easier acclimatisation for them, because they're together, and each has the reassurance of their constant, known companion.

The fact that they are devoted to each other is brand new for us, as all our previous cats have come to us at different times, and have never really got beyond the stage of being 'used to' each other, and tolerating each other. To have a couple of cats who are real soul mates is a novelty, and absolutely delightful!

Look out for lots more photos as they get used to us and come out to investigate the house.