My childhood in cats

The first cat I remember was a cheeky tabby. I called her Bobby after my grandfather, even though she was a girl. "Oh well," said mum "It can be short for Roberta."

The second cat I remember was a fine looking tortoiseshell called Kate. Kate was Bobby's sister. They fought like cats and...er...well like cats I suppose.

The third cat I remember was an aggressive, smoky coloured cat called, quite originally, Smoky. Smoky often sat on the top of the TV with her tail hanging down over the picture. If anyone tried to move her she was extraordinarily defensive.

The fourth cat, Tymmy, was my very own pet. I had to pay for his cat food out of my pocket money. He was slim and ginger haired and miawoed like a simese. He choked to death in a house fire on Christmas Eve. I was eleven years old. It was devastating.

My fifth cat was Tyger, a stripey tortoiseshell. But I had a Tymmy shaped hole in my heart and could not love Tyger as much as I wanted to. So Tyger ran away.

Now please give a big round of applause to my parents for allowing me the opportunity of living with cats.

Thank God it wasn't cancer

Hi Everyone

Today was a very emotional day for me. My beautiful cat Jessie (pictured) has had lumps under her chin for over a month now. They hadn't cleared up with medication and she had begun to scratch at them. I was told it could be cancer.

I went to my classes as normal but, at the back of my mind, there was this fear. As the day progressed it grew worse. Luckily it was a really full day so I didn't have enough time to have a full blown panic attack but I was getting close - my heart was beating fast and I had to control my breathing. And, of course, I prayed. Not just once, oh no, I prayed every few minutes.

My friend Tony took Jessie and I to the vet. Once there I was ushered into the consultation room. I was there, alone with Jessie, for about ten minutes. I prayed and did deep breathing exercises the whole time.

The vet, a young Chinese woman, was very sympathetic. She cuddled Jessie to calm her down and looked at the lumps. She said she would show Jessie to the skin specialist. I was alone in the room - more prayer and breathing.

When she re-entered with Jessie in her arms she said "I've got good news." The good news is that Jessie has cat acne which can be treated with antibiotics and a shampoo. I felt my body go limp. Thank you God!

I came home expecting to cuddle up to Jessie in celebration. But she wasn't having that. She sprinted out the door and hid in the bushes. I had to chase her for over an hour!

Jessie is now inside and calm and well.

Thank you to everyone who prayed.

God Bless

Amber

Jessie goes to the vet

Hi Everyone

Yesterday I took Jessie to the vet because she has a scabby growth under her chin.

I thought it was probably a cyst.

The vet said there were 3 possibilities - 1) it is just an infection and will clear up with anti biotics and anti inflammatories. She gave me both of these to give to Jessie. 2) It is a cyst and 3) it is cancer.

I am very worried about possibility 3. So worried that I took valium yesterday so I could sleep off my emotions.

I have only had Jessie for a few months and she has fast become my best friend. The thought of losing her cuts deep.

Please pray for me an Jessie about this - that Jessie will recover and that I can deal with my emotions a bit better.

God Bless

Amber

Guest post by Jessie the Cat

Hi Everyone

My name is Jessie and, as you can see, I am a very good looking female cat. As I am desexed all you male cats can look but not touch.

On January 15 2009 Amber became my human. I chose her because she cuddled me a lot when she came to the cat centre and because she didn't mind me hissing at all the other cats so I could have her all too myself. I am a jealous cat!

For the last two months I have been training Amber in how to meet my needs. She's doing OK but I don't get enough 'outside' time. Today I managed to escape and I went under the house - Amber can't get into the 'under the house bit' because it's too small. Yay! I came out with lots of cobwebs on my beautiful face though. Then I went to the big park next door and Amber came and got me.

Food is good here though. Today Amber gave me some leftover stew. It was very yummy. I purred as I ate it. I also got my usual canned food and some dry food. I am getting used to the dry food now. At first I refused to eat it.

I also like the computer. As you can see sitting on the laptop case is one of my favourite places. I also like walking on the keyboard. Amber doesn't like me doing that though.

I have met some of Amber's friends. My favourites were Heather and Kerri but they were all OK. None of them were cruel to me.

The best thing about Amber is she's very affectionate. I get lots of cuddles and pats. I like that usually. And I get to snuggle up on the bed at night time. I sit on Amber's side and purr.

So, life is good, but would be better if I got more 'outside time'.

Thank you for reading my post. I know it's good and I'm beautiful.

Jessie

Jessie's first week

As you can see Jessie has adjusted well to her new home and her new human.

The first day was difficult as Jessie refused to eat and spent all day sniffing at every crevice of the flat.

After that it was plainer sailing. Jessie ate her food and snuggled up to me on the bed.

She also likes sitting on the laptop case and, as a result, the laptop case is furry.

She is cautious with my friends and does more sussing out than Kaffy did but she really likes my friend Heather who, I think, has a way with animals.

I feel I have bonded well with Jessie and feel that she will be a permanent pet.

I haven't yet let her outside and won't until there is some chicken wire on the gate to stop her running on the road and meeting the same fate as Kaffy.

I look forward to further time with Jessie.

God Bless you all

Amber

My new cat - Jessie

Hi Everyone - here is the latest addition to my household, Jessie the tabby cat.

Jessica is a four year old, female tabby cat.

I don't believe I chose her - she chose me. As soon as I walked into her room at the Hobart Cat Centre she fought her way to the front to smooch and chased and growled at any other cats in her way. I thought to myself "That's my cat."

She has been very actively familiarising herself with her new home. This has involved wandering into every crevice and sniffing even the most odourless of objects.

She is a bit like Kaffy but she doesn't eat as much and she has bigger eyes - I don't know if you can see from the photo but they are really quite big.

I look forward to getting to know Jessie in the days, weeks, months and years to come.

God Bless you all.

Amber

In Memory of Kafka (Kaffy) Meredith

As most of you are probably aware my beloved cat Kaffy was run over by a car and died last Tuesday. I was devastated. We had the funeral yesterday and that gave me some relief and a sense of closure.

This quote sums up how I felt about Kaffy: "To others she may seem just a common little moggy, but to me she is my friend, confidante and comfort." Author Unknown.

Kaffy was a dear companion, a comfort in my distress and a friend always. I loved Kaffy dearly and spent many hours cuddling her and enjoying her company. She was calm, friendly and affectionate and always made my friends and family welcome. Many non-cat lovers - such as my friends Melonie Smith and Yvonne Wilkins - changed their minds when they met Kaffy. She will be sadly missed by many people.

I have placed a cat ornament and plastic flowers in the garden in memory of her. These are pictured.

My thanks go to all the people who helped me look after Kaffy - especially Rohan and Anthea, my stepmother Merridy, Tracey, Debbie and Tony and Kate.

My thanks also goes to all those who attended the funeral - Fiona, Kerri, Kate, Edwina, Heather, Yvonne and Owen.

After advice by various people I intend getting a new, fully grown cat in late January.

In the meantime I have my memories of a truly remarkable and exceptionally loving friend and companion.

God Bless you all.

Amber

The most beautiful cat in the world

"A cat will make itself the companion of your hours of work, of loneliness, or of sadness." Theophile Gautier.

Next year marks the tenth year of Kafka ''Kaffy'' Meredith and the sixth year since I became her servant.

I have not been a very good servant and often other people have had to help me care for her. Thankfully she has not been

taken by the RSPCA.

Kaffy has, however, been a wonderful master. If I am sad she cuddles me. If she needs food or water she lets me know. And visitors to the house are always made welcome.

Kaffy loves people. She is not discriminating at all - any available lap will soon be taken. She is affectionate and easy going.

So this is a public thank you to Kaffy herself for being easy to live with and compassionate and to all those people who helped me take care of her properly.

God Bless

Amber