Well, it’s happened. We have become hopeless ‘Cat Parents’! Our kind are not difficult to spot. Some obvious clues include:
- Social media posts full of photos and videos of cute feline poses and antics (that probably only WE find funny).
- ‘Getaways’ are peppered with declarations of missing the cats!
- Conversations rarely take place without mention of at least one of the cats.
- There’s a pecking order for bedtime sleeping arrangements and us ‘hooman' parents accept our place near the bottom of that order!
There are other, no less common clues of course, but you get the gist?
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Another clue - or does this qualify as a symptom? |
Let’s not forget the dogs of course. We’re dog parents too, and it goes without saying that they are adored. So, you see, it is a pretty hopeless situation. There’s no escape. Perhaps we’re destined to become like those old people in photos; sitting in our wing-backed chair, in front of the fire, with several cats on our lap or around our feet. We're already more than half way there!
Although, Scott would likely disagree!
"Dogs have owners, cats have staff!"
Maya and Nevis are confused when it comes to cat relationships. Suffice to say, they are either running the gauntlet of a recalcitrant Murphy who waits to swipe a paw as they attempt to pass by unscathed, or curtsying to receive ‘nose kisses’ from a far less armed and dangerous Arthur or Phoebe. It doesn't take much to challenge their intelligence and make them stare with cross-eyed uncertainty as to whether a perilous or a welcoming situation might greet them as they make their way across the kitchen floor.
With two dogs and (now) five cats, it’s safe to say that we have spectacularly failed in the promise we made to each other: that we wouldn't replace each fur baby as they passed, thus declaring our freedom to pack a bag and head off for any length of time we chose.
Fate (and evidently our love of animals) obviously had different plans.
And so we spend yet another year wondering if the Christmas Tree will survive!
Saying sad goodbyes
It’s been a year of highs and lows. Without doubt, the lows have been the loss of Rocky, Wilma and Betty.
Rocky, our elder statesman, was put to sleep in January after a long and happy life. Old age and kidney failure took him from us. It was mercifully quick.
Then tragically, not destined to see their second birthdays, we lost Wilma and then Betty just a few weeks apart. You might remember they were our original ‘bin babies’; hand reared from no more than 48 hours old. Wilma lies in eternal sleep in our orchard alongside Rocky. Betty’s fate remains unknown and that's been hard to accept. Not a day goes by when we don’t think of them. Their loss has left a hole in our hearts that will never quite be repaired.
Welcoming new faces into the family
In the midst of loss, life has found a way to bring new blessings into our home (the term "blessings" is occasionally questionable!). Murphy and Mabel, born in a friend’s spare bedroom, somehow wove their way into our lives. While Murphy likes to act the boss he’s easily won over. He’s that proverbial ‘green-eyed monster’ too and muscles in if anyone else is receiving cuddles. His sister Mabel is playful but quick to complain when games get a little too rough for her liking - which is almost immediately! She’s turning into the most loving little soul and adores being fussed.
Arthur and Phoebe, like Wilma and Betty before them, were discovered abandoned by a bin. We estimated them to be about four weeks old at the time. You can thank Scott for the fact they ended up here to join the family. Truth be known, once I’d set eyes on them crying helplessly in that small cardboard box-turned-makeshift pet carrier, my heart simply melted and there was no going back. The same with Maya too. Desperate to replace her bond with Wilma, Maya adopted Arthur and Phoebe as her very own. I guess we’re all suckers for punishment, or heartbreak, or both!
Arthur is growing bigger and stronger by the day and is a worthy opponent for rough boyish bouts with Murphy. We’re not sure he’ll quite make it to Murphy’s stature. The latter is a proper lump, while the former seems to come from more refined stock. Arthur's nickname is “Little Breeches”; named after nearly losing him when he became weak and sickly just after his rescue. Phoebe, Arthur’s sister, while initially growing faster than Arthur, is now the smallest of the lot—she’s the tiniest cat I’ve ever seen! She’s been aptly nicknamed “Diddy Dido.” One day I'm sure she'll succeed in climbing up on to anything higher than knee level. Or, we'll just have to buy her a ladder!
These four newcomers have comical characters that precisely explain the many reasons why cats weave their way into people’s lives: Phoebe has developed a fascination with my bath times and, despite her tiny size, is a bossy little madam and this constantly dents poor Murphy’s machismo. Arthur, on the other hand, is proud of his ability to leap into the fridge the moment the door opens (he knows that’s where we keep the ham!) His 'machismo' is tucked away somewhere as he still likes to climb into bed to sleep between his 'hoomans'.
Mabel you already know is loving and gentle. She prefers to avoid conflict and remains perfectly happy to sit out of most playtimes. Murphy? Well, enough said already.
And then there remains our Aurelia. Oh, our dear, sweet and delightful Aurelia; last, but by no uncertain means least in our line-up of felines. Aurelia felt the loss of Wilma and Betty deeply. It was obvious. She distanced herself from the others at first and we barely saw her, except for mealtimes. But I never had the slightest worry that she would leave home. Because, despite her initial demeanour, when the new kittens started to venture outdoors, Aurelia ‘big-sistered’ them, rounding them up and keeping them from the danger of wandering too far. She might not have been initially keen on them, but she always brought them home.
As has been the case for us and the dogs, Aurelia’s heart has been mended by the appearance of these four newcomers. She’s fully back in the fold and, just as Wilma and Betty were before him, Murphy is now the object of her targeted ‘rough and tumble’ ambushes.
As the year draws to a close, I find myself reflecting on everything that has defined these past twelve months. It’s been a year of love and loss, but also triumph. Through it all the thread of family, both human and furry, has been a constant.
And now for the highlights (well, this IS supposed to be a Christmas blog!)
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See the newlyweds off for their Honeymoon |
Without a doubt, the biggest highlight of the year was the wedding of our eldest son, Daniel, to his beautiful Maria. Watching two such wonderful people pledge their lives to each other was a moment of pure joy, surrounded by family and friends, gathered to celebrate their love in the most perfectly romantic of settings. Two sets of parents (one honorary of course!) watching with immense love, pride (and a few happy tears), these memories will stay forever, etched into our hearts.
Adding to the joy were cherished visits from two mums and an aunt in the summer. It was my mum’s first visit since 2019, and she brought her younger sister for company, who I haven’t seen in a long time. Scott's mum, being a more regular visitor and who's 80th birthday we celebrated this year, returned for two visits.
The icing on the cake for visitors, was meeting up with Susan and David (Brian's family) for a few hours, while their cruise ship docked in Malaga.
The simple pleasure of sharing meals, stories, and laughter together with all of them was a gift we simply could never take for granted.
A personal triumph for me has been regaining my confidence in horse riding. For three glorious months, I shared a sweet and gentle PRE (Pura Raza Española) named Curioso, or “Oz” for short. With his kind demeanour, he reminded me just how much I love being in the saddle. Oz moved back to the coast with his owner, and I’ve since been accepting invitations to ride with new friends made. This is a new chapter in my life that I am still writing.
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Between the ears: Curioso (Oz) |
Looking ahead with love and gratitude
As we approach Christmas, our home feels both familiar and transformed. We acknowledge the ‘lows’ but remain enormously grateful for the ‘highs’.
We send blessings of the season as a whole new family, remembering those we’ve lost while celebrating the love and companionship of those still with us. The fuzzy little faces who graced last year’s Christmas message will never be forgotten, and their spirits remain a part of our lives.
May the coming year bring hope, love, and moments of joy to us all. From our ever-growing (and seemingly evolving) family to yours, we wish you a Merry Christmas and a peaceful New Year.
Much love.
“The best way to spread Christmas cheer is by sharing love with those who make your house a home.” — Elf, The Movie