It's no good. I'm just going to have to tell my colleagues in Cats' Protection not to send me any more enchanting cats. Why? Because I just cannot help falling in love with them.

My heart - or rather what is left of it after Thalia, Gemma, Sylvia, Abbie, Marnie, Ebony, Megan and Jason came into my life - oh, and my husband - has now been captured by Tanya and Felix (as if, dear readers, you hadn't already guessed.)

Earlier this evening, Tanya gave me a wonderful warm welcome when I took out her supper. As soon as she saw me she came running over to the gate that leads into her enclosure with smiling eyes and a big grin and when I put her bowl down, she made it very clear that it was not food she wanted but me. She affectionately rubbed round my legs and then, when I sat down, stood with her little front feet on my knees, gazed into my eyes, and purred, all the while grinning. Although Tanya has shown affection towards me many times before, tonight she seemed more affectionate than usual and I wondered whether it was because she had appreciated being given a little bit of extra attention on Friday night when she wasn't feeling well after being vaccinated. I know that it is not unusual for cats to feel a little off colour for a few hours after having a vaccination but despite telling myself that by Saturday morning, Tanya would be fine, for peace of mind, I looked in on her several times before going to bed and after making sure that she was warm and comfortable, tried by stroking her, to reassure her that soon all would be well.

I am so glad I did these small things for her because Felix, whom she adores, ignored her. While Tanya lay quietly on a large sheepskin in a box next to a radiator in her chalet, showing little sign of interest in anything other than keeping warm, he was outside. And as soon as he realised that my visits could benefit him as well as his mother, he made sure that they did by encouraging me to play with him,

Sadly, being so much older than Felix and more accustomed than him to sleeping through the best part of the night, my stamina ran out before his did and as I left his enclosure, I wondered for how much longer he would go on chasing ping pong balls.

Much as I love Tanya and Felix, I must , nevertheless, continue searching for a new family for them. And I will know which family is right for them when Cupid's arrows strike again.

Copyright © Sheenah Large
February 18, 2001