I am sad to report that we lost our dear @MildredCat recently. She had not been right for a while and was losing a lot of weight. It was probably some form of cancer and we did not want her to suffer. We adopted her a few years ago and she was about fifteen years old. She has joined several other cats buried around our garden where she liked to explore.

![Mildred](https://files.peakd.com/file/peakd-hive/steevc/Ep1Xr3teSuPLPURc3qmRirYxooXjisuk4sNqaUT6t6R21FSNs8Euf3DWYRqHhV5V3kD.jpg)

For some time now we have been fostering cats for a local charity whilst they wait to get new homes. They have been living in our spare room. First we had this boy who was quite young. He was not fat, but surprisingly heavy. The previous owners had got an expensive new couch and did not want to risk his scratching it. I would say they have their priorities wrong. A pet is for life. He went to a family with young children, but then came back again soon after as he had scratched a child and brought in a dead bird. That is what cats will do! He did eventually find a 'forever home'. I am not used to male cats and he did have distinct odour about him, but it was not too bad.

![Hefty boy](https://files.peakd.com/file/peakd-hive/steevc/243Bix3RXfC9Do8ihS6bdTWgxKk4VjdqCVuiJkCTwQm2KyPtriRopgv29TeQcd7eHx8hX.jpg)

Next we had this pair who had lived together. The black and white female was very shy and would mostly hide under the bed or drawers. They went to an older lady.

![Pair](https://files.peakd.com/file/peakd-hive/steevc/23x1FBBmhxCEaZJthCnphKymMywsCospMVq7Lrx46qN74kVrinr8AfAJg2cixeHNwcgwr.jpg)

Most recently we took on a mother and five kittens. She was found with them in a stable a few days after giving birth in late August. She was a pretty good mother and looked after them well. One was a fair bit smaller than the others, what we would call a 'runt'. 

![Kittens](https://files.peakd.com/file/peakd-hive/steevc/EoGwSvZK9LGdEvbtM8mfUHuTL3fpbyUxVhVLdayP4qt5WQ7vJn1dKZNkYjzJs6hZzyE.jpg)

Within weeks the kittens had their eyes open and they started trying to explore. They did enjoy running up our legs, which could be painful. We put up various barriers around the landing so they could run around and I would often have them jumping on the bed in the morning chasing each other. They did love to play fight.

![Chaos](https://files.peakd.com/file/peakd-hive/steevc/Eou9ccfSAmTzSrLpXTo75d54dR6H9i5uNPhNQ89JeFMFztGDNuWJhpcyQZn2guHNU76.jpg)

The runt was less active. She seemed to have some issues with her legs and could not walk properly. We wondered if she would grow out of it.

![Tiny cat](https://files.peakd.com/file/peakd-hive/steevc/EoiWiDcmnUsRr7SjDdXbHDLVX8RqMHfZJVnSg2Fspwqz1EEsRkioRkQDcNFVswkFYJH.jpg)

We had various dramas with them escaping downstairs. Mildred was not impressed and would hiss at them, but nobody got hurt.

They had their various inoculations and mother was snipped so she would not have more babies. The kittens will be done too as there are more than enough cats needing homes as it is.

Two boy/girl pairs of kittens went to new homes at around twelve weeks old. We have decided to keep the runt, who has been named Tromie. When we lost Mildred we decided to keep the mother too and she is called Pixie. The charity had a theme of naming cats after rivers and the River Pix runs near us. She still looks after Tromie and we thought they would stay friends. Tromie is still stuggling with walking and the vet thinks it could be a neurological issue. She is also still quite small for her age. We will try to give her the best life we can. She is quite playful and can be feisty. She would take on the others if they bullied her even when they were twice her size.

![Tromie and Steve](https://files.peakd.com/file/peakd-hive/steevc/EpA4Ma4JMD5yAUimiKhdW1HeERwk4jFxHwpUufFDVQRcRoHU2SktrhSjoPn1rg3JtHo.jpg)

Taking on a pet is a responsibility and not to be taken on without serious thought. A cute kitten or puppy will soon grow up and may lose some appeal, but it is a life you have to care for. So many get abandoned or dumped on charities and that is shameful. All our cats have been from such charities as we want to give them a good home. We hope they appreciate that in their own way. I know they do not think anything like humans, and [this article](https://www.theguardian.com/lifeandstyle/2021/dec/08/the-inner-lives-of-cats-what-our-feline-friends-really-think-about-hugs-happiness-and-humans) was interesting.

Pets are family.