Neil's Story:
Neil came to my partner Kit and I in the August of 2001, one hot summers day. We were lying on a blanket sunbathing when suddenly a very skinny and sickly looking cat appeared from nowhere and lay down on the blanket inbetween us. His life as a stray must have exhausted him because he fell fast asleep straight away and when we took an end each of the blanket to move it he did not stir. He completely trusted us from the outset, and by falling asleep inbetween us it was as if he was seeking sanctuary and protection from life on the streets.
We started leaving food for him and he began a determined campaign to get into the house, which we resisted at first, as at that stage a pet was not in our plans. When we went out we would come back to find him sitting patiently waiting for us, and his nature was so lovely that within a short space of time he had claimed us as his owners and he joined our family.
A trip to the vets revealed he was in need of a life saving operation. There were complications and he had to stay as an inpatient for two months. It was touch and go, but Neil, as we had named him (after Neil Armstrong) proved to be a fighter and thankfully pulled through. Even though we had to administer pills and ointments and bandages for ages he still trusted us and never tried to run away or showed any desire to be anywhere other than with us.
Now he is about ten years old and still a really sweet natured cat. He loves to be held and cuddled and is at his happiest in his furry igloo. He gets trampled on occasionally by Alistair and Julian, our two dogs, as they rush about but he still loves to squeeze between them on the sofa at night, where he feels happy and safe.
When he came to us, we lived on a very busy road in a village full of latch key dogs, so life was very stressful for Neil when he was a stray. But shortly after his recovery we moved to a country cottage and now he gets to sit in the sun in peace and safety without a care.
Neil has brought something really special to our lives, we love him very much and he is truly a cat in a million.
